NHL

Why Chris Kreider threw Mika Zibanejad’s tablet on Rangers bench after missed shot

The availability of technology can be a valuable tool for hockey players to see what they did right or wrong in real time, but Chris Kreider spurred a viral moment during the Rangers’ series-evening 5-3 victory Friday night in Pittsburgh.

While on the bench in the second period of Game 6, Kreider ripped a tablet out of linemate Mika Zibandejad’s hands and slammed it to the ground behind the Rangers’ bench. Zibanejad had been seeking to review his missed breakaway chance from earlier in the period.

“He was looking at the breakaway, and I heard him start second guessing his move and didn’t really like that,” Kreider said after the game. “He beat [Pittsburgh goalie Louis Domingue] clean, hit the post. Don’t need to second guess.”

Both players scored twice in the game, the first goals of the series for Zibanejad, to help the Rangers force Game 7 on Sunday night at the Garden. Star center Sidney Crosby did not play for the Penguins due to a concussion suffered in Game 5, freeing up the Zibanejad line from that matchup.

Rangers
Mika Zibanejad and Chris Kreider celebrate a goal. USA TODAY Sports

“I don’t think it’s easy to stay positive through all this, but credit to the teammates around and the people around,” Zibanejad said. “At the end of the day, if the hard work is there it’s going to turn around eventually.

“Playing with the players I play with, I just try to do the right thing day in and day out and try to work hard.”