Vincent Z. Mercogliano | NHL writer

John Meore, jmeore@lohud.com

TARRYTOWN – While the NHL world was still buzzing about Mika Zibanejad’s hat trick in Saturday’s 4-1 win against the Ottawa Senators, he was enjoying a relaxing Sunday off.

In between PlayStation games of "FIFA 20," Zibanejad’s roommate got him to watch his highlights on social media.

That roommate also happens to be his teammate, forward Lias Andersson.

“He welcomed me into his home with open arms — feeding me, making sure I go to bed and everything,” Andersson said after Monday’s practice. “He’s been like an older brother to me.”

The two Swedish centers for the New York Rangers have formed a unique bond since Andersson was drafted in the first round of the 2017 NHL Draft. And when Andersson entered training camp unsure if he’d make the roster, Zibanejad invited him to crash.

“I’ve stayed with him for one-and-a-half months now,” Andersson said. “We play a lot of video games, discuss hockey and just hang out. We play a lot of Yahtzee, but right now it’s a lot of FIFA. We’re kind of into that.”

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At 26, Zibanejad is still a relatively young player himself. But on a team that has eight players who are 23 or younger — including the 20-year-old Andersson — he’s become an admired figure in the locker room.

“He holds a lot of respect in the room,” said another one of the team’s leaders, veteran defenseman Marc Staal. “He’s a fun guy to be around. He’s always in a good mood, smiling, and I think that helps everyone. He’s a big personality and he’s a great guy to have for those younger forwards to look up to.”

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He’s also a budding star in the league, though you’d never know it from his demeanor.

“That’s kind of his thing,” Andersson said. “He’s so calm off the ice.”

Even after a breakout 74-point season in 2018-19, Zibanejad wasn’t included on the nhl.com preseason list of top 20 centers. He’s certainly playing like he belongs, becoming the first player to open the season with eight points in two games since Jaromir Jagr in 1995 while earning recognition as one of the NHL's "Three Stars of the Week."

But Zibanejad’s game is about much more than points. He's one of the Rangers' top defensive forwards, a fixture on the penalty kill and ranks near the top of the league with a 64.4% faceoff win percentage.

“A lot of the young guys that come into the league can watch the way he plays the game — how hard he works in our own end, the smartness and managing the puck,” goalie Henrik Lundqvist said. “Stuff like that is so important when you come into the league.”

That influence is apparent when talking to the young players on the team, particularly centers such as Andersson and Brett Howden.

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“Me and Howds talk about that,” Andersson said. “He has the puck so much in a shift. He’s so calm with the puck.”

Andersson turned to Howden, asking, “What did you say he’s like?”

Howden replied, “Poised.”

“Yeah, he’s so poised with the puck,” Andersson said, adding, “He’s just a complete hockey player in my eyes, and that’s what all of us young centermen try to be. We look up to him.”

The Rangers can only hope that Zibanejad’s work ethic and steadiness rubs off on his teammates.

His roommate, in particular, seems to be benefiting from the extra time together.

“He’s been there for me since day one, taking care of me,” Andersson said. “I really owe him.”