With only a few more days until the New York Rangers return to the ice, there is just one more Olympic game to play. J.T. Miller and Vincent Trocheck highlight the last remaining Blueshirts in the best-on-best tournament, and they will try to will Team USA to a gold medal victory over Canada.
One of the better performers of the Olympic games, was a part of the Sweden squad. Mika Zibanejad usually turns up the heat in about a week and a half from now, but he decided to get "Mika March" started a little early.
Can he use that confidence boost from the Olympics to help give the Rangers a solid showing for the last 25 games?
Olympic Magic
In five games played for Sweden, Zibanejad had three goals and three assists for six points. That mark only trailed Lucas Raymond for most on Team Sweden, as he had nine points in the tournament.
Unfortunately, Sweden was unable to conquer the United States, as they lost 2-1 in overtime to Quinn Hughes game-winning goal. Zibanejad scored the lone goal in that game, giving his team a chance to get the win in overtime. Unfortunately, it didn't happen.
It was an incredible showing from Zibanejad, and if he might have one more chance in 2030 to bring his team to a gold medal. He will be 36 at that time, but should still be a driving force in competitive hockey.
Mika March incoming
The Rangers are going to have a busy month ahead of them when the calendar flips over to March. The Trade Deadline is on March 6, and there is reason to believe that President and General Manager Chris Drury is going to go all-out to try and bring in the next generation of Rangers hockey.
Zibanejad should be safe from any kind of movement, as he has shown a little bit of a resurgence in his game this season. The team has been lackluster overall, but No. 93 has done what he can to try to contribute. He has 23 goals and 29 assists for 52 points, which is only 10 points behind last season's total with 25 games to go.
This next month has always been kind for Zibanejad, as he has lit up the scoresheet in March. In 185 games over his career in the month of March, he has 71 goals and 79 assists for 150 points. That is leagues above any other month in the NHL season.
Will he re-ignite the Rangers for the next month, and continue his successful ways?