Rangers' Mika Zibanejad notches two assists in 800th game
Rangers center Mika Zibanejad looks on before a face off against the Capitals in the first period of an NHL game at Madison Square Garden on Wednesday. Credit: Kathleen Malone-Van Dyke
Rangers center Mika Zibanejad played his 800th career game and got two assists Wednesday night in the Rangers’ 5-1 win over the Washington Capitals.
“It’s a lot of games,” Zibanejad said. “It’s 800 more games than I thought I was gonna play. When I was a kid, it’s something you only dream of, just playing one game, and you get the opportunity to do so for that many years and that many times . . . I feel fortunate to be here. I’m obviously not here by myself, but with everyone that’s been helping out.
“It’s always fun to have those milestones,” Zibanejad added, “but it makes it more memorable when you win those games too.”
Back from the holidays
Peter Laviolette didn’t need much in order to have a good Christmas.
“My family was home,’’ the Rangers coach said before the Rangers resumed their season Wednesday night with a 5-1 victory over the Washington Capitals at Madison Square Garden, following the NHL’s three-day Christmas break. “I don't get that too often, my three kids under my roof. And that was pretty awesome. That was the best part about it for me.’’
Most of the Rangers stayed around New York for the break, though a couple did get a chance to go home. Forward Jimmy Vesey went to Boston, where he also enjoyed his entire family being together for the holiday.
“I’m not sure when the last time we had everyone under one roof was, but Christmas Eve everyone was in the same place,’’ Vesey said. “I have two siblings, and you know, with hockey, or [people being] in different locations with boyfriends and girlfriends, things like that, it's nice to have everyone there Christmas Eve.’’
Defenseman Ryan Lindgren and his brother, Washington goaltender Charlie Lindgren, flew home to Minneapolis on Christmas Eve and flew back to New York on Dec. 26. Charlie stayed at Ryan’s apartment in the city before joining his teammates Wednesday morning.
Colin Stephenson covers the Rangers for Newsday. He has spent more than two decades covering the NHL and just about every sports team in the New York metropolitan area.
