A Winnipeg Win
The Rangers hosted the league leading Winnipeg Jets Tuesday night at Madison Square Garden in an entertaining matchup featuring a rare combination of great goaltending, and a surplus of goals. The Rangers battled back multiple times, but in the end found themselves unable to overcome Winnipeg's offensive onslaught, falling 6-3 on home ice. The three Blueshirts goals would come via Will Cuylle, Alexis Lafreniere, and Kaapo Kakko.
Zibanejad's Struggles Continue
One player who did not find themselves on the scoresheet Tuesday night was Mika Zibanejad. The 31-year-old has been off to an uncharacteristically slow start to the season, tallying just two goals and nine assists through the first 14 games of the campaign. The typically productive forward has just one point in his last three games and has begun to draw the ire of many Rangers fans across social media.
Tuesday night, Zibanejad put in one of his worst performances of the season to date. The forward played 20 minutes and 20 seconds, during which time he gave the puck away multiple times leading directly to goals for the opposition, missed the net entirely during power play opportunities, and wound up being a minus four in the +/- column.
Following the game, Rangers Head Coach Peter Laviolette spoke on Zibanejad's night, saying "I can't speak for Mika and where he's at. You'd have to ask him. I know that we can count on Mika, he's an impact player for us".
Peter Laviolette was asked if he thinks Mika Zibanejad is pressing right now:
— Rangers Videos (@SNYRangers) November 13, 2024
"I can't speak for Mika and where he's at. You'd have to ask him. I know that we count on Mika, he's an impact player for us." pic.twitter.com/v8f2jOPSkm
Laviolette seemed to strike a diplomatic tone, making sure to show support for, and confidence in, Zibanejad, without speaking directly for him. Zibanejad has been a more than productive player in the past, racking up more than 70 points in his last five full length seasons for the Rangers, so it's no mystery why Laviolette would have confidence in him to be an "impact player".
Zibanejad will have a chance to produce tonight for the Rangers, as the 28th-place San Jose Sharks come to town. The Sharks have allowed the fourth most goals of any NHL team this season so far, and may be the perfect team for Zibanejad to spark his offense against during the Thursday night contest.