After having such a great start to their season, it seems as if the New York Rangers are starting to screech to a halt. The team is coming off back to back losses against the Columbus Blue Jackets and Florida Panthers, following their Western Canada sweep. Now, they have even bigger trouble; center Mika Zibanjead is expected to be out approximately 6-8 weeks with a fractured fibula he suffered in November 20th’s shootout loss to Florida.
Zibanjead suffered the injury skating full speed and slid into the boards, having to be helped off the ice by teammates Chris Kreider and Mats Zuccarello. Head coach Alain Vigneault confirmed the injury in his post-game press conference. The team, however, does have 12 healthy forwards, so AV says no corresponding roster move will be made.
The New York Rangers had been on fire as of late with excellent goal-tending and scoring, averaging at least three goals per game. Even with Pavel Buchnevich still out with back issues, and recently getting Chris Kreider back again, the team still had their speed and fight. Now, it looks like they are burned out, and it could not have come at a worse time.
The team is due to have a home series against the defending Stanley Cup champions in the Pittsburgh Penguins, as well as have their yearly Thanksgiving showdown against their hated rivals in the Philadelphia Flyers. Three big match-ups this week for the Rangers, and they really need to go back to their old selves, and fast!
It is still very early in the season, and there’s no doubt the Rangers will bounce back from these last two tough losses. Mika Zibanejad, we are sending prayers for a fast recovery!!
