The New York Rangers 2025-26 campaign is reaching its conclusion, and what a season it was. Obviously, it was not a season that any Blueshirts faithful will want to remember, but it did have its moments.
One of those moments was a franchise record, and continued dominance in a particular area of the game. Mika Zibanejad, who stepped back into his usual self this season amidst the rest of the disappointment around him, set the record straight by passing Camille Henry and Chris Kreider for the most power play goals of all time on January 17 against the Pittsburgh Penguins.
He's since extended his lead at the top of the Original Six franchise's record books, with his 122nd power play goal as a Ranger in the 3-2 shootout loss to Winnipeg on Sunday coming with the man advantage. That tally was the 30th goal on the season and 14th on the power play. With around a month left of play left, he is narrowly approaching his career-best for power play goals in a single season, which is 20 that he set in 2022-23.
His greatest asset
There are multiple layers to Zibanejad's game that make him truly unique. He is a "quote, unquote", number one center who plays at even strength, powerplay and on the penalty kill. He has great awerness with the puck, great pace and speed through the neutral zone and over the blueline, and obviously a knack for making the most out of the man-advantage.
That last part of his game can be considered as his greatest asset, as it is so important to have a consistent player on that power play. That area of the game is an x-factor between wins and losses, and having a player that can be utilized and succeed more times than not, is a great thing to have.
On the active player list, Zibanejad ranks eighth in all-time power-play goals. Looking at the names in front of him paints a picutre as to how important it is to have that skillset. Alexander Ovechkin leads the list with an inpeccable 331, followed by one of the best pure goal-scorers of all-time in Steven Stamkos with 238. Then it is the dynamic duo of Sidney Crosby and Evgeni Malkin with a respectable 194 and 186.
Zibanejad has a while still left to play in the NHL, and hopefully with the Rangers. That tally of 134 for his career, and growing franchise-record total of 122 will reach great heights before he hangs up the skates for good.