Alberts Šmits leads New York Rangers to 5-1 win over Tampa Bay Lightning

The New York Rangers secured their first win of the NHL season with a 5-1 victory over the Tampa Bay Lightning. Latvian defenseman Alberts Šmits played a significant role in the win, recording a +3 plus-minus rating, the highest among the visiting players. Šmits logged 14 minutes and 9 seconds of ice time, contributing a blocked shot and a hit.

In the same game, Latvian forward Zemgus Girgensons played 7 minutes and 39 seconds for the Lightning, finishing with a -1 rating. The Rangers' victory was bolstered by offensive contributions from Pavel Dorofeyev and Mika Zibanejad, both of whom recorded a goal and an assist, while Adam Fox added two assists.

Goaltender Igor Shesterkin made 23 saves on 25 shots (96%) and became only the 18th goaltender in NHL history to score a goal during a game, netting an empty-net goal to seal the win.