Rangers' Mika Zibanejad returns to lineup after dealing with illness
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 Dec. 27, 2023. Credit: Kathleen Malone-Van Dyke
WASHINGTON — Mika Zibanejad, who was a last-minute scratch from Thursday’s game in St. Louis after illness forced him to leave the ice during warmups, was a game-time decision Saturday but was able to play. Forward Anton Blidh, who was recalled from AHL Hartford on Friday as insurance in case Zibanejad couldn’t play, also was in the lineup.
Blidh made his Rangers debut, playing in place of Jake Leschyshyn, who had played Thursday. Leschyshyn was sent to Hartford on Saturday.
Blidh was a more natural fit on the fourth line, playing left wing with center Nick Bonino and Jonny Brodzinski.
Blidh played 10 shifts and received a total of five minutes, 21 seconds of ice time. He had one shot on goal and took a cross-checking penalty against Tom Wilson after Wilson slammed Brodzinski into the boards from behind in the first period. Wilson took a boarding penalty and Washington forward Connor McMichael got a roughing penalty for going after Blidh.
Brodzinski, who left for the locker room after the hit, returned without missing a shift.
No Rangers added to All-Star team
The NHL announced the remaining players for the All-Star rosters. No Rangers were added for All-Star Weekend Feb. 1-3 in Toronto.
With Artemi Panarin unable to attend because his wife is late in her pregnancy, goalie Igor Shesterkin was chosen as the Rangers' representative when the first 32 players were announced.
Power play slips up
The Rangers’ power play went 0-for-3 and slipped below 30% effectiveness for the season (29.4), though the unit still was ranked first in the league before the evening games began. The Rangers’ first power play in the first period generated a few one-timers from Zibanejad, but his two shots were stopped.
Kakko still sidelined
Rangers forward Kaapo Kakko missed his 21st game with a lower-body injury but still appears poised to return to the lineup any day now. He has been practicing with the team without any non-contact restrictions since Wednesday.
Coach Peter Laviolette refused to say whether the right wing might play in Sunday’s game against Washington.
Laviolette on Lindgrens
Laviolette was asked before the game about coaching the Lindgren brothers, having coached Charlie Lindgren last season with Washington, and Ryan Lindgren this season with the Rangers.
“They’re a little bit different,’’ Laviolette said. “You get to know their family too, you get to see relatives in the [dressing] room after the game and meet them, and it’s just a great family. They’re both really good people, really good hockey players, and it was really good to work with both of them.’’
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.
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