Won the second match against Tampa
New York. Mika Zibanijad and his New York Rangers friends did something last night that no one has been able to do since the spring of 2019.
They won a second straight playoff against the Tampa Bay Lightning.
We are like a big family in this team, which is why we are having this success now, says Mika Zibanijad, who scored another goal, for Sportbladet after winning 3-2.
double champion Tampa Bay Lightning The so-called “back to back” wings were really amazing.
During the finals in 2020 and 2021 and the first two rounds in 2022, they lost seventeen matches – and won the match after that each time.
Atmosphere , All Walk.
“I knew about the suite…”
but against New York Rangers In Madison Square Garden, this wonderful streak has been cut. The Broadway Blueshirts won the first game of the Eastern Conference Final on Wednesday 6-2 – and followed it up with a 3-2 victory last night.
– Of course we knew they had this great winger, but we didn’t think much about it, says Mika Zibanjad when we talked to him afterwards.
– Our focus is on our own game, and that’s what got us here, and it was thanks to what we won tonight as well. We did what we were supposed to do and I think we were really good.
In fact. It’s as if the young Manhattan team – which no one really believed in in any of the opening rounds – was getting better and better with every game. All the players on the team, especially the youngsters like Kabu Kaku (tonight’s top scorer) and Philip Chettle, are playing with resounding confidence.
“We want to win for each other”
– Yes, but this self-confidence didn’t arise from nothing, we were good and made us grow, continues Mika.
– We’re also a big family, and that’s why we’re having such success. We want to win for each other.
At the start of the third period, the 29-year-old star clapped in another shot of his now-defunct shots. It was the sixth goal in the last seven games and the ninth overall. With that, he shares third place in the playoffs. It also shares third place in the points league with a total of 22 points.
– Of course it’s fun to get into the pucks. Tonight I was a good fit for the situation before, so when we had another chance, I thought it was a good idea to try to shoot and it went well, he comments.
The Eastern Conference final now continues with two games in Tampa, thus relegating the Rangers to the sunshine with a 2-0 advantage.
– But it is really far from clear. It would be a tough challenge meeting Tampa in their hall, they are very strong in front of their fans. But of course we will do everything we can to win the next match as well, says Mika.
The third match in the series will be held on Sunday evening, at 21.00 Swedish time.