Rangers Win Game 1 vs. Hurricanes as Mika Zibanejad’s Playoff Run Impresses NHL Fans

Jared Silber/NHLI via Getty Images

The New York Rangers held off the Carolina Hurricanes to secure a 4-3 victory in the 2024 Stanley Cup Playoffs.

In front of a raucous Madison Square Garden crowd, the Rangers took a 1-0 lead in the second-round series between the two teams.

Both New York and Carolina got off to hot starts, as Mika Zibanejad scored off a smooth feed from Jack Roslovic less than three minutes into the first period. The excitement was short-lived, as Hurricanes defenseman Jaccob Slavin tied the game up just over a minute later.

NHL @NHL

And we are OFF! 🏃🏃‍♀️ #StanleyCup

The @NYRangers open the Game 1 scoring but the @Canes respond right away!

🇺🇸: @espn ➡️ https://t.co/Pp9X7OGP3W
🇨🇦: @Sportsnet or stream on Sportsnet+ ➡️ https://t.co/sEijvXhbA1 pic.twitter.com/w4Ht9eamQf

The Rangers continued to execute in power-play situations, as Zibanejad secured his second goal of the evening after Canes defenseman Tony DeAngelo picked up a roughing penalty. The Presidents’ Trophy winners weren’t done just yet, as Vincent Trocheck scored another power-play goal before the end of the period.

B/R Open Ice @BR_OpenIce

MIKA CASHES IN ON THE POWER PLAY 🗽 pic.twitter.com/dwFeFkLl3s

B/R Open Ice @BR_OpenIce

Special teams, special power plays…

Rangers have their SECOND PPG of the first period 👀 pic.twitter.com/mhutGeLdq8

After a scoreless second period, both teams traded goals to start the third before Seth Jarvis scored to pull Carolina to within one goal. However, New York was able to maintain the team’s 4-3 lead over the final minute and 45 seconds of play.

Fans were impressed with the Rangers as well as the continued strong play of Zibanejad, who racked up two goals and an assist on Sunday after leading the team in points during the first round.

NHL Network @NHLNetwork

It’s Mika May at MSG!

Two goals and one assist for Mika Zibanejad in the opening 20 of Game 1! @NYRangers | #NYR | #StanleyCup pic.twitter.com/m580Kg4cNT

StatMuse NHL @statmusehockey

Mika Zibanejad in the Game 1 win:

3 points
2 goals
1 assist

Happy Cinco de Mika. pic.twitter.com/hQAuyW00Xd

Ryan Whitney @ryanwhitney6

Rangers have been an incredible team all year with Zibanejad having an “off year”. If he heats up like this look out.

Avery Zaretsky @averyzaretsky

MIKA ZIBANEJAD!!! WHAT A START!!! THAT FEED FROM JACK ROSOLVIC WAS BEAUTIFUL!!! YEAH BABY!!!

Chris Manno @Mann_O_Steel17

Rangers Power Play is SO RIDICULOUS!!!

And Mika Zibanejad w 2G’s and and Assist in the 1st Period!?

LFG!!!#nyr

Matty Jack @Matty__jack

MAY I INTEREST YOU IN MIKA MAY pic.twitter.com/hEkzraqE90

p-NYR Louie ™️ @NYRLouie

Mika Zibanejad is my hero. #NYR

Dan Rosen @drosennhl

Mika Zibanejad went from tied for 12th in playoff scoring to tied for second with his three points on two goals and an assist in the first period. He now has 10 points (three goals, seven assists), the same as Leon Draisaitl and two fewer than Connor McDavid.

The 31-year-old recorded his 16th multi-point game in the playoffs for the Rangers, putting him in a tie with Rod Gilbert for the third-highest mark in franchise history.

NY Rangers PR @NYR_PR

With his second goal of the game, Mika Zibanejad has tied Rod Gilbert for the third most multi-point games in Rangers playoff history (16).

The Rangers will now attempt to jump out to a 2-0 series lead, hosting the Hurricanes in Game 2 on Tuesday.

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