FANTASTIC FINNISH

KAKKO’S 1ST OVERTIME WINNER LIFTS RANGERS

As Mika Zibanejad’s upper-body/neck injury lingers, the Rangers remain optimistic he will be returning to the lineup soon.

The top-line center missed a seventh straight game Tuesday night, when his team beat the Penguins, 3-2 in overtime at the Garden. Zibanejad is also set to miss the two-game swing through Florida — at the Lightning on Thursday and at the Panthers on Saturday.

Coach David Quinn didn’t want to be specific about a possible return date, but he did think that Zibenjad was going to be with the team in relatively short order.

“I don’t have a date,” Quinn said, “but I don’t think it’s going to be long term.”

Zibanejad was hurt on a reverse-hit from the Bruins’ Patrice Bergeron on Oct. 27, initially returning for one shift before exiting the game. He has skated a few times on his own and has had a few informal skates with teammates in a non-contact jersey.

But now Quinn said Zibanejad is “getting a little rest,” the hope being that when he does come back, it’s not another start-and-stop. The Rangers return from Florida for a matchup against the Capitals next Wednesday, followed by a backto-back in Ottawa and Montreal starting Nov. 22.

“Some injuries are unpredictable,” Quinn said, “and he’s got one that is unpredictable.”

Goalie Alexandar Georgeiv was solid in making 30 stops in his first start since Nov. 4, having backed up Henrik Lundqvist for the past three. “He made saves when he had to,” Quinn said, “which is always key when you’re playing a team with that talent.”

Winger Artemi Panarin collected an assist on Adam Fox’s f irst-period goal, tying his career-high points streak of nine games. During that streak, Panarin has four goals and nine assists.

Following a dreadful performance at the faceoff circle on Sunday, the Rangers had a great third period against the Penguins, winning 12 of 15 draws, and finished with a .490 win percentage. They had gone 4 of 16 in the first period, and then 10 of 30 through 40 minutes.

The Rangers’ lineup was the same as it was for Sunday night’s 6-5 shootout loss to the Panthers, meaning Micheal Haley was the only healthy scratch.