Prior to Game 5 in their series with the Montreal Canadiens, Mika Zibanejad had been the object of some derision for his lack of presence on the ice for the New York Rangers.
Why he was singled out when the most of the roster had done a disappearing act is a 
mystery in itself.
Thursday night Zibanejad turned that around regardless of justification with a goal and two points.
The goal was as opportune as they come as he scored off an errant puck in overtime to beat Carey Price and give the Rangers a 3-2 win and 3-2 series lead.
“We had a lot of good chances and I think it was the opposite way around last time we were here in overtime (in a 4-3 loss in Game 2), they had some momentum coming in and they were pretty much all over us and we weren’t making any plays,” Zibanejad said. “And I think it was the other way around today. It felt like it was our turn and good to get rewarded.”
Chris Kreider attempted a shot form the left boards and the puck went off the heel of his stick across the slot to a streaking Zibanejad for the swipe and goal.
“I think there’s stuff that we didn’t do a few nights ago in overtime that we harped on as a group and I thought we did a better job,” Kreider said.
The Rangers came out in the extra session loaded and outshot the Habs, 10-3.
Jesper Fast (shorthanded) and Brady Skjei scored for the Rangers in regulation.
Montreal had a 2-1 lead in the game on goals from Artturi Lehkonen and Brendan Gallagher.
“There were opportunities to close out the game and [Lundqvist] made some big saves,” Canadiens captain Max Pacioretty said. “They got a bounce on that goal but nothing we can do about it now. We have an opportunity now to show what we have in this room. We’ve come back a lot this year and hopefully we can do it in this series as well.”
Henrik Lundqvist was solid in the Rangers net and made 34 saves to get the win.
“You understand the importance of getting this win, so it’s a great feeling, it’s a rush. When it comes to sports, yeah, that’s what you’re looking for, that rush you feel if you do this together. And now we enjoy this tonight and then we go home and prepare for our best game of the series, that’s what we need,” Lundqvist said after the game.
[WATCH: All Rangers vs. Canadiens highlights | RELATED: Complete New York vs. Montreal series coverage]
Price made 33 saves in taking the loss.
The series heads to Madison Square Garden Saturday.
“We’re going into a situation where we’re going to learn a lot about our group. We’re going to learn what type of character we have. I think if we don’t have character, this is the time where you’re going to doubt yourself,” Gallagher said. “If you have character, this is the time where the belief is going to come out of your group, and we’ll see what we have. But I’m pretty confident in the guys we have in here that we’re going to be able to just worry about Game 6. Now we’ve got to find a way to win one and the rest will take care of itself.”
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