New York. Mika Zibanijad shines like coal during the start of the NHL series.
He scored two new goals, and two new assists, when the New York Rangers beat Anaheim at home at Madison Square Garden last night.
– It’s obviously nice to get such a start, says the new NHL runner-up in scoring for Sportbildet after a 6-4 victory.
He even went on to complete his first hat-trick of the season against the ducks, Mika, but his first goal midway through the second half was later attributed to Kabu Kaku.
Although two goals and two assists are really good – as is the eight points in the first four games.
“Well, when we score six goals, and a lot of power games, you hope to be involved and contribute offensively,” he says with a smile in the locker room afterwards.
– But, of course, it is clear that it is good to make such a start.
Rangers were generally hot in the opening week of the regular season, winning three of their first four games.
“It’s good to get the win straight after the loss to Winnipeg this weekend,” Mika continues.
– Then I think it’s important not to be too negative and criticize too many little things. Like tonight, for example, we’re doing well defensively but giving them a lot of chances. We have to pay attention to correct this, but we know what we have to do to be productive and good in the long run.
That’s Mika – the first Rangers to score twice in their first two home games this season since 1946! – And his teammates who produce the majority of their points in the power game, instead of five over five, don’t worry him.
– If we don’t score in those situations it’s called bad powerplay and when we don’t score five out of five we hear that instead, smiling.
– I think it’s important that we gain speed in PP and if we do the right things in the attack zone, we know that the opponents will eventually be kicked out and then punished. At the same time, it shouldn’t be that we’re waiting for the power game to start.
With his four points in tonight’s game, Mika is an early runner-up in scoring in the National Hockey League. His teammate Artemy Panarin leads with ten points.
