Rick Nash, aka: The Beast of Broadway gives Rangers a needed win
Rick Nash wins it in the shootout vs. Carolina 10.16.14 (Photo: Jared Silber – Getty Images)
It wasn’t pretty, or even mildly exciting for about 50 minutes at the Garden. At least not until Derick Brassard deflected home the game tying goal in the third period.
Rangers 2 vs. Hurricanes 1 (SO)
The King stopped them all in the shootout 10.16.14 (Photo: Jared Silber-Getty Images)
The NY Rangers spent a majority of the night as if they were skating through slush. One man stood out throughout the contest and that was Rick Nash.
Once again the Beast of Broadway (TM) turned in a strong performance. In 19:06 of total ice, Nash threw 4 shots on goal and caused 3 takeaways. He and Henrik Lundqvist would play the heroes in the shootout with the King stopping all 3 shots and the Beast burying his attempt for the win.
Earlier in the game the Rangers really struggled to find their way against a depleted Carolina team. They were outshot 13-8 after one period and the natives were getting restless at the Garden.
CAR V. NYR 10/16/14 via ESPN
Of course, NY would pick it up only to be thwarted time and time again by goalie, Anton Khubodin. He would finish with 33 stops on 34 shots.
The Rangers defense would settle down and only allow 17 more shots from the 2nd period on. The King stopping 29 of the 30 total shots allowed.
“You need every point you can get,” a happy Lundqvist said after the game. “Just because we had a great comeback last year, it doesn’t mean it’s going to happen this year.”
He wasn’t the only relieved person in the room as head coach, Alain Vigneault was pleased with how the Rangers were “safer with the puck”. The jovial coach called it a “step in the right direction” and laughingly said, “never critique a win”.
Bottom line, the Rangers should have walked all over this Hurricanes team and they didn’t. Many of the guys still seem out of sync with one another and are looking for chemistry. The kids, Hayes and Duclair had some bright spots but were not put in difficult situations late as they saw little to no ice time.
Lee Stempniak continues to impress but has anyone seen Carl Hagelin this season? Matt Hunwick only saw 10 minutes of ice and played decent. He finished a -1 but wasn’t responsible for the goal.
The San Jose Sharks swim into MSG on Sunday for a 5pm tilt. If the Blueshirts want to be in that game, they better find a much faster pace and a whole new level.
Hey Rick! Whatever is in your Gatorade, pass it around!
RAGING RANGERS
1. Derick Brassard – Don’t look now, but the Brass Man has scored in 3 straight. Brassard will need to continue that level of production with Derek Stepan out.
2. Lee Stempniak – Another workman’s night with some time on the PP as a reward. He played over 17 minutes and was solid throughout the game. He even made a beautiful move in the offensive zone to set up a long Girardi shot out of nothing.
3. Rick Nash – The Beast of Broadway is on a mission. Even Brassard said after the game, “I’ve known him for a long time and as soon as I saw him in the first practice, I knew he meant business.” 6 goals in 5 games is some serious business to me.
REELING RANGERS
1. Ryan McDonagh – He’s had some flashes of brilliance, but I feel like he is doing too much and not letting the game come to him. He’s been uncharacteristically beaten a few times in the neural zone by trying to force plays. The C is probably adding some pressure on him, and it’s probably a good time for Marty St. Louis to pull him aside and say, “relax”.
2. Carl Hagelin – I’ve called the Dairy folks and his picture will be appearing on Milk Cartons across NY tomorrow. Seriously, 5 games with zero points and a -5!
3. Anybody on the PP – the 0 for drought continues (16!). Can we please get a butt goal???
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