Zibanejad ends seven-game drought with two goals as Rangers beat Flames 3-1 – Hudson River Blue
Mika Zibanejad rediscovered his scoring touch at the perfect time, striking twice during the second period to lead the New York Rangers past the Calgary Flames 3-1 on Wednesday night.
The victory helped New York rebound from a 3-1 defeat in Edmonton, which had snapped the club’s three-game winning streak. It also provided a welcome boost for a struggling top-six group and a power-play unit searching for consistency.
Zibanejad delivers in the second period
After going seven games without a goal, Zibanejad broke through twice in one period. His second tally became the game-winner at 10:52, when he blasted a one-timer beyond Calgary goaltender Devin Cooley following a cross-ice pass from Pavel Dorofeyev. Alexis Lafreniere earned the secondary assist.
The goal, Zibanejad’s fifth of the season, came during a power play that needed only a few seconds to capitalize. The sequence showcased the quick release that has made the veteran center one of New York’s most dangerous shooters when he is in rhythm.
His two-goal performance offered an encouraging response after a difficult opening stretch in which his offensive production and shooting frequency had declined. For a Rangers lineup in need of more output from its leading forwards, the breakout arrived at an important point in the road trip.
Adam Klapka scored Calgary’s lone goal. Cooley stopped 21 shots, but the defeat ended his five-game home winning streak and moved his record to 5-4-0.
Korpisalo provides stability in goal
Joonas Korpisalo continued to give the Rangers a dependable option in the crease after missing the first 17 games of the season with a lower-body injury. He had been activated from injured reserve on Nov. 6 following his offseason arrival from Boston.
Korpisalo previously made 25 saves in his Rangers debut, a 4-3 victory over Seattle. His return has become especially significant with Igor Shesterkin sidelined for the remainder of the season because of a lower-body injury.
Before Korpisalo became available, Dylan Garand had appeared in 12 consecutive games and started 10 of them. That demanding run included the loss in Edmonton, where an early puck-handling mistake contributed to Connor McDavid’s opening goal.
New face joins the fourth line
Glenn Gawdin also made his Rangers debut after being recalled to strengthen the bottom six. He entered the lineup at fourth-line center, with Eeli Tolvanen and Jaroslav Chmelar expected on his wings.
The transaction followed another injury-related roster move, as defenseman Alberts Smits was placed on injured reserve with an upper-body issue. Smits, selected fifth overall in the 2026 draft, is considered week-to-week.
Gawdin’s addition gives New York another option at center while the coaching staff evaluates its depth roles. With the win in Calgary, the Rangers sit eighth in the Eastern Conference and will continue their trip with a visit to Vancouver.
