Rangers' Mika Zibanejad confident he'll be contributing to playoff push

GREENBURGH — Mika Zibanejad was asked if his experience at the just-completed 4 Nations Face-Off will translate into the season’s final furlong.

Zibanejad took a moment before answering in his quiet, thoughtful, introspective way.

The words that followed had to be heartening for anyone associated with the Rangers.

“Obviously, I got some energy coming from there,” Zibanejad said after a half-hour practice Friday afternoon at the MSG Training Center. “I think the way I’ve been playing before the tournament and the way I played in the tournament — the two games I played — was good and I’m going to keep going.”

As the Rangers (27-24-4, 58 points) resume their season this weekend in a back-to-back in Buffalo and Pittsburgh, they find themselves four points behind Ottawa for the first wild-card spot and three points behind Detroit for the final berth.

But it’s not simply a matter of catching the Senators or Red Wings. The Rangers also will have to pass the Blue Jackets and Bruins (60 points apiece) while holding off the Islanders (57 points) and the triumvirate of Montreal, Pittsburgh and Philadelphia (55 points each).

In order to accomplish all of those tasks and qualify for the Stanley Cup playoffs for the fourth straight season, a productive Zibanejad will be vital. The 31-year-old is fourth on the team with 37 points in 55 games. Zibanejad’s 11 goals rank sixth on the Rangers and his 26 assists are third.

By all accounts, it has not been the kind of campaign he or the Rangers expected before the season. However, as Zibanejad noted, he has played well since the start of the calendar year.

In the 19 games the Rangers have played in 2025, Zibanejad has five goals and 11 assists. Not coincidentally, the Rangers have an 11-5-3 record in those games.

In the five games after the Jan. 31 trade for J.T. Miller, Zibanejad has two goals, six assists, 15 shots on goal and a .133 shooting percentage.

“You’d certainly like to see him pick up where he left off,” coach Peter Laviolette said. “He was certainly playing well for us, and you think with that comes a little bit of confidence.”

Which neatly coincides with Laviolette making Zibanejad the right wing on the top line with Miller and Artemi Panarin for four games before having him center the third line with Chris Kreider and Arthur Kaliyev in the 4-3 win over the Blue Jackets on Feb. 8, the Rangers’ final game before the pause.

Which is why Laviolette would not commit when asked if Zibanejad is a full-time right wing or is entrenched at center. He played center for Sweden in the 4 Nations tournament, recording a goal and averaging 18:26 of ice time in two games.

“The fact that he can move either way gives us options,” Laviolette said.

Notes & quotes: Laviolette reaffirmed that the four Rangers who played for Team USA in the championship game against Canada — Miller, Adam Fox, Chris Kreider and Vincent Trocheck — will meet the team in Buffalo. He does not believe he will have to monitor the foursome’s minutes after the tournament. “Full go,” Laviolette said.