MONTREAL — Mika Zibanejad’s season with the Rangers has not been up to par.
But this is not the Rangers.
“You’re playing for your country,” Zibanejad said Wednesday before Team Sweden lost 4-3 in overtime to Canada to open the 4 Nations Face-Off. “It’s a lot different, but I think it’s a lot of fun, too. There’s a pride and there’s an honor that goes into wearing this jersey. Being able to play with these guys is a lot of fun and there’s a lot of excitement. I’ve been looking forward to this day and it’s finally here.”
Zibanejad, for the second day running, spent most of his session with reporters looking relaxed and content.
Even as his game has picked up recently with the Rangers, it’s a far cry from the demeanor he’s had for most of the year with the Blueshirts.
Having never before represented Sweden in best-on-best competition, Zibanejad is suddenly in a different environment, where the slate is clean and where he can just go out and play.
Yes, there are pressure and nerves — Tre Kroner is not here to be a punching bag for the USA or Canada, as it proved in fighting back from a 3-1 deficit to earn a point on Wednesday. But like everybody else here, that is eclipsed for Zibanejad by the excitement of finally getting to represent his country on a stage like this.
Sweden coach Sam Hallam started Zibanejad on his top line between Rickard Rakell and William Nylander, as much a show of faith as could be, and Zibanejad’s 20:01 of ice was more than every forward save Nylander.
“Rakell and Mika played together in the Worlds a couple years ago and were really successful. Pretty good buddies outside the ice, too,” Hallam said. “That plays in a bit. But mainly they’re three really good players. Willy can skate with the puck and if he can get the puck to Mika or Rakey, we’re hopefully gonna get some goals there.”
There is no weight of the Rangers’ season here, no Trade Memo or 3-10-0 December. For this tournament, Zibanejad can be free of that, and hopefully find the best version of himself before returning to New York.
“It’s been very impressive the last couple days here with practices and even the morning skate,” Zibanejad said. “Obviously playing with a lot of the guys through the national team or under-18s or under-20s and obviously playing against them, but I think you get a different feel for the guys that you’re playing against every day that you know how good they are.
“Just in terms of seeing that for 40 minutes on the ice in practice and seeing how they catch passes, how they make plays. It’s just all impressive and honestly, it’s a lot of fun.”
Credit: Source link
