This was the hope when Rangers coach David Quinn first conceived of a new top line with Artemi Panarin, Mika Zibanejad, and Pavel Buchnevich.
The trio hardly disappointed in their preseason debut together, combining for four points, including Panarin scoring twice (one empty-netter), during their 3-1 win over the Islanders on Tuesday night at the Garden. Panarin’s first goal of the game was a beauty, a cross-ice give-and-go with Buchnevich that was buried on a slick one-timer.
“They had a good night, for sure,” Quinn said after his team got its first win of the exhibition season following three straight losses.