Skip to main content
Blue Line Station
Fansided

Mika Zibanejad and 3 Rangers X factors to derail history chasing Oilers

Facing Connor McDavid and Edmonton’s record-setting attack at Madison Square Garden, the Rangers need Mika Zibanejad and 3 crucial X-factors to pull off an upset.
ByJustin Bonhard
Share on FacebookShare on XShare on Reddit
Google Discover
Oct 22, 2026; Toronto, Ontario, CAN; New York Rangers center Mika Zibanejad (93) scores a goal and celebrates with defenseman Adam Fox (23) against the Toronto Maple Leafs during the first period at Scotiabank Arena. Mandatory Credit: Nick Turchiaro-Imagn Images
Oct 22, 2026; Toronto, Ontario, CAN; New York Rangers center Mika Zibanejad (93) scores a goal and celebrates with defenseman Adam Fox (23) against the Toronto Maple Leafs during the first period at Scotiabank Arena. Mandatory Credit: Nick Turchiaro-Imagn Images | IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters Connect

The calendar has flipped over to November, and the New York Rangers are back from their very long break. It has been six days since we last saw the Blueshirts in action, and now their eyes are set on beating a very good Edmonton Oilers team. 

There are two really good X-factors on the other side in Connor McDavid and Evan Bouchard. Fortunately, there are a couple of Rangers who can be X-factors as well. 

Let’s go over a few of them. 

Mika Zibanejad 

Against the aforementioned McDavid, all eyes will be on Mika Zibanejad as the Rangers' 1C. He has had some struggles against the Oilers, with seven goals, six assists for 13 points in 23 career games. 

Zibanejad has been solid this season, with consistent play as per usual. Although he has been held pointless in the Rangers' last two contests, he still has three goals and eight assists for 11 points on the year. It will be very important for him to keep this going as the Rangers are starting to steadily fall in the Metropolitan Division standings.

Adam Fox 

Adam Fox is having a Norris trophy-worthy season so far in 2026-27, and he can outshine Bouchard, who is the heavy favorite to win it. No. 23 has to be an anchor for the rest of this reason, as the goaltending issues still persist. 

Fox has a goal and 16 assists on the season for 17 points. He is on pace to crush some career highs, which is exactly what the Rangers need him to do. 

Pavel Dorofeyev 

On a four-game point streak, Pavel Dorofeyev is finally starting to turn things around. Against the Oilers, he is going to have to hit five straight if the Rangers want to have any chance of victory. 

No. 16 is up to three goals and five assists for eight points on the season in 13 games. He has been bumped up to the top line, and hopefully, this time, it can fully unlock Dorofeyev’s abilities. 

Dylan Garand  

Ultimately, it comes down to goaltender Dylan Garand. He is going to be the most crucial player in this game, as nobody else has been able to stop McDavid. 

Joonas Korpisalo is back on the ice and close to returning, but it is still the Garand show. A big win here and the Rangers go into the final two games of this home-stand with momentum before going out west.

Garand has been overworked, but with six days of rest, he should be fresh and ready to go. 

Add us as a preferred source on Google