“It’s not just that we won, it’s the way we won.”
Mika ZibanejadOpening night summarized well: RangersThey won which is great. However, they gave up 47 shot attempts total to the final. LightningThis had 10 minutes power play time including 1:07 five-on-three.
That’s not only two points, it’s a winning recipe.
Now, it’s hard to project out from this opener. The true Small Sample Size is one game. Let’s not be so focused on what we saw Tuesday night, and let our minds drift a bit to the Rangers stuff.
Mika, Mika, and more Mika
This is one overreaction it feels OK to think about being a season-long thing — Zibanejad was the most dangerous player on the ice at all strengths, including the penalty kill. It’s not often you see a penalty killer outshoot and out chance his opponents, but Zibanejad did just that, with four mid-to-high danger scoring chances for and maybe one against while on the ice killing some of the Lightning’s six power-play chances.
We made a bold prediction earlier Tuesday that Zibanejad would return to leading the Rangers in goals this season, but we didn’t realize he’d try to lead the league as well. His beautiful backhand shot opened the scoring. Zibanejad’s game-winner on power play, a trademark Zibanejad one timer from the off-wing circle was another great for No. 93.
Zibanejad shot 12 times, with nine goals, and was 9 of 13 in faceoff circles.
