Mika Zibanejad has hope after all. To start the 2023-24 season for the New York Rangers, Zibanejad has struggled a little bit, which led to some concerns. While his individual statistics don’t look all that bad, the veteran forward has just not looked like himself. Prior to the Rangers’ Sunday afternoon game against the New York Islanders, Peter Laviolette decided to switch up the offensive lines as one of the changes he made was putting Zibanejad alongside Artemi Panarin and Alexis Lafrenière. If anything was going to help Zibanejad get going, it’s playing with Panarin and Lafrenière, who are both on pace for monster statistical seasons. Zibanejad recorded three assists against the Islanders. Maybe two of the assists were tallied on special teams while the other one was on an empty-net goal, but it’s still encouraging to see him have this sort of productive game. The 31-year-old was playing with a lot more confidence and that was evident watching him closely on Sunday. “Felt good,” Zibanejad said of how he felt playing alongside Artemi Panarin and Alexis Lafrenière. “I think all the lines were gelling and playing well. I think the good start we had to the game got everyone’s energy up a little bit. I’m excited to play with new guys too. I’ve played with both of them in the past here and there, but it was fun.” Stan Fischler talks about Matt Rempe. If Laviolette decides to keep his newly formed lines, Zibanejad will be able to facilitate the puck to Panarin and Lafrenière while these two are also elite playmakers and that should help Zibanejad find the scoresheet. There’s no need to panic about Zibanejad. We are only 11 games into the season with a lot of hockey still to be played.
