Rangers lineup musical chairs has only brought out Mika Zibanejads best in up-and-down season

Mika Zibanejad’s season has certainly been chaotic.That’s been especially true recently. Buthe enters the break for the 4 Nations Face-Off playing his best hockey of the year.

If the Rangers are to climb into playoff position, it’s a needed development. Zibanejad recorded 16 points in his past 20 games, including eight points in his past five games, entering the break after tallying just 21 points in his first 35 games of the season.In the Rangers’ 4-3 win over the Blue Jackets on Saturday, Zibanejad delivered a goal and an assist. “We haven’t been perfect since Jan.

1, but I think it’s been a lot better,” Zibanejad said after the 4-3 win over the Blue Jackets on Saturday.“I think there’s been a commitment to playing winning hockey and I feel like it’s coming along.

… Today I thought we were on it from the beginning.” Since the Rangers acquired J.T.Miller in a blockbuster deal with the Canucks at the end of January, head coach Peter Laviolette has shifted Zibanejad all over the lineup. Zibanejad, a natural center the vast majority of his career, moved over to right wing on the first line with Miller handling center duties.

It quickly paid dividends and helped spark Zibanejad. During Saturday’s win, however, Laviolette moved Zibanejad back to center, but on the third line with Chris Kreider and Arthur Kaliyev.Jimmy Vesey, who had been a healthy scratch for nine straight games before Adam Edstrom’s lower-body injury prompted his return to the lineup, moved all the way up to the first line at right wing, with Miller at center and Artemi Panarin on the other wing. But the move didn’t seem to bother Zibanejad, who recorded a goal and an assist during that win. “I thought all the lines were going,” Zibanejad said Saturday.

“Everyone contributed in their [own] way.That was big.” Still, it was evident that Miller’s ferociousness provides a new dynamic that helps bring out the best in Zibanejad.

Whether Laviolette retu...