Stephen R. Sylvanie-Imagn Images

Rangers Make Punishment Decision After Mika Zibanejad Incident

Originally posted on Athlon Sports | By Antonio Losada | Last updated Dec 15, 2025 12:28 PM ET

The New York Rangers are gearing up for an emotional Monday matchup against the Anaheim Ducks, marking Chris Kreider’s return to Madison Square Garden.

The night, however, will see a prominent player in Rangers forward Mika Zibanejad sitting out the contest.

According to The Athletic’s Vince Mercogliano, citing head coach Mike Sullivan, Zibanejad has been ruled out for the matchup after missing a team meeting.

“Mika Zibanejad won’t play tonight, according to Sullivan,” Mercogliano posted on X. “He missed a team meeting and this is the consequence.”

Zibanejad has 11 goals and 25 points through 33 games played this season, and his absence will prevent him from adding to his hot stretch, including scoring points in eight of his past nine games.

Mika Zibanejad won’t play tonight, according to Sullivan. He missed a team meeting and this is the consequence. #NYR
— Vince Z. Mercogliano (@vzmercogliano) December 15, 2025

If all goes according to plan and the suspension doesn't get extended, the Rangers would bring Zibanejad back for Tuesday's matchup against the Vancouver Canucks.

With Zibanejad out, Vincent Trocheck and J.T. Miller will be forced into expanded roles on offense, most likely skating for longer shifts and logging more time on ice on Monday.

The game against the Ducks also carries extra weight with Kreider facing his former team after last offseason's trade to Anaheim. The former Rangers alternate captain ranks third in franchise history with 326 goals in 883 regular-season games in New York.

New York Rangers forward Mika Zibanejad waves to fans.Danny Wild-Imagn Images

Kreider’s Ducks enter second in the Pacific Division with 19 wins and 39 points in 32 games through Sunday. New York, meanwhile, is out of the postseason picture, sitting fifth in the Eastern Conference's wild-card race with 16 wins and 36 points in 33 games.

The Rangers, however, maintain a dominant home record against Anaheim, winning 10 straight at MSG when facing the Ducks in regular-season outings.

New York hosts the Ducks on Monday and the Canucks on Tuesday, both games having a puck-drop time scheduled for 7:00 p.m. ET.

This article first appeared on Athlon Sports and was syndicated with permission.

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