With less than 30 seconds left in the third period and the Rangers holding a one-point lead in the first game of the second round, Mika Zibanejad was seen taking a knee in the neutral zone, desperately trying to advance the puck. there were. Then he sealed the game with an empty netter.
The effort fell about an inch short when the puck was swept away from the crease in the final moments.
The effort was not in vain.
In a one-game jump in this series between two of the NHL’s best three teams, the Blueshirts held a pesky advantage throughout the tilt with a 4-3 victory over Carolina at the Garden. Neither club snuck into the series, which continues Tuesday. From the first round against the Capitals, this went 0-for-60 in an instant.
The Rangers and their marquee players nailed it from the start. Zibanejad scored twice against Frederik Andersen, one on a 5-on-5 inning and the other on the power play. Vincent Trocheck scored one goal and No. 10 Artemi Panarin also had a goal, giving them their third playoff win. At 8:21 of the third game, Carolina made it 4-2 before fighting back.
It’s still early in the tournament, but no one is trying to keep it a secret that the Rangers’ top guns will be under intense scrutiny in the postseason spotlight, especially after last year’s first-round exit hit the team at its core. There was no one there. team. The Rangers’ best members have known that all year.
They don’t talk about it much, so what’s the point? –But the players at the top of the marquee roster, especially Zibanejad and Panarin, have been preparing for this game all year. They are more ready than ever for their close-up. Because it’s not just about them, it’s about the structures that have supported them.
Zibanejad, who has 10 points (3-7) in the playoffs thanks to his 3-point performance, was asked about the importance of having the team’s top players on the team right away. This wasn’t part of the question, but it’s what No. 93 didn’t do in the second round of the 2022 series against Carolina, when his game with Jordan Staal dominated the headlines.
“Obviously it’s easier to sit here and talk about it after a win,” Zibanejad said. “As an attacking player, obviously I want to be involved.
“Scoring a goal helps us win and it feels good, but it’s just one game. We have to keep doing it.”
Groaned Kuchimika!
As I’ve said many times, everyone knows this. Zibanejad was a linchpin on both the power play and penalty kill, and even though he was as efficient as ever away from the puck, it wasn’t his best season. But something was missing. However, the Swede started to improve towards the end of the regular season. He brought that level of involvement into the playoffs.
“He’s definitely stepped up his game,” Trocheck said. He pairs with Zibanejad to form a supercharged 1A/1B rotation in the midfield. “Mika has always been very soft-spoken and gentle, but he hates to lose and we all know that.
“He leads by example.”
Zibanejad came on at 2:46 of the first period, sizing up the situation high in the zone before heading toward the goal, taking a nice centering call from Jack Roslovic while Staal was looking for another player in the circle. I decided to feed from the slot.
After Carolina tied the game, Zibanejad completed a great power play with a blind backhand feed from Trocheck followed by a blind backhand feed from Chris Kreider at 10:05 of the first half. , leading 2-1. Zibanejad also got a helper on Trocheck’s PPG, giving the Blueshirts a 3-1 lead by the end of the period.
Rangers could not make enough plays on the Canes side in the final 30 minutes. They had to have Igor Shesterkin come to their aid a little more often for comfort. Although the Rangers penalty shot was short and perfect at 8:06, there is no question that their goaltender was the team’s best penalty killer.
And while the next-level power play was successful on both chances, those were the only two chances given to the Rangers, giving the Canes five power plays. This is an equation that the Blueshirts need to flip.
Zibanejad is the second senior Ranger, after Kreider, acquired from Ottawa in the summer of 2016 in the all-time trade for Jeff Gorton and Derick Brassard. He’s the club’s best center since Mark Messier. He’s been haunted by the good and bad of the franchise’s history. he is aware. Much of his career will be determined by this tournament.
Let’s go back to the first period. Zibanejad, who had already scored two points, was given the puck alone 15 feet in front of Andersen with 1:10 left and completed his hat trick with his stick. Of course, he tried a circus back pass to Panarin, but missed.
“I was determined to freeze the goalie,” he said. “As I was looking back, I saw the bread coming towards me. I don’t think he thought I was going to give it to him. So, to be honest, I should have shot it. I might be able to say that.” [but] I do not care.
“If it were to happen again, I would make the decision that I think is best at the moment…but this wasn’t the biggest decision for me.”
Live and learn.
