NHL News: Rangers star Mika Zibanejad delivers deflating six-word statement to Peter Laviolette after loss vs Kings

The New York Rangers let a huge opportunity slip through their fingers in the 2024-25 NHL season. The Broadway Blueshirts had to defeat the Los Angeles Kings and they’d take sole possession of the second wild card spot in the Eastern Conference. It seemed easy enough, but fans in NYC have learned if it’s too easy, then it’s too good to be true for this year’s Rangers. Following the 3-1 defeat at Crypto.com Arena, star Mika Zibanejad issued a frustrating six-word message to Peter Laviolette and his teammates.

The Rangers remain on the playoff bubble but continue to squander critical opportunities to secure a postseason berth. After the Montreal Canadiens lost to the St. Louis Blues, the door was wide open for Zibanejad and New York to overtake the Habs in the standings—yet they failed to capitalize.

The Rangers are 3-6-1 over their last ten games, underlining what’s been a concerning tune all season long. Laviolette‘s seat continues to heat up as the Blueshirts steer further away from the playoffs, and frustration mounts in the locker room.

After the Rangers gave up their 1-0 lead over the Kings, Zibanejad delivered a harsh six-word statement about the team’s performance, issuing a wake-up call for the head coach.

Peter Laviolette of the New York Rangers looks on in the second period during the game against the Pittsburgh Penguins at PPG PAINTS Arena on February 23, 2025 in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania.

“We find a way to lose,” Rangers star Mika Zibanejad stated, via NHL.com. “It gets tiring because I feel like over the last few weeks we’ve been playing some good hockey and still losing. It’s hard to look at the positives.”

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Shesterkin’s heroics: not enough

The highest-paid goaltender in the NHL, Igor Shesterkin, played lights-out during the Rangers’ visit to the Kings. However, the team didn’t do him any favors, as failures to clear the zone and block shots left the goalie out to dry.

After the game, leader Vincent Trocheck issued a vocal statement about Shesterkin’s performance.

Igor Shesterkin #31 of the New York Rangers looks on during the second period against the New Jersey Devils at Prudential Center on February 22, 2024.

“He was spectacular, kept us in the game,” Vincent Trocheck stated about Shesterkin, per NYRangersInsider. “It almost goes unappreciated since you almost expect every night out of him, but he’s obviously a world-class goalie and shows it night in and night out.”

Get well matchup

The Rangers will continue their road trip with a crucial matchup against the Anaheim Ducks at Honda Center. New York cannot afford any more slip-ups, as every game has essentially become a do-or-die, Game 7-type clash.