Mika Zibanejad is having one heckuva start to the season for the New York Rangers.
Sure, there are lots of bright shiny new things to talk about, but Zibanejad is lighting up.
On Saturday night, Zibanejad netted a hat trick in a 4-1 win over the Senators in Ottawa.
“It’s (Ottawa) where I started,” Zibanejad said. “It’s where I got my first opportunity to play in the NHL, and I’m really thankful for that. And then to come here and do that, it’s going to be a night I’ll remember for a long time.”
The new was not left out, Artemi Panarin netted a goal in the victory as well.
“Sometimes that line [of Zibanejad, Panarin and Buchnevich] looks like they’re playing a video game,” New York defenseman Marc Staal said. “They just hit a couple buttons, tape to tape, back door and it looks pretty. It’s a huge advantage to have them playing like that, and then having a power play that’s scoring like that.”
Alexandar Georgiev made 31 saves for the win.
“The guys played great today,” Georgiev said. “I saw most of the shots. The one that went in, I got a little tangled up. But otherwise, the guys boxed out pretty well and let me see the shots.”
Brady Tkachuk scored the lone Senators goal.
The Rangers scored twice on the power play and Zibanejad had an even strength, power play and shorthanded goal on the night.
“Tonight, special teams certainly killed us,” Ottawa head coach D.J. Smith said. “We gave up a shorthanded goal, we gave up two on the power play, so essentially their big dogs kind of took it to us tonight.”
Zibaejad has four goals and four assists on the season.
“I can’t really explain what’s going on right now,” Zibanejad said. “I’m playing with good teammates and unbelievable players out there. I’m getting a lot of chances and now they’re going in. I’ll try to take advantage of that as much as I can.”
[WATCH:Â All Rangers vs. Senators highlights]
Craig Anderson made 26 saves in taking the loss.
“I think we just keep on making little mistakes and missing little details in the [offensive] zone on where guys should be and where we should not be,” Thomas Chabot said after the loss. “At the end of the day, that’s a big part of my game and I take pride in the power play, and obviously right now it’s disappointing we’re not doing it the right way. So, we’re going to have to take a hard look at it and make sure that next game we’re ready.”
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