First Period:
- Alexis Lafreniere (1) Assists: Artemi Panarin (1), Filip Chytil (1)
- Chris Kreider (1) (Power Play) Assists: Adam Fox (1), Mika Zibanejad (1)
Second Period:
- Artemi Panarin (1) Unassisted
- JJ Peterka (1) Assists: Owen Power (1), Henri Jokiharju (1)
Third Period:
Ad
- Chris Kreider (2) (Shorthanded) Assists: Mika Zibanejad (2), K’Andre Miller (1)
- Jacob Trouba (1) (Empty Net) Assists: Chris Kreider (1), Mika Zibanejad (3)
Stats:
Adam Rotter:
- That was certainly a nice way to start the season.
- Top to bottom this was an excellent team effort and team win. They blocked shots, defended extremely well and got production from all the top guys.
- But you have to start with how strong Alexis Lafreniere, Filip Chytil and Artemi Panarin looked. They combined on goals 1 and 3, worked hard, created a bunch of chances and looked like a very formidable line. It was only about 15 minutes of ice time for them in the first game of the season, but Panarin looked very strong after injuries and a lackluster preseason, and Lafreniere looked strong, confident, and a lot like the player we saw in the playoffs two years ago. They need to bring this same effort in Columbus and against Arizona on Monday and on and on, but you couldn’t really have asked for a better start.
- Mika Zibanejad and Chris Kreider are in midseason form already and there was physicality and a different level of determination and structure than we saw the past two years.
- All those blocked shots brought flashbacks of the John Tortorella Rangers.
- It was one game, but it was a very impressive performance. They controlled the game and until they got into some penalty trouble in the third, they really limited the Sabres and their high level scoring. It was just nice to see the Rangers play with structure and with a certain level of a team concept.
- Igor Shesterkin was fine and that was just about all they needed tonight.
- They look to start 2-0 on Saturday in Columbus against the Blue Jackets.