Panarin, Zibanejad Chomp Down On Sharks

Getty Images

The Rangers started their west coast trip with a convincing win in Las Vegas and a lackluster loss in Los Angeles. The Rangers followed up their defeat in Tinseltown with a 6-3 victory over the San Jose Sharks.

Artemiy Panarin – The Rangers’ $81.5 million man has been worth every nickel and dime in his early Rangers career, and he continued his fantastic form with a four-point game in Northern California. Panarin for his first goal of the night in the second period, scoring from a sharp angle below the faceoff circle to give the Blueshirts a 2-1 lead.

For an encore, the man affectionately known as Bread scored from a similar spot on the ice, beating Martin Jones from just above the goal line to give the Rangers a 5-3 lead.

Panarin would cap off his third career hat trick, and first against a team other than the Rangers, with an empty-net goal to put the cherry on top of a good team win.

The three goals give Panarin 18 on the season, to go along with 23 assists, including the helper he got in this one. Panarin is on pace for roughly 45 goals and 105 points in bus first year with the Blueshirts.

Mika Zibanejad – The Swedish center got the game-tying and game-winning goals for David Quinn’s squad, and gave Zibanejad his eighth and ninth tallies of the season.

Zibanejad tied the game with a rocket of a wrist shot past a screened Martin Jones from just above the circles.

Zibanejad gave the Rangers some breathing room after some great work in the offensive zone. After Adam Fox kept the puck in the zone, the Rangers went to work in the corners. Eventually, Ryan Strome sent a pass to Zibanejad, who wired the winner behind Jones.

Jesper Fast – The Rangers were trailing entering the second period, but Jesper Fast tied the game at one early in the middle frame. Though Fast is the one getting the praise for scoring, the entire play was set up by Filip Chytil. The 20-year-old Czech center dangled his way around the San Jose defender before sliding the puck to Fast in front for the tying goal.

Marc Staal – The longtime Ranger didn’t score in this one, but he did make a fantastic play to save a goal. After the shot from the point hit the post, the puck ricocheted off of Georgiev and started trickling towards the goal line. However, Marc Staal dove across the ice and into the crease to sweep the puck off the goal line. It was another solid defensive game for the Thunder Bay, Ontario native.

Alexandar Georgiev– He only faced 18 shots in this one, but Georgiev made the big saves when called on. The victory was Georgiev’s ninth of the season as he continues to show off his talents.

Next Game: The Rangers end their road trip in Anaheim with a contest against the Ducks. Puck drops at 4!

LETS GO RANGERS!!

Mentioned in this article::

More About: