Player Discussion Mika Zibanejad

[SA16]

If the idea is to use Mika to neuter Barkov, the math ain’t mathing, because the rest of the Panthers are outshooting and outscoring the rest of the Rangers.

Most of the Panthers top guys haven't been scoring either. The takes in this series have been weird. In 5 games Tkachuk has 5 points (on a very soft goal), Barkov has 4 points, Reinhart has 3 points, Montour has 1 point, Tarasenko has 0 points. At 5v5 Barkov has 1 point, Reinhart has 0 points, Montour has 0 points.

 

[bouds]

Was Trocheck a better playoff performer than him last year when Trocheck had 1 point in 7 playoff games? Or his entire career before this year when he had 17 points in 40 playoff games? Nobody would have ever said Trocheck put up good performances in the playoffs until this year when he has done it. He had 1.12 pts/60 in 40 playoff games before this season. Looks like Trocheck was always a guy who wilted under pressure. What changed that suddenly he's now a good playoff player?

What changed is that he’s playing with Panarin, that man makes the guys around him better

 

[bleedblue94]

Hot take. Our center depth is fine. Zib had two assists last night. Trocheck is awesome.

We can’t score five in five because our defense sucks. Upgrading Trouba and Lindgren and getting Fox back healthy fix a lot problems.

So it's our defenses fault that our forwards can't establish any sort of consistent forecheck?

Anybody that's watching these games can see that that NYR can't establish enough consistent offensive zone time over the course of 60 minutes and that it's taking a toll on the entire roster having to constantly play defense and chase the puck

 

[KirkAlbuquerque]

Most of the Panthers top guys haven't been scoring either. The takes in this series have been weird. In 5 games Tkachuk has 5 points (on a very soft goal), Barkov has 4 points, Reinhart has 3 points, Montour has 1 point, Tarasenko has 0 points. At 5v5 Barkov has 1 point, Reinhart has 0 points, Montour has 0 points.

True. Power plays have been the difference.

And Zib is murdering ours

 

[SA16]

What changed is that he’s playing with Panarin, that man makes the guys around him better

Oh that’s weird cause I’m told Panarin is bad in the playoffs

 

[Siddi]

Laugh emoji all you want but all I am poiting out is that Barkov was held out of the score sheet for 2 straight games when playing against Mikas line. Maurice then decided to match Barkov against Trochecks line from game 3 and that is where everything started to fall apart. Game 1 and 2 Rangers were the better team. Coincidence?

Look, Mika is not going anywhere. He is going to be on this team for another 6 seasons. Hopefully this is just a down season for him and he can turn it around. Mika will not be the first player in history to turn it around after a less than desired season.

 

[Synergy27]

So it's our defenses fault that our forwards can't establish any sort of consistent forecheck?

Anybody that's watching these games can see that that NYR can't establish enough consistent offensive zone time over the course of 60 minutes and that it's taking a toll on the entire roster having to constantly play defense and chase the puck

Yes. Our transition game is brutal and that’s largely on the defense.

 

[Atax]

Laugh emoji all you want but all I am poiting out is that Barkov was held out of the score sheet for 2 straight games when playing against Mikas line. Maurice then decided to match Barkov against Trochecks line from game 3 and that is where everything started to fall apart. Game 1 and 2 Rangers were the better team. Coincidence?

Look, Mika is not going anywhere. He is going to be on this team for another 6 seasons. Hopefully this is just a down season for him and he can turn it around. Mika will not be the first player in history to turn it around after a less than desired season.

We got caved in for like 95% of this series. Mika didnt shut down anything. Mika has been completely awful at even strength all season. This isnt a down year for Mika. This is who he is now. He's a PP merchant who cant handle physical play.

 

[KingDeathMetal]

What series are you watching dude?

I didn't say he HAS been good. I'm saying he's fine and will be huge in Games 6 and 7. Giving you all a preview into the future. You're welcome.

 

[Peltz]

I didn't say he HAS been good. I'm saying he's fine and will be huge in Games 6 and 7. Giving you all a preview into the future. You're welcome.

I hope you're right.

 

[Siddi]

We got caved in for like 95% of this series. Mika didnt shut down anything. Mika has been completely awful at even strength all season. This isnt a down year for Mika. This is who he is now. He's a PP merchant who cant handle physical play.

Rangers were the better team in game 1 & 2 which led to Maurice actively change his matchups for game 3. You think he decided to ice Barkovs line against Trocheck in game 3 & 4 for fun?

 

[RangersFan1994]