MIAMI — Minutes after the New York Rangers win in the Winter Classic at loanDepot Park, it would have been hard to miss the smile on James Dolan’s face as he walked out of the locker room.
There’s no truth to the rumor the franchise owner was rushing out to cut the roof off of Madison Square Garden before the team’s next game.
The Blueshirts remain undefeated in outdoor games after their 5-1 victory over the two-time defending Stanley Cup Champions on Friday night, having now won their first six contests in which there isn’t a roof over their heads, dating back to the 2012 Winter Classic in Philadelphia.
The windows and roof of the regular home of the Miami Marlins were opened just minutes before the opening faceoff, but conditions were never really a concern given a spotless night and 61 degree temperatures. It doesn’t seem like it would have much mattered anyway; Mika Zibanejad’s power play goal at the 15:09 mark of the first period seemed to permanently shift the momentum of the game in his team’s favor, and he finished the first hat trick and five-point night in event history with a late empty-netter to seal the win.
“Undefeated outdoors, that was a big one for us, so we didn’t have to be part of the first losing team,” Zibanejad quipped.
For the first time in seemingly a long time for a team that was coming in on a three-game losing streak, the Rangers best players were their best players; Zibanejad’s five-point effort rightfully overshadowed Artemi Panarin scoring twice, Igor Shesterkin’s 36-save night, two assists from Vincent Trocheck and three assists from Alexis Lafreniere.
“It was obviously a cool game,” Lafreniere said. “Just before the game and walking out was pretty unreal. It was a big game for us too, so it was fun to get two points.”
Two badly needed points, but two points they got by being carried by the team’s stars on a night where they were missing multiple players due to injury.
“Obviously, when our top players end up on the scoresheet the way they did, I think it puts our team in the best position to win,” said Rangers head coach Mike Sullivan. “I thought our best players were our very best players tonight…obviously, that’s a huge win for us.”
But in the end, the MVP trophy for the Winter Classic went to Zibanejad, who started the day by being named to the Swedish Olympic Team and ended it with a trophy and blinged-out necklace around his neck to take home after his big night.
“Hat trick, five points, what am I supposed to say,” asked Rangers defenseman Vladislav Gavrikov. “He’s a hero.”
The always-humble Zibanejad wasn’t quite willing to put it in those terms, but was pleased to be able to contribute to what the team hopes is a potentially season-altering win.
“Obviously, the chances and the passes that I got, I don’t know what else to do but shoot, and luckily they went in,” he said. “We got the win, and it was an important one. These events are a lot more fun and a lot more memorable when you win.”
