The New York Rangers had a golden opportunity to go up 3-1 in the Eastern Conference Final over the Florida Panthers, but Mika Zibanejad's turnover in overtime eventually led to Blake Wheeler taking a penalty and Sam Reinhart beating Igor Shesterkin on the power play to tie the series at 2-2. Zibanejad explained the decision he made on the pass that led to the turnover.
“It's making decisions,” Mika Zibanejad said, via Kristen Shilton of ESPN. “I [saw Wheeler] kind of coming towards me. I think he's open because [forward Will Cuylle] is going to the net, trying to make the play and they poke it and go the other way. I should have probably just made a different play, or decision, but I made the decision there then. I can't change it now. that's sports. I can just come back and try to make another decision next time and hope it goes my way.”
Zibanejad has struggled in this series, along with his line mate Chris Kreider. Zibanejad has yet to record a point in this series after playing well through the first two rounds of the playoffs for the Rangers against the Washington Capitals and Carolina Hurricanes. The Panthers' first line that features Aleksander Barkov has dominated possession each time it has faced Zibanejad's line. It is a tall task for Zibanejad's line to outplay Barkov's line, but it needs to be closer to even for the Rangers moving forward to advance.
The Rangers' power play struggled to star this series, but looked much better in Game 4, scoring the first goal of the game via Vincent Trocheck off of a pass from Artemi Panarin. The Rangers got another chance on the man advantage in the first period, and the power play moved the puck great, which gave Zibanejad a golden chance to put New York up 2-0 in the game. Unfortunately, the shot grazed Sergei Bobrovsky and went off of the cross bar. It was a bad break for a player who desperately needs something to go his way.
Rangers' stars need to step up to advance to the Stanley Cup Final
Despite the loss in Game 4, the Rangers still have everything in front of them in this series. It is still up for grabs being tied 2-2, and they have home ice advantage in Games 5 and a potential Game 7 if necessary. As usual, Igor Shesterkin has stepped up with great play in the team's two wins in this series, but forwards Alexis Lafreniere and unsung hero Barclay Goodrow stepped up in those games as well.
Alexis Lafreniere is arguably the Rangers' best skater at even strength in these playoffs, so it is not unreasonable for them to keep relying on him. Barclay Goodrow has already given more than could reasonably be expected of him offensively.
Simply put, players like Zibanejad, Chris Kreider and Artemi Panarin have to step up. This applies more to Zibanejad and Chris Kreider, as they are on the same line and have not produced much this series at all. Game 4 was much better from Artemi Panarin, as he assisted on the Rangers' two goals in the game.
The Rangers' star players can change their legacies in franchise history in the next few games.
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