Zibanejad won't dwell on OT turnover: 'That's sports'
New York Rangers forward Mika Zibanejad took the blame for the costly overtime turnover in Wednesday's Game 4 of the Eastern Conference Final, but he's not going to dwell on the game-defining play.
"It's making decisions. I see (Brandon Montour) kind of coming towards me," Zibanejad said, according to the New York Post's Mollie Walker. "I think (Blake Wheeler) is open because (Will Cuylle) is going to the net, trying to make the play, and they poke it and go the other way."
Aleksander Barkov gets in behind the Rangers D, forcing Blake Wheeler to take a penalty#TimeToHunt | #NYR pic.twitter.com/BAccve7iJu
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"Obviously, I should have probably just made a different play or decision, but I made the decision there then," Zibanejad continued. "I can't change it now. ... That's sports. Just come back and try to make another decision next time and hope it goes my way."
Blake Wheeler, playing his first game since being injured on Feb. 15, took a hooking penalty to prevent Aleksander Barkov from getting a clean shot on the breakaway after Zibanejad's turnover.
Sam Reinhart converted 13 seconds into the ensuing man advantage to win the game for Florida and even the series at 2-2.
Zibanejad and Chris Kreider were outchanced 11-2 when on the ice together at five-on-five, according to Natural Stat Trick. Both remain without a point in the series.
"We've got to do a better job of advancing pucks up the ice and establishing O-zone presence," Kreider said, according to Vince Z. Mercogliano of USA Today.
Rangers head coach Peter Laviolette was disappointed in his team's performance after a strong opening period.
"We can't afford lapses like that," Laviolette said, according to Mercogliano. "I don't have an explanation. ... I definitely think that we need to be better."
The Rangers return to Madison Square Garden on Thursday for Game 5.
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