Mika Zibanejad’s hat trick helps Rangers double up Flyers
Mika Zibanejad notched a hat trick to lift the visiting New York Rangers to a much-needed 6-3 win over the Philadelphia Flyers on Saturday afternoon.
Artemi Panarin contributed two goals and an assist for New York, Brennan Othmann scored his first NHL goal and J.T. Miller, Alexis Lafreniere and Vincent Trocheck each registered two assists. Rangers goaltender Spencer Martin finished with 25 saves.
With his second hat trick this month, Zibanejad tied Bill Cook (nine) for the most in franchise history. He also broke the franchise record with his 117th career power-play goal, helping New York snap a five-game losing streak (0-4-1).
Philadelphia entered in a similar slump but watched its skid reach six games (0-5-1). After allowing goals on each of the first three shots he faced, Aleksei Kolosov was pulled in favor of Samuel Ersson, who turned aside 22 shots.
Travis Konecny, Travis Sanheim and Trevor Zegras each had a goal and an assist for the Flyers.
After an early goal by Konecny, the Rangers answered with three tallies in a span of 1 minute, 20 seconds.
Panarin scored on a one-timer off a nice setup by Trocheck before Zibanejad beat Kolosov with a seemingly harmless wrister from the high slot. Othmann scored on a 3-on-1 rush to make it 3-1, ending Kolosov's day.
Ersson came on in relief, but things didn't get any better. New York scored the first three goals of the second period, beginning with two more off the stick of Zibanejad.
His record-breaking power-play goal came off a back-door feed from Panarin. Less than three minutes later, he cashed in off a nice give-and-go with Miller for his 10th career hat trick - and his third against the Flyers.
This one resulted in visiting fans throwing hats on the ice in South Philadelphia.
Panarin tacked on his 18th of the season shortly thereafter to make it 6-1.
Sanheim's short-handed goal late in the second period and Zegras' tally in the third made the final score a bit more respectable.