New York Rangers – Tampa Bay Lightning NHL Playoffs – Complete Schedule
New York. The only time they stopped for that long was when they sat at the same table at Eric Carlson’s wedding.
But Victor Hedman and Mika Zibanijad still have so much mutual respect that it’s hard to stop praising each other.
Now, however, they’ll meet in an all-or-nothing duel with a place in the Stanley Cup Final in the pot, so the Swedish stars’ mutual admiration must be put on the ice for a while — or rather, off the ice.
“I wish Victor all the success he’s had, but this year I hope he and Tampa can take a breather from all the wins,” Mika told Sportbladet before the opening round of the Eastern Conference Final.
The blue and yellow star wars are really waiting for when New York Rangers And the Tampa Bay Lightning Accidents in the Stanley Cup playoffs tied the so-called semi-final in Sweden.
In Tampa, linebacker Victor Hedman is one of the biggest figures — and in the Rangers, the number one position is Mika Zibanijad who is the captain of the army himself.
An equally heavyweight Swede has not taken place late in the battle for the legendary Lord Stanley trophy since 2018, when Hedman himself met Niklas Backstrom of Washington in a similar conference final.
So when we get to them before the first round of Madison Square Garden, they are of course taunting the threats and disguising themselves against each other?
not exactly.
Mutual respect is well established – and don’t get upset because one gets in the way of the other’s dreams in the coming weeks.
– Mika is an amazing player who really leads his team in all forms of play, says Victor.
Mica counters:
– Everyone knows what Victor is to hockey players and what he has achieved. I can’t say something you haven’t heard before but what amazes me is what has become of a leader, it’s really noticeable on the ice.
Although the break is less than three years old — Hedman was born in December 1990, Zipanjad in April 1993 — and has followed parallel careers in both Sweden and North America, it turns out somewhat unexpectedly that the men don’t have much in common.
– No, we do not know each other closely and have not played together in any national teams, says Vig.
– But from the little that we met anyway, I had the impression that he was a very good man.
This impression is mutual, that too.
The only time we stopped by a little longer was at Eric Carlson’s wedding. If I remember correctly, we both sat at the same table and it was very nice, Mika continues.
– Then of course we met and talked quite a bit after the games over the years and it was totally nice back then.
Mika will get to know his fellow countryman better tonight, in less friendly ways, because Victor is primarily responsible for “shut down” the opponents’ most dangerous weapon and the Rangers’ most dangerous weapon is the chain led by the Swedish star-focused.
– Yeah, we’ll see, we still don’t know much about who it’s going to be up against whom, but Victor is on the ice for 30 minutes every game, so I’ll probably see him, laughing.
We will do our best to respond to this challenge. I wish him all the success he has had, but I hope this year he and Tampa can take a break from all the wins.
However, it does not include the plans of the previous Conn Smythe king, he is looking for the third title in a row.
– But it would be very interesting to meet Mika in a playoff, he says.
The first round of Swedish “Star Wars” has been decided tonight and begins at 02:00 Swedish time.
New York Rangers – Tampa Bay Lightning: All matches, fixtures, TV, time
- Thursday 2 June 02.00: New York Rangers Tampa Bay
- Saturday 4 June 02.00: New York Rangers Tampa Bay
- Sunday 5 June 21.00: Tampa Bay-New York Rangers
- Wednesday 8 June 02.00: Tampa Bay-New York Rangers
- Thursday 10 June 02:00: New York Rangers Tampa Bay
- Probably Sunday 12 June 02.00: Tampa Bay-New York Rangers
- Wednesday 15 June 02.00: New York Rangers Tampa Bay
All matches are broadcast on Viaplay and Viasat channels.