SECOND LOOK: MIKA ZIBANEJAD

The 2019-20 season was a candle that Mika Zibanejad burned at both ends. e New York Rangers forward kicked off the campaign with a fiery eight points in his first two games. But that was nothing compared to the final weeks when no player was even remotely as hot. Zibanejad scored 11 goals in his last six games, 17 in his last 13 and 23 in his last 22.

While those numbers were bolstered by a franchise record-tying five-goal performance in a 6-5 OT win over the Capitals on March 5, it was his consistency that le a lasting impression. Zibanejad lit the lamp in 18 of those final 22 games, a stretch that included a pair of six-game goal-scoring streaks.

“He’s gotten to the level I know he’s capable of getting to and I couldn’t be happier for him because there’s not a better guy,” Rangers coach

David Quinn told reporters.

“He’s put an awful lot of work into it. I’m not surprised he’s getting the results he’s getting.”

When the final horn sounded on the COVID-19 shortened season, the 27-year-old had amassed 41 goals and 75 points – both career highs – in just 57 games. His goalsper-game rate of .72 was tops in the NHL.

“What a fantastic player he is,” Quinn marveled.

A er years of hinting at what he could become, Zibanejad finally took the step from being a good player to being elite this season. Quinn, who may be his biggest booster, wasn’t surprised to see him author the year’s greatest breakout story.

“First of all, he’s got that type of talent.” Quinn told MSG Network during lockdown. “Not just the physical talent, he’s got the mental talent. is guy is so smart on the ice, [and