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New York Rangers: Mika Zibanejad’s 5 goals draw attention

By Matt McGinnis

NEW YORK, NEW YORK - MARCH 05: Mika Zibanejad #93 of the New York Rangers scores his fifth goal of the game in overtime defeat the Washington Capitals 5-4 and is joined by Tony DeAngelo #77 at Madison Square Garden on March 05, 2020 in New York City. (Photo by Bruce Bennett/Getty Images)
NEW YORK, NEW YORK - MARCH 05: Mika Zibanejad #93 of the New York Rangers scores his fifth goal of the game in overtime defeat the Washington Capitals 5-4 and is joined by Tony DeAngelo #77 at Madison Square Garden on March 05, 2020 in New York City. (Photo by Bruce Bennett/Getty Images) /
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The New York Rangers took down the Washington Capitals 6-5 in overtime on Thursday. Mika Zibanejad had a career night in the contest, scoring five of the Rangers’ six tallies, including the OT winner.

Mika Zibanejad‘s five-goal effort on Thursday night has captured the attention of many around the NHL. He became only the third player in New York Rangers history to put up five goals and the first to do it in the NHL since Patrik Laine in November of 2018.

While this type of game should be applauded, Zibanejad’s overall body of work this season is what we should really be admiring.

The Rangers have spent a large part of the season toward the bottom of the standings, making Zibanejad’s brilliance go mostly unnoticed. It also hasn’t helped that teammate Artemi Panarin garners most of the attention, as he is in the top five in the league in points.

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For Zibanejad, though, he quietly finds himself in the top 15 in the NHL’s point race with 71 (38 goals and 33 assists). His 38 goals put him in the top five in the league in that category.

His 71 point total is only three shy of the career-best he set last year, and his 38 goals are eight more than his previous high, also set last year. His +6 plus-minus rating is also approaching his career-high of +9.

On special teams, Zibanejad has racked up 27 power play points and five shorthanded points, both career highs. At even strength, his plus 6 rating comes on a team that is only plus 13 in total goal differential.

The 26-year-old alternate captain for the Rangers is under contract for each of the next two seasons following the 2019-20 campaign, and he will be a large part of the Rangers’ push for the playoffs this year and in years to come.

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New York sits 36-27-4, only a couple of points out of a playoff spot in the Eastern Conference. Zibanejad and the Rangers will look to continue their recent success on Saturday when they play host to the New Jersey Devils.

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