Just four months after being eliminated in the Eastern Conference finals by the Tampa Bay Lightning, the New York Rangers exercised some of their demons on Tuesday. Behind a pair of goals from star center Mika Zibanejad, the Rangers topped the Lightning 3-1 in Tuesday’s season opener.
With his second goal, Zibanejad became the sixth player in Rangers history to record at least 10 career points in a season opener. Zibanejad joined the likes of Walt Tkaczuk (13), Andy Bathgate (13), Rod Gilbert (13), Mark Messier (12) and Jean Ratelle (10).
Zibanejad’s second goal ended up being the game-winner, putting New York up 2-1 at 5:11 of the third period. The 29-year-old scored a power-play goal as he picked off a one-on-ice pass from teammate Chris Kreider after Lightning forward Alex Killorn had lost his stick.
After a scoreless first period, Zibanejad took a long pass from teammate Jacob Trouba and scored a beautiful, short-handed goal past Andrei Vasilevskiy to open the scoring just 3:25 into the second period with a goal from short.
About six minutes later, the Lightning were able to earn penalties on Rangers defenseman K’Andre Miller and forward Barclay Goodrow. After a faceoff from Brayden Point, Lightning star Steven Stamkos was able to rip a shot past Igor Shesterkin up top.
The Rangers added an insurance goal with 9:00 to go courtesy of Goodrow on a point shot by defenseman Ryan Lindgren.
