So, in points produced he's 3rd in the league in playoff points. I consider that dishonest, so I go by PPG. So far he's 1.36 PPG, 14 games, 7 goals, 12 assists, 19 points, tied with Kucherov in PPG. That's a company that is ok to hang around with. Kucherov is paid a million more for his duties.
Well, Zibanejad has helped his team even in his early struggles when he JUST produced a 0.8-0.9 PPG as a scorned bum while still keeping defensive duties a guy like Kucherov could ever dream of. While helping Kreider pour in goals.
He can score in prolonged bunches or he can be a splendid playmaker (like all the time), he can be a beast 200 ft over the ice, whatever is asked. He might be a bit weak at faceoffs. But he has 15 takeaways crowded in a spot of alot of great defensive players (Slavin dominated that bit). Speaking of takeaways, Panarin is really great at it, he's a phenomenal forechecker in his own way. He steals so many pucks and isn't regarded as high as it should.
Anyhow, check Zibanejad's production in key moments as he has basically done in his entire career. Are the doubters done with complaining he's not a star in october the next time it happens? He needs the games to be important to get into the zone - or if he's just in the zone from having too much fun and outscores anyone in the league in bursts. Anyway he'll still carry the weight and the contract of his performance even when he's not in the zone. For being in a slump, Mika was still a really useful player for the team.
Can you see how he basically always goes turbo mode when the game really matters? So the next time we have the instant criticism Mika isn't a beast in october, remember this: This is what he plays for. I've seen exactly the same thing in the national team, Mika is amazing in the national team when you need him to be. He refuses to lose and loves to win more than most.
Can I call Mika Zibanejad a consistent star player that has a high floor in his game in his slumps while having amazing streaks when he's hot? More amazing than anyone else in the league at this point? He's consistent with an added determination not many teams can handle in key games.
