Rangers’ Mika Zibanejad ties franchise record with PPG in first period of Winter Classic

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Mika Zibanejad made some history in the opening period of the 2026 NHL Winter Classic.

After the Rangers killed off a pair of penalties over the first 10 minutes of the game, they were able to capitalize on their own opportunity to take a 1-0 lead.

Just over a minute and a half into a delay of game penalty, Alexis Lafreniere sent a net-front pass towards Mika Zibanejad, who flicked it by Sergei Bobrovsky for the opening goal.

It was Zibanejad’s 13th of the season, and put him into a tie with old friend Chris Kreider and Camille Henry for the first PPG’s in franchise history.

Kreider, of course, tied that record last season in his final year with the team.

New York would capitalize on the momentum just 64 seconds later, as Artemi Panarin flung a puck through traffic from the point and beat Bobrovsky to make it a 2-0 game.

Zibanejad picked up the primary assist, giving him a two-point first period.

Here’s a look at his record-tying goal…

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