A mix of positive and negative storylines have swirled around the Rangers throughout the 2020-21 season. At the moment, the Rangers are attempting to push through a slow start precipitated by injuries and off-ice drama.
Having begun the new campaign with a 3-4-2 record and eight points, the Blueshirts currently share the cellar of the Eastern Division with the Islanders. For the Rangers to climb out of this position and move up the standings, it’s going to take several key players raising their play.
The Rangers will need Igor Shesterkin to recapture the excellent, steely netminding of last season. They will need Ryan Strome to provide more offense and be less of a defensive-zone liability. Jacob Trouba must find consistency on both ends of the ice and justify his $8 million salary.
It’s not all doom and gloom, though. Artemi Panarin has enjoyed a 12-point start to the new season. Adam Fox is building on last year’s splendid rookie campaign and is establishing himself as one of the league’s most promising young defensemen. Phil Di Giuseppe’s production has been a bright spot. Lately, Chris Kreider has reignited his game with purpose and fury.
Amid mixed results up and down the lineup, there’s one player whose sluggish start has been the most puzzling. The Rangers and their fans expect Mika Zibanejad to be a game-changer, and for the most part, his performances have been uninspiring.
The 27-year-old has opened the 2020-21 season with one goal and one assist through nine games. His play on both ends of the rink has not matched his reputation as a dominant, two-way center.
Zibanejad is supposed to be a tone-setter, a go-to guy, and a leader. He exuded that kind of presence through his first four seasons as a Ranger, posting 233 points in 267 games while providing reliability on special teams.
He is currently mired in a six-game pointless drought, though, and it’s clear that the Rangers need No. 93 to reemerge as a key contributor. Perhaps, a deeper look at analytics can shed light on whether Zibanejad is getting closer to busting out of his slumping ways.
As the chart suggests (stick tap to Rob Luker), Zibanejad is generating more offense and more shots in recent games. I don’t think Zibanejad is ever a player to worry about, and his uncharacteristic start is probably a temporary concern – but the Rangers need all hands on deck to turn their season around.
Monday’s 3-1 victory over the Pittsburgh Penguins seemed like a rallying point, especially given the distractions the team has been dealing with of late. It’s time for the Rangers to push forward and Zibanejad needs to play a major part in the turnaround.
Follow Sean Hartnett on Twitter: @HartnettHockey
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