The New York Rangers had not put together a complete game through the early season.
On Tuesday night, the Rangers got just that in a 5-2 win over the Florida Panthers.
Mika Zibanejad scored twice and had four points in the win.
“I think we were shooting pucks,” Zibanejad said. “We got shots on goal and pucks to the net and it’s not much more difficult than that. … It took us a little bit of time in the second but after that, we got going and scored a few power play goals as well, so it helped.”
Mats Zuccarello also scored twice and Kevin Hayes added an empty net goal late.
“It was big,” Zuccarello said. “We had a terrible first period. … Obviously to get a PK goal is a huge boost for the team.”
Alexandar Georgiev made 36 saves to pick up the win.
Vincent Trocheck gave the Panthers a 1-0 lead in the first period and Mike Hoffman scored in the third.
“It’s hard to take positives out of that,” defenseman Aaron Ekblad said. “For some reason, we have a tough time holding onto leads. Once we get that lead, we aren’t playing aggressive enough.”
Zibanejad tied a career high for points in a game with the four Tuesday.
“He’s a complete player,” Rangers coach David Quinn said. “I knew he was a good player before I got this job; I didn’t know he was this good. This is a guy who does a little bit of everything. He’s got skill, he’s tough he can skate. … We are lucky to have him.”
[WATCH: All Panthers vs. Rangers highlights]
Michael Hutchinson got the start for Florida but looked soft most of the game (15 saves); he was pulled in the third period and replaced by James Reimer made two saves.
“It’s not like the guys don’t care. It’s not like they’re not trying hard, and it’s not like they’re not battling together. … When we give something up, it’s going into the back of our net right now and we have to learn how to deal with that,” Panthers head coach Bob Boughner said after the loss.
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