The Rangers maintained an unblemished outdoor record, thanks in large part to their standout players.
Mika Zibanejad recorded his first-ever hat trick in a Winter Classic, breaking a record with five points overall.
Meanwhile, Artemi Panarin, with two goals and an assist, heightened his tally of outdoor games to seven, matching the NHL record for most appearances.
Vincent Trocheck notably excelled, boasting a faceoff win percentage of 53.9, paired with two assists.
Goaltender Igor Shesterkin didn’t disappoint either, saving 36 shots, and joining an exclusive group of nine goalies with multiple outdoor victories.
However, the much-anticipated win wouldn’t come easily without Alexis Lafreniere’s contributions.
Lafreniere was integral to the Rangers’ first three goals, displaying skill and consistency throughout the game. It marked his first three-assist outing, tying him for the NHL record for most assists in an outdoor game.
“He has incredible skills outdoors,” Zibanejad commented on Lafreniere. “Great initial play there. It was just a fantastic breakout, with a superb pass from Ruff. I thought everyone was firing—we had some energy, which was beneficial.”
The Rangers certainly need Lafreniere to keep this momentum going—not just sporadically.
He’s not the only player the team is leaning on for greater output, but Lafreniere has been given ample chances in top-six and power-play roles this season.
Still, he hasn’t scored in 28 of his 43 games this season. For about 34 percent of those games, he didn’t even register a shot on goal.
Lafreniere, the first overall pick in 2020, tends to blend into the background more often than not.
His performance from Friday night showcased that the 24-year-old can be crucial in helping the Rangers elevate their game when it matters. The team will need more consistent efforts from him if they hope to return to the playoffs.
“I thought our best players showed up tonight,” said head coach Mike Sullivan. “They made significant contributions on both ends of the ice. Special teams were a major factor. We found some timely power-play goals, and the penalty kill did well. Having a three-point lead is a bit nerve-wracking these days. A three-point lead can vanish quickly, and maintaining that level of intensity is a constant battle.”
Sullivan emphasized the importance of the moments following the opponent’s power-play goal, stating, “Those next few minutes were crucial. We needed to elevate our intensity, which led to our own power-play opportunities and ultimately big goals.”
