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Zibanejad’s legendary night, other takeaways from Caps win

By Andrew Steele-Davis

NEW YORK, NEW YORK - MARCH 05: Mika Zibanejad #93 of the New York Rangers scores his fifth goal of the game in overtime to defeat Ilya Samsonov #30 and the Washington Capitals 5-4 at Madison Square Garden on March 05, 2020 in New York City. (Photo by Bruce Bennett/Getty Images)
NEW YORK, NEW YORK - MARCH 05: Mika Zibanejad #93 of the New York Rangers scores his fifth goal of the game in overtime to defeat Ilya Samsonov #30 and the Washington Capitals 5-4 at Madison Square Garden on March 05, 2020 in New York City. (Photo by Bruce Bennett/Getty Images) /
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NEW YORK, NEW YORK – MARCH 05: Mika Zibanejad #93 of the New York Rangers scores his fifth goal of the game in overtime to defeat Ilya Samsonov #30 and the Washington Capitals 5-4 at Madison Square Garden on March 05, 2020 in New York City. (Photo by Bruce Bennett/Getty Images)
NEW YORK, NEW YORK – MARCH 05: Mika Zibanejad #93 of the New York Rangers scores his fifth goal of the game in overtime to defeat Ilya Samsonov #30 and the Washington Capitals 5-4 at Madison Square Garden on March 05, 2020 in New York City. (Photo by Bruce Bennett/Getty Images) /

1. Greatness Personified

Every legend has a starting point.

And we may well have witnessed the beginning of Mika Zibanejad’s legend on Thursday night against the Washington Capitals.

While on an upwards trajectory for a while, 109 goals and 120 assists for 229 points in 264 games for the Rangers, Zibanejad has really elevated his game to a whole new level this year.

He has become the face of this franchise, leading to many fans screaming for the front office to make the former Ottawa Senator the next captain of this storied organization.

They have a point.

And we saw just why Zibanejad could become a true star in the National Hockey League after he absolutely obliterated the Capitals last night.

Scoring a grand total of five goals in a single game, the 26-year-old achieved something that only two Blueshirts had previously done.

Mark Pavelich on Feb. 23, 1983 and Don Murdoch on Oct. 12, 1976 were the other players to have recorded five goals in one game for the Rangers, by the way.

It was the manner in which Zibanejad scored those goals that really impressed. Two on the power play, two at even-strength and the game-winner in overtime.

It was the second overtime winner that the forward had scored in just over a week, the other coming against the New York Islanders, thus highlighting Zibanejad’s penchant for delivering in the biggest moments.

This really was a game for the ages for a player who is the heartbeat of this team, both in the present and for the long-term future.

And last night’s heroics was a culmination of what has been an incredible run by Zibanejad, who has piled up 47 points (27 goals, 20 assists) in his last 33 games, including 14 goals in his past 10 outings.

As a result, the Rangers are now within striking distance of the second wild-card and their postseason hopes have been kept alive in large part thanks to Zibanejad.

In seizing control of last night’s contest, Mika Zibanejad carved out his own legendary moment in an area that has witnessed many.

And it could well be that we refer back to the forward’s five-goal salvo against the Washington Capitals in years to come when we discuss his Hall of Fame candidacy.

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