Mika Zibanejad, like many Rangers last season, struggled to live up to the expectations fans have become accustomed to in past years. In 82 games, Zibanejad tallied just 20 goals and 42 assists for 62 points, while enjoying significant time on the Rangers' power play unit. In his previous four full NHL seasons for the Blueshirts, Zibanejad never fell below 70 points. Many Rangers fans were rightfully unhappy with the Swedish center as New York failed to qualify for the postseason for the first time since 2021.
Having missed the playoffs for the first time in years, many Rangers players have seized the opportunity to represent their home nations at the IIHF World Championship in Stockholm, Sweden and Herning, Denmark. Will Cuylle, Juuso Parssinen, and Mika Zibanejad have slotted into the lineups of Canada, Finland, and Sweden, respectfully.
Team Sweden has put on an impressive display through four games at the tournament, currently sitting atop Group A with a 4-0-0 record, and a 17 to 3 goals differential. Mika Zibanejad has played a huge part in Sweden's success, especially in their early game against underdog Austria. Sweden trailed the Austrians 1-0 halfway through the game, but Zibanejad wired home a shot on the power play to bring the Swedes level.
Later in the game, the Swedes found themselves trailing yet again but found a game tying goal with just two minutes remaining from Minnesota's Jonas Brodin. It seemed the game was destined for overtime, but Zibanejad stepped up yet again. Just twelve seconds after Brodin tied the game at two goals apiece, the Rangers veteran forward fired a one-timer past the Austrian goaltender for what would prove to be the game winner.
Across Sweden's four games at the tournament, Zibanejad has found the back of the net four times, averaging a goal a game. Additionally, the Swedes now sit alongside Canada as favorites to win the tournament and take home gold. It may be hard to believe for many Rangers fans that Zibanejad is contributing in a meaningful way to a team making a run at a championship, but if the 32-year-old forward can regain his best form and carry it into next season, the Blueshirts could make a run at redemption.