Rangers unload Frustrations on the Flyers

Scored six straight after allowing the opening goal

Philadelphia, PA- The New York Rangers started their four-game road trip south of the New Jersey Turnpike and I-95 against the Philadelphia Flyers. Once the Rangers entered the building and started play, they went behind, but right away took the game over and blitzed the Flyers for six straight goals in the first two periods, to end their five-game losing streak and win the game by a final score of six to three.

Three goals in 1:20

After the Flyers took the lead on a poor pass from Valdislav Gavrikov, the Flyers attacked, and Travis Konecny scored off the post, and in at 6:22 of the first period, the Rangers quickly went to work and buzzed around the Flyers’ zone, scoring at will. Artemi Panarin tied the game, then Mika Zibanejad took the lead. But the big moment of the first period was when they took the two-goal lead.

After the Rangers knocked the puck off the Flyers’ sticks, Will Cuylle collected the puck at the far boards and went on a two-on-one rush. AS they entered the Flyers’ zone, Cuylle made the cross-ice pass to the near side toward Brennen Othmann for a one-time shot that beat Alexsei Kosolov at 8:25 of the first period, which signaled Kosolov’s exit, and entering the game was Samuel Ersson.

Mika Zibanejad makes history and selects a hat

For the second time this season and the second time in a span of seven games, Mika Zibanejad has converted a Hat Trick. He has officially converted his ninth Rangers Hat Trick, tying him with former Ranger Bill Cook. He also made history by scoring his 117th Rangers career Power Play Goal in the second Period passing Camille Henry and his former teammate Chris Kreider.

The first goal was scored when Braden Schnieder kept the puck in the zone along the near boards. Made the touch pass to Zibanejad, then passed it down low to J.T. Miller. Zibanejad repositioned himself to the high slot, took the pass from Miller, and blasted it inside the near post at 7:26 of the first period.

His next two goals came in the second period, the first one was on the power play when Vincent Trocheck was at the top of the Flyers’ zone, passed it down low to the near side at Panarin, then he made a quick cross ice pass to Zibanejad, who smashed the shot past Ersson to make it four straight goals and his second of the game at 5:38 and his 20th of the season.

His hat trick was complete. Scott Morrow was at the far boards by the Rangers’ bench in center ice. He dug the puck out and passed it to Zibanejad, who attacked on a two-on-one with Miller. Both men passed the puck to each other, and it was Zibanejad who roofed it as he earned his 21st of the season at 8:25.

Panarin gets two of his own

Just like he scored two goals with Zibanejad’s Hat trick at the Winter Classic, Artemi Panarin scored a pair himself inthis game to open and close the scoring for the Rangers. After Panarin entered the zone, he left the puck for Alexis Lafreniere to control. He dropped it off for Vincent Trocheck at the near side, quickly made the cross ice pass to Panarin, and had a wide open net to score his first of the game at 7:05 of the first period.

His second goal was after Zibanejad’s hat trick when Lafreniere took the puck away from the Flyers at the near boards. He quickly saw Panarin inside the near faceoff circle, then a quick snapshot from Panarin went inside the far upper corner and beat Ersson at 14:31 of the second period. From that point on, it was all defense for the Rangers to win the game.

Spencer Martin gets the start

Spencer Martin started in goal for the Rangers, and he earned his first win with the club. While he wasn’t that busy in the first two periods, he had plenty of work in the third to make several strong saves with his pads and his blocker. Martin made 25 saves out of 28 shots, and this performance felt like a tryout for the backup goaltender position for next season.

Strong performance from start to finish

After getting beaten badly in two of the last three games, it was finally the Rangers’ turn to deliver a performance like that against a different opponent. From the puck drop in the first period to the final horn of the third, this was a complete game, and they showed more urgency and readiness to earn the full two points.

“I just think it speaks volumes for the character of the people in the room. The last couple of days have been pretty emotional for the whole group. To respond with an effort like they did tonight, you know, for me, I think, is evidence that these guys are quality people. And they care a lot about each other and about the Rangers. And so I’ve said to you guys all along how much these guys care, and I meant it sincerely.

So I couldn’t be happier for them because obviously it’s, you know, it’s been a tough couple of weeks here. And, you know, these guys are competing hard, and they want to have success. So I’m really happy for the players. But as I said to you guys the last little while here, it’s not because the guys don’t care. It’s just the complete opposite. It’s because they do care, and everybody does.

What’s involved with this team is completely invested in so many ways. And when we don’t have success, it gets heavy, and everybody feels it. I thought today was a more spirited effort, just as far as our ability to play a more instinctive game. I thought we were more assertive. For a lot of the game, I thought, ‘Give Philly credit, they pushed there down the stretch, and we were on our heels a little bit down the stretch

But for a lot of the game, I thought it was the most assertive game. We’ve played in all three zones, just as far as anticipating plays and playing on our toes and making decisions with conviction. And there wasn’t as much hesitation out there. You know, it’s hard to play this game when you’re not in an instinctive mindset, and that’s been our challenge, you know, most recently that we’ve been trying to overcome. And I thought today they did a great job at it,” said Head Coach Mike Sullivan

ROAD RANGERS: The Rangers improved their road record to 16-9-2. Their 16 road wins this season rank second among all teams in the NHL, and their 34 road points and 12 regulation road wins both rank third.

POWER PLAYERS: The Blueshirts notched their 27th power play goal of the season and their 10th since Dec. 23. In that time span, their 35.7 power play percentage leads the league, and their 10 power play goals are tied for the fourth most among all teams.

MULTI-POINT PLAYERS: Five Rangers skaters recorded a multi-point game against the Flyers: Mika Zibanejad (3G), Artemi Panarin (2G-1A), Vincent Trocheck (2A), Alexis Lafreniere (2A), and J.T. Miller (2A).

MIKE SULLIVAN: Earned his 500th career win as a head coach. He reached this milestone in 966 games, the 12th fewest games among all head coaches in NHL history. He is one of four active head coaches to have notched the feat.

MIKA ZIBANEJAD: Set the franchise record with the most power play goals in Rangers history with his 117th as a Blueshirt. He became the first active player to lead an Original Six franchise in power-play goals. With his second hat trick of the season and his ninth as a Ranger, he tied Bill Cook for the most hat tricks in franchise history. He extended his point streak to eight-straight games (9G-8A), the third-longest active streak in the league, and became the fourth Rangers player to record nine 20-goal seasons with the team.

ARTEMI PANARIN: Skated in his 800th career NHL game and extended his point streak to nine-straight games (4G-12A), the second-longest active streak in the league. He notched his 67th three-point game as a Ranger, tied with Jean Ratelle for the third most such games in franchise history. His nine-game assist streak is the longest active in the league and is tied for the longest of his career (2023-24).

J.T. MILLER: Has tallied two assists in back-to-back games (4A) and has recorded six points (1G-5A) since returning to the ice on Jan. 8 after missing seven games due to injury.

BRENNAN OTHMANN: Scored his first career NHL goal.

SPENCER MARTIN: Made his first start and earned his first win as a Ranger.

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