New York. Mika Zibanjad in a thunderous new shallow water.
Last night he decided to duel the Rangers away from home against Arizona – just one day after the three points in Dallas.
It was a tough match and often the power match we decided on. Very nice, he told Sportbladet after the 3-2 win.
Apparently, all it took was a quick but long trip west for the New York Rangers to get their season back on track.
When they left Manhattan last Friday, four straight losses dented their entire existence, but on Saturday they saved a massive 6-3 victory over Dallas and last night they followed up with their 3-2 win over Arizona – and fell into one. Pounce on them for second place at the Metropolitan table.
– Yes, it was a good trip and a good day. This was another great and important victory, it feels really good to be able to come home with these points. Mika Zibanjad On the phone from the plane just before it took off for the flight back to New York.
He had an excellent weekend for himself too, the Swedish Centre. In front of the stars, he scored a goal and two excellent assists – and last night Al Hadath decided to score his sixth goal of the season in a tough game barely 13 minutes into the third half.
– Yes, it was a tough match and it was often “special teams” that decided, continues the champion of the match.
– You got a great pass from Chris Kreider. I got a similar one from him against Dallas, but then I got close to their backs and didn’t get a shot. So it was good to see it’s working now.
Tonight’s visit was the Rangers’ first visit to the Mullet Arena – the new Coyotes Stadium, which seats just under 5,000 spectators, at the University outside Phoenix.
– It was a very special experience. I don’t know what to say, it’s been a long time since I’ve played in such a small hall. But we always have a lot of fans on our side when we come here and there was more pressure in this tight environment,” says Mika.
It’s going really well at the Toronto Maple Leafs. They suffered their fourth loss in a row last night – against an unwinn Anaheim since opening night at the beginning of the month.
It looked very promising when Calle Järnkrok, at a disadvantage 45 seconds into the third inning, tipped to score 3-1, but it wasn’t enough. The ducks came back and tied – after which young artist Trevor Zegras was able to make the decision in overtime.
Now there are whispers that Coach Sheldon How might be unemployed.
– But nothing matters to me, I only focus on what I can control, he says when he receives questions about it.
Jacob Silverberg scored one of Anaheim’s goals, after work by Isaac Lundstrom, and William Nylander had two passes for the Maple Leafs.
Sweden defender Philip Ross earned his first NHL point, in the form of an assist, when the Chicago Blackhawks hosted the Minnesota Wild at their home in United Center last night.
He was responsible for good preparatory work before captain Jonathan Toyos made it 2-2 midway through the second half.
At the final whistle, the score was 3-3, then Al-Haridah decided on a penalty shootout.
Joel Erickson Eck contributed assistance.
Also in Vegas, between the Golden Knights and the Winnipeg Jets, she was restricted to full time. But there Jacques Eichel was able to take the decision 2-1 already during extra time.