Newark. Tonight’s 30th birthday party came as Mika Zibanejad had hoped.
The New York Rangers won the opening game of their playoff battle against arch-rivals the New Jersey Devils in Newark – 5-1.
– I couldn’t have imagined a better way to celebrate, the star center tells Sportbladet.
It coincided with the start of the New York Rangers’ new adventure, Mika Zibanejad’s 30th birthday, and like I said: he got the gift that was at the top of the wish list.
The Rangers won the first round of the playoff edition of the “Battle of the Hudson” – at the Prudential Center in Newark.
Already in the first period, they took a 2-0 lead against the young Devils players who seemed to have been a little impressed by the seriousness of the moment, and thus the holmgangen was practically decided.
Great at the box office
The hosts tightened up in the final 40 minutes, but a more experienced opposition effectively prevented them from getting the time, space and chances they wanted to build momentum – and when they did create chances, Igor Sejstyorkin was once again impossibly in the box.
In the end, the visitors won 5-1 – Jack Hughes set up the consolation goal from the penalty spot.
“We know they’re skilful and quick, but we slowed them down a bit and didn’t give them the roofs they wanted,” says the birthday boy when we meet him outside the visitors’ dressing room after the final whistle.
– At the same time, it was not the case that we came home and defended the lead. We kept paying and got them. We play mature and smart. It’s only one game, we know that, but it’s nice to get off to such a good start.
Celebration will have to wait
However, there will be no more celebrations for 30 years. Not now anyway.
– I couldn’t think of a better way to celebrate than this. He smiles, it was nice for the boys to score so many goals.
– Otherwise it will be quiet. Irma came back yesterday and one of my friends is here too and I have time to see them on Wednesday but nothing special happened, I have to make sure I’m ready for the next game on Thursday.
The real king of the ice, with the exception of Sjestiorkin, was defender Adam Fox, who had four assists.
