The top-line pivot came back for the team’s 4-1 win over the Ducks on Tuesday night

The top-line pivot came back for the team’s 4-1 win over the Ducks on Tuesday night 

at the Garden following a nine-game absence because of a delayed onset of concussion symptoms. Zibanejad slid right back into his spot between Chris Kreider and Pavel Buchnevich, the place he left when he was forced out on Nov. 28.

“I thi

nk it was a decent game for the first game back,” Zibanejad said after he had one shot on net in just 13:32 of ice time. “I think the skating was there. The positioning, the decision-making and the plays came along, and came throughout the game. It was good to be out there again.”

Coach Alain Vigneault joked about Zibanejad getting tossed from the faceoff circle three times — eventually going 4-for-9 on draws overall — and thought there was still quite a bit of room for improvement.

“As any player that’s been out a while, you’re trying to find your rhythm,” Vigneault said. “It was a first game, and I’m sure he’s going to be better next game.”

“It’s just the plays and the timing, and I think that’s what you just kind of get back into slowly,” he said. “I’ll get a good practice [Wednesday] and another game on Thursday.”

With Zibanejad’s return, David Desharnais was bumped down to the fourth line and played a terrific game, assisting on both of Paul Carey’s goals.

“Just Davie himself. He’s a great player,” Carey said. “He sees the ice really well. He makes everyone around him a better player. He wins draws and you just have to keep your stick on the ice when you are playing with him.”

Goalie Henrik Lundqvist was terrific in making 39 saves while starting his fourth straight and 29th in the first 34 games.

“The way I take care of myself right now as I’m getting older — the way I eat, the way I sleep, the way I prepare — I try to do everything I can to stay on top of my game,” the 35-year-old said