The Florida Panthers put forth a solid effort for most of last night’s 6-2 loss to the New York Rangers, but a costly (and unnecessary) cross-checking penalty by Nick Cousins late in the first period led to a power-play one-timer from Mika Zibanejad that gave the Rangers a lead they simply would not relinquish. Zibanejad would also score New York’s fifth tally, 14 seconds after Alexis Lafrenière made it 4-1 with a greasy goal from the crease.
The efficient Rangers made Alex Lyon look every bit the AHL call-up, beating him five times on 25 shots.