Mika Zibanejad wins team MVP and Ryan Lindgren gets Players’ Player Award
The New York Rangers announced on Monday that Mika Zibanejad and Ryan Lindgren took home some lofty honors.
Zibanejad, 29, has recorded a single-season career-high of 90 points (39 goals, 51 assists) in 81 games with tomorrow’s contest against the Toronto Maple Leafs remaining.
Voted on by members of the media, this is the second time he’s taken home the award (2018-19). The 200′ player is beloved by his head coach Gerard Gallant, who praised Zibanejad earlier in the week.
“He’s a hell of a two-way player and I say it everyday,” Gallant said. “That’s what he brings to our group.”
Mika Zibanejad and Ryan Lindgren honored
Fresh off being named the Steven McDonald Extra Effort Award winner on Monday night, Ryan Lindgren was named the Players’ Player by his teammates.
Lindgren, 25, has recorded 29 points in 62 games this season and sports a +29 rating.
In his last game, the gutsy defender made a play epitomizing why he won the Extra Effort Award and the Players’ Player honors. During the Rangers eventual 3-2 shootout loss to the Buffalo Sabres, he blocked a shot with his face.
New York’s gritty warrior went down and ran directly to the locker room leaving everyone holding their breath only to come back a few minutes later sporting a bloody red spot on his right cheek.
“He’s done it since I’ve known him for the two years here,” Gallant noted. “That’s what the kid does. Every night he puts his heart and soul out there and plays hard.”
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