It has taken him 13 games, but Nikolai Zherdev can finally say he's getting into a New York groove.

The talented New York Rangers forward, who was acquired from the Columbus Blue Jackets in the off-season, set up the game-winner on Thursday against Atlanta and scored his fifth goal of the season in the victory.

"I am very comfortable," Zherdev, in broken English, told The New York Times. "It is better here than Columbus. I am very comfortable.

"New team, new system, every game I try better and better."

Zherdev, who turns 24 next week, is excited about living in the big city as opposed to Columbus. The native of Kiev can fit in a little easier in a city with a larger Russian community.

It was a similar situation for former Ranger Jaromir Jagr, who was able to blend in during his three-and-a-half seasons in the Big Apple.

The Rangers are hoping Zherdev can duplicate his season last year when he scored 26 goals and 35 assists in 82 games with the Blue Jackets. So far, with 12 points in 13 games, it seems to be an easy transition.

"You can tell, just watch him play, especially the last couple of games," Rangers blue-liner Dmitri Kalinin said to the Times. "He's happy to be here."