Mika Zibanejad made Winter Classic history Friday night, lighting up the scoreboard with an unforgettable five-point performance in the Rangers’ 5-1 win over the Florida Panthers.
The Swedish center became the first player ever to score a hat trick in the NHL’s signature outdoor event.
“It’s pretty special,” Zibanejad said after the game, grinning as he adjusted his winter hat. “The atmosphere was incredible, and to do this with these guys, in front of our fans – you couldn’t write it better.”
He kicked things off with a power-play goal in the first period, giving the Rangers an early lead they wouldn’t surrender.
But he wasn’t done there.
Zibanejad went on to factor into every Rangers goal, capping off his historic night with a short-handed empty-netter that sealed both the win and his hat trick.
The performance couldn’t have come at a better time for the 30-year-old star, who’s faced tough questions about his production over the past couple seasons. As one of New York’s highest-paid players, the pressure has been mounting.
His five-point explosion pushed his season totals to 15 goals and 35 points through 42 games – the kind of numbers Rangers fans have been waiting to see.
“Sometimes you just need a night like this,” Rangers head coach Peter Laviolette said. “The Winter Classic is a big stage, and Mika showed up in a big way.”
The outdoor game, played under the lights at MetLife Stadium, provided the perfect backdrop for Zibanejad’s breakout performance. Thousands of fans braved the cold to witness history, and they weren’t disappointed.
It’s the kind of momentum-building win that could spark both Zibanejad and the Rangers as they head into the second half of the season.
