Mats Zuccarello and Alexis Lafreniere score 1st NHL goals

During this long summer, let’s take another stroll down memory lane to revisit two Rangers players from different eras who scored their first goals with the team. First up is Mats Zuccarello, who netted his inaugural NHL goal against the Carolina Hurricanes on January 5th, 2011. Zuccarello scored 3:09 into overtime, securing a hard-fought 2-1 victory for the Rangers.

The five-foot-seven Norwegian forward found the net in his sixth NHL game, pouncing on a rebound after Brandon Dubinsky’s charge toward goalie Cam Ward. Zuccarello managed to score from a nearly impossible angle on the goal line, driving the puck under the crossbar.

Additionally, Zuccarello and Dubinsky both assisted on Matt Gilroy’s goal, which broke a scoreless tie 8:41 into the third period.

Next, we look at Alexis Lafrenière, who scored his first goal in a world very different from the one when Zuccarello scored his in 2011, yet shares a special connection with the former Norwegian Ranger.

On January 28th, 2021, the Rangers faced the Buffalo Sabres at an empty KeyBank Center due to COVID-19 pandemic restrictions.

Lafrenière netted his first NHL goal during a 3-2 overtime victory. Still seeking his first NHL point when overtime began, it took just 2:47 for the No. 1 overall pick to seize his moment. Following several near misses earlier in the game, Lafrenière scored the game-winner on a pass from Colin Blackwell, providing the Rangers with a much-needed boost.

This made him the first Ranger to score his first NHL goal in overtime since Mats Zuccarello did on January 5th, 2011. Additionally, Lafrenière became the youngest player in NHL history to score his first career goal in overtime at 19 years and 109 days old.