Just four months after being eliminated in the Eastern Conference final 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 season-opening games. 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-winning tally as it put New York ahead 2-1 at the 5:11 mark of the third period. The 29-year-old scored a power-play goal as he ripped a one-timer off a cross-ice pass from teammate Chris Kreider after Lightning forward Alex Killorn had lost his stick.
After a scoreless first period, Zibanejad received a long pass from teammate Jacob Trouba and deposited a beautiful, top shelf shorthanded goal past Andrei Vasilevskiy to open the scoring just 3:25 into the second period with a short-handed goal.
About six minutes later, the Lightning were able to cash in on penalties to both Rangers defenseman K’Andre Miller and forward Barclay Goodrow. Following a face-off win by Brayden Point, Lightning star Steven Stamkos was able to rip a shot past Igor Shesterkin up high.
The Rangers added an insurance goal with 9:00 to go courtesy of Goodrow tipping in a point shot from defenseman Ryan Lindgren.