New York. Mika Zibanejad had a dream to start the new year.
Scored two goals as the New York Rangers defeated the Panthers in South Florida.
– Of course, it’s good to start this way. Especially when every point means so much, the 29-year-old midfielder told Sportbladet after the 5-3 win.
Once things go sour for Mika Zibanejad, all dams tend to break – and this suggests that 2023 could be the year of the Stockholm Rangers superstar.
Because it’s hot now. He scored the only Rangers goal against Tampa before the New Year and followed that up with his seventeenth and eighteenth hits of the season against Florida at Sunrise on New Year’s Day.
At 14.36 of the first period, he broke through two Panthers defenders and dropped the ball somewhat fatally behind Sergej Bobrosvky, and at 10.30 in the second period, scored 2-0 from the “wrong” tie-breaker.
– Yes, that first goal… I wish I could pretend I cheated the goalkeeper and I certainly did, but it wasn’t intended. I dropped the disc. Maybe it would be better if you failed my trick in the future too, Mika says with a laugh when we catch up with him next.
– Although it feels good at the end and of course it’s fun to be able to start a new year this way. Especially after we won. All points matter now.
Yes, the Metropolitan Division has taken the form of a classic hornet’s nest, and although a 5-3 win over the Panthers got them over the line, the Rangers are by no means on safe ground.
– Carolina slipped a little from the top, but then only a few points separated the whole team. Mika says it will be a race all the way.
— but fun, there won’t be as much chain heat as there have been in recent years. Every game we play in the future will be very important.
Gustav Forsling gets an assist for a Florida team that, on the other hand, is sliding further and further down the table and will have to struggle if they are going to be able to defend their playoff spot from last year.
Jesper Pratt and the New Jersey Devils did their best to snap Carolina’s long winning streak at home in Newark – and they came very close.
After, among other things, two goals and an assist from Pratt, they took a 4-3 lead with less than five minutes left in the usual match time, but the guests managed to equalize before the final whistle and then won on penalties.
In doing so, the Canes have now won eleven consecutive games.
– But that’s not how we play to win many games. We made uncharacteristic mistakes and gave the disc away on several occasions. It does not go against a team like the devils. Still, I’m satisfied with how we fought in the end, says coach Rod Brind Amore.
On the other hand, the Buffalo Sabers’ six-game winning streak was snapped on New Year’s Day.
They put up a rare uninspired effort away to Ottawa, losing 3-1 – behind Senators’ 33 tackles by Anton Forsberg.
– We were not ourselves today, says coach Don Granato.
Matthias Samuelsson can console himself with a helping hand.
The defending champion Colorado Avalanche was tied up during the playoffs last night — by the Seattle Kraken. Last year’s expansion team beat the New York Islanders 4-1 at home at Climate Pledge Arena and thus clinched the last spot in the West.
Adam Larsson scored his fourth goal of the season midway through the first half.