Mika Zibanejad contributed two goals when the New York Rangers defeated the Detroit Red Wings with a clear 8-2 away match at Little Caesars Arena. With that, Rangers ended their three-game losing streak.
One reason for the losing streak is that the team’s offense has faltered, producing only seven goals in the last nine periods, plus one game in overtime. The team average before the game had dropped to 2.79 goals per game, but led by Zibanejad, Chris Kreider (1 + 1) e Adam Fox (1 + 3) found the team against Detroit.
Video: DET-NYR: Zibanejad leads the way for Rangers
– Considering how he’s looked in the last few games, he’s very cool, Zibanejad told NHL.com/sv after the game. We played like we should for 60 minutes and it’s good to get paid for it.
Despite the numbers in the final score, the teams were matched in terms of goals until the third period when the score was 2-2. Then Rangers exploded and scored six consecutive goals, four of which came in 2:57 minutes in the first half of the period.
– Scoring six goals in one period is obviously strong, but I am more pleased that we played as well as we did during this match, says Rangers manager Gerard Gallant. We also made a great performance in the first half, even if the payoff seems to be pending.
– We had good chances at the start of the match, but we weren’t frustrated when the puck didn’t come in, says Zibanejad who has now scored 18 points (9 + 9) in 15 games this season. We just kept playing our game. We knew the goals would come if we continued to follow our game plan and maintain the same focus. Nice to have this win with us.
Selected by the Ottawa Senators with the sixth overall pick in the 2011 NHL Draft, Zibanejad played his 700th NHL game and the two goals brought him to 533 points (238 + 295) with Senators and Rangers.
The 29-year-old from Stockholm was able to celebrate the finish with his father Mehrdad, who is present along with the other fathers of the team during the trip to Detroit and Nashville on Saturday. He was also in charge of reading the starting lineup for the team in the locker room.
– In his day he was in many games and often sat in the stands here too, but this was special, says Mika. It was great to have all the dads with us throughout the journey and in preparation for this game. He and the whole family have really stood up and supported me over the years and taken me to training, matches and tournaments. It’s nice to be able to pay back a little this way.
– It’s nice to have the dads in their place and to be able to deliver a strong performance. Now it has been a great trip here and now it will be fun on the flight to Nashville, he smiles Adam Fox. They have sacrificed a lot for our good and I think they appreciate the opportunity to look closely at our daily life.
Rangers went 7-5-3 in the preseason and are fourth in the Metropolitan Division, five points behind leaders New Jersey Devils. Through the goal blast against the Red Wings, the goal average jumps to 3.1 full shots per game and the team knows that a working attack is important in order to go the distance this season.
Last year, Rangers won 26 of their 28 games when they scored more than three goals per game and had a combined average of 3.05. The team has enough hitting power to be able to be responsible for a high rate of goal production this season as well.
– So far we have had problems playing at the highest level for longer periods in matches, says Fox. Today was a big step in the right direction and certainly a result to build on. Today we worked better in front of the pits and that’s when we are at our best. He has also paid off with a series of “hard work” goals on bouncing discs and rebounds. We bring this effort with us.
Rangers will play away at Bridgestone Arena against the Nashville Predators on the night between Saturday and Sunday, Swedish time. Return at 02:00.
