New York @ Ottawa preview

Last Meeting ( Apr 3, 2019 ) Ottawa 4, NY Rangers 1

Mika Zibanejad took center stage and offseason acquisitions Artemi Panarin and Jacob Trouba flourished in supporting roles as the New York Rangers received rave reviews on their first night on Broadway. Zibanejad looks to ride the momentum of a career high-tying four-point performance into a date against his former team on Saturday as the Rangers visit the Ottawa Senators.

Zibanejad didn't miss a beat after recording career highs in goals (30), assists (44), points (74), games played (82) and average ice time (20:34) last season by scoring a goal and setting up three others in Thursday's 6-4 victory over Winnipeg. The 26-year-old Swede set up Panarin's power-play goal early in the second period and converted a feed in the third from the offensive-minded Trouba to provide some spring in his step as he visits Ottawa, with which he spent his first five NHL seasons. D.J. Smith's debut as an NHL coach was an unsuccessful one as the rebuilding Senators dropped a 5-3 season-opening decision versus Toronto -- the team with which he was an assistant the past four seasons. "We've got to get better every day and our identity is going to be how hard we work," Smith said. "We've done that through exhibition, we do it in practice a little bit now and we have to continue that on."

TV: 7 p.m. ET, MSG (New York), CITY (Ottawa)

ABOUT THE RANGERS (1-0-0): While Zibanejad was pleased with his performance in the season opener, the forward appeared even more impressed with the NHL debut of second overall pick Kaapo Kakko. "It looks to me like he doesn't get nervous," Zibanejad told the New York Post of the 18-year-old Finn, who registered three shots on goal in 15:51 of ice time, including 2:19 on the power play. "I don't know, his age, his first game, he just seemed so calm and composed. He always seems that way. The way he carries himself, his self-esteem is high in an appropriate way. I'm just looking forward to watching him and playing with him as his career goes forward." Tony DeAngelo set up Marc Staal's goal in the first period to pick up where he left off last season, as he led Rangers defensemen in points (30) and tied for first among the team's blue-liners in assists (26).

ABOUT THE SENATORS (0-1-0): Scott Sabourin spent seven seasons toiling in the American Hockey League and made the most of his professional tryout to earn a roster spot, but the 27-year-old's life got even sweeter after he scored his first career NHL goal in the season opener. "It's been a long time coming and it was definitely a sigh of relief," Sabourin said, per the Ottawa Sun. "I'm just happy for my family who supported me a long time and my fiancee who has been by my side. I'm just trying to take it as it comes in right now. When I go out and see my family it might sink in a bit." Brady Tkachuk, who also tallied on Wednesday, collected a goal and three assists in three games versus the Rangers last season after being selected with the fourth overall pick of the 2018 NHL Draft.

OVERTIME

1. Ottawa G Craig Anderson boasts a 13-7-3 record with five shutouts, a 1.79 goals-against average and a .942 save percentage in 24 career starts against New York.

2. Panarin, who scored and set up a goal in his season debut, notched four assists in three games versus the Senators in 2018-19.

3. Ottawa RW Bobby Ryan, who scored in the season opener, netted a power-play goal in a 4-1 win over the Rangers on April 3.

PREDICTION: Rangers 3, Senators 2