New York. Mika Zibanijad got the feeling again and was responsible for the goal and assists.
Therefore, the New York Rangers were able to break their four-game losing streak in Texas on Saturday.
“It was a little frustrating that the pucks didn’t want to go in, either for me or the team, so that was really cool,” the star center told Sportbladet after the 6-3 win.
After a promising start to the season, things came together a bit during Weeks 2 and 3 for the Manhattan favorites. They played, at least occasionally, well but failed to score and thus lost four games in a row.
– This is the big difference compared to the beginning of last year. Then we played really badly but won anyway, he says Mika Zibanjad With laughter when we catch up after Saturday against Dallas stars.
– This introduction is a favorite. Of course we want two points per game, but as long as we play with this quality we know we will win in the long run.
Like in Texas. There finally came the ice breaker. The swing and open match tied 3-3 after two periods. The guests from the northeast then turned the tap, scoring three goals in a row and winning the eventual 6-3.
– It was a very important victory, which we really needed, continues Mika.
– Of course, it was also good to get profits. It was a little disappointing that the pucks didn’t want to get in, either for me or the team.
Fly straight to Phoenix
Yes, the 29-year-old from southern Stockholm, before the trip to Dallas, left the ice without a point four nights in a row, but against the stars he scored the fifth goal of the season and was also responsible for two goals. Ingenious passes. It was the last goal, that of new teammate Vincent Trochek’s 6-3 – a totally unexpected little touch in front of the penalty area – that poetry can write about.
“I had a good position shooting myself, but I knew he was there and I understood that everyone thought I was going to shoot, so I felt it was a good choice,” he says.
The special goal, at the start of the second half, often came into the power game – but required Mika to find his way into the penalty area and drive the ball. He was not allowed to use his superb direct shot. The opponents realized how dangerous it was, so he became more or less distinguished by numerical superiority.
– In powerplay, I don’t get much space, no. But better than that, we have four other players on the ice who can also score, so if they spend too much time dealing with me, they have to blame themselves, then someone else is putting in the disc.
The Rangers flew right after the final whistle to Phoenix, where they will face the Wolves at Mullet Arena Monday night.