Oliver Bjorkstrand knows he cant be pouting as he vies for a Rangers turnaround
This isn’t what Oliver Bjorkstrand envisioned. The six-time 20-goal scorer was banking on a bounce-back season, signing with the Rangers for an opportunity to claim a role in the top six after being relegated to the bottom six last season with the Lightning.With Tampa Bay, he received the lowest ice time of his career (13:38), resulting in his lowest goal total (12) in eight years, his fewest shots on goal in a full season and 162 fewer total shots than he’d attempted in Seattle just two years prior. Join Post Sports+ for exciting subscriber-only features, including real-time texting with Mollie Walker about the inside buzz on the Rangers.
Though Bjorkstrand opened this season on the Rangers second line, he was quickly demoted to the fourth line in favor of Tye Kartye. In Saturday’s 1-0 overtime loss at Columbus, Bjorkstrand played single-digit minutes for the fifth time in seven games.The 31-year-old took just one shot against the Blue Jackets, which bounced off the crossbar, prompting visible frustration from the veteran. “You only get so many chances,” Bjorkstrand said two days later.
“Sometimes, when you feel like you mess it up, it kind of gets to you.” Bjorkstrand’s outlook changed in Monday’s 5-2 win over the Ducks as he strengthened his case for more opportunities. While seeing his most ice time (12:08) since the second game of the season, Bjorkstrand recorded his second multigoal game with the Rangers.Despite ranking 17th on the team in average playing time (10:16), Bjorkstrand is now tied with Gabe Perreault for the second-most goals (four) on the Rangers. Bjorkstrand, who sealed the win by scoring midway through the second period and adding another early goal in the third, took just three shots on the night, improving his shot percentage (23.5) to third best on the team.
The veteran wing previously scored twice in the win against the Islanders on Oct.6, then was held without a point in five straight games while playing...