New York Rangers star forward reaches franchise milestone with early goal against the Ottawa Senators

During Thursday night's game, Mike Zibanejad opened the scoring against the Ottawa Senators, beating goaltender Leevi Meriläinen with a quick-release shot with the first five minutes of play. The goal was more than a momentum jolt.

With this goal, It pushed Zibanejad into a tie with Ron Greschner for seventh-most points in franchise history at 610, a milestone that reflects his decade-long impact in New York.

The 32-year-old center continues carving out a résumé that places him among the most influential forwards the team has had since the early 2000s. Drafted sixth overall by Ottawa in 2011, he became a Ranger in 2016 and has since produced six 70-point seasons while driving the top power play and anchoring matchups night after night.

Mika Zibanejad's game blends power, patience and an elite shot, but it is his consistency that sets him apart. Even during stretches when the team battles injuries, Zibanejad steadies the group with leadership and quiet competitiveness.

However, the New York Rangers have now won five of their last six games as they have defeated the Ottawa Senators 4-2 on Thursday night. With that said the Rangers will face several high-calibre teams, with the Colorado Avalanche being the next team up and then the Vegas Golden Knights.

For now, though, the story is simple. Another big moment from No. 93, another page added to a remarkable Rangers career.