A day after the second letter goes out, the Rangers play their best game since the Winter Classic. Even with a retool coming, it’s nice to see one in the win column. Mika Zibanejad is one of the best Rangers goal scorers of all time, now officially setting a team record for most powerplay goals in his Rangers career. Brennan Othmann finally got his first NHL goal off a great finish on an odd man rush. His goal also chased Flyers goalie Aleksi Kolosov after allowing 3 goals on 3 shots. There won’t be many more games like this one this season, so enjoy it while you can.
This game starts and ends with Mika Zibanejad’s performance yet again. This man absolutely loves to play the Flyers as today he recorded his 37th, 38th, and 39th points against the Flyers since the 2021 season. On pace now for close to 40 goals and 80 points, Mika has been one of the only consistent bright spots for the Rangers this season. He broke the power play goals record, then moments later tied Bill Cook for the franchise record in hat tricks with nine.
When Zibanejad joined the Rangers 10 years ago it was regarded as a great trade, but few thought he’d have this impact on the organization. Last season was a blip that still sits poorly with many, but over time that wound will heal and his impact and longevity with the Rangers will be remembered. Zibanejad has been an absolutely terrific Ranger, and the stats do not lie.
Brennan Othmann finally broke through after quite the journey with the Rangers. The constant yo-yoing didn’t help, but he also didn’t do much to help himself this season. There’s a reason why it took him so long to get his first NHL goal, but now that he’s finally broken through, you have to wonder if he loosens his grip on his stick and starts getting more. There are many questions surrounding his future, but he helps his own cause if he finally starts putting up points.
Artemi Panarin will be traded, and he could have just faded into the background. Instead, he had a pair of assists in his 800th career game. Panarin will go down as one of the best free agent signings in franchise history (on the ice). He got paid–taking less to come to the Rangers over the Islanders–to make plays and be a difference maker, and over the last 7 years has done just that.
Shoutout to Spencer Martin, who played quite well in his first start since 2024 with Carolina. Dylan Garand is likely being slowly developed, so Martin stepping up while Jonathan Quick has struggled was a pleasant surprise. The Flyers pushed late and Martin stood tall. Overall a fun win for the Rangers, one of the few we will see the rest of the season.
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