Vesey does it twice in victory
WASHINGTON — Teams all across the NHL coveted Jimmy Vesey when the Harvard product hit free agency in mid-August. Several teams were given a chance to sit down with the 23-year-old and his camp to make a sales pitch before the Boston native chose the Rangers, who early on are reaping the benefits.
Vesey scored the tying and winning goals three minutes apart in the second period of the Rangers’ 4-2 comeback victory over the Capitals Saturday night at Verizon Center, giving him three goals for the season.
The strengths the Hobey Baker winner displayed over the first four games and throughout the preseason were encapsulated on his winning goal. Vesey made it look easy, showing speed by working his way around Karl Alzner, determination on a power drive to the net while holding Alzner off with Matt Niskanen closing in on the crease and skill to beat Braden Holtby (22 saves) by going to his backhand before a five-hole finish.
“He’s pretty fearless,” Marc Staal said of Vesey. “That’s an uneasy feeling doing that coming across the crease.”
The rookie’s power-play goal at 11:22 of the second tied the game. Derek Stepan’s point shot into traffic ended up with Rick Nash at the net-front, and Nash quickly backhanded a pass to Vesey, who had an open net with Holtby just beyond the crease. Nash added an empty-netter.
“I think I’ve been getting a lot of chances and I’m still figuring out how to score goals in this league,” Vesey said. “It’s the best league in the world, so I’m just trying to learn every day and get better, and tonight was big for me I think.”
The Rangers (3-2), who play Sunday night against the Coyotes at the Garden, trailed 2-0 after the first period before a three-goal second, which began with Brandon Pirri’s 39-footer on the rush 2:21 in. Henrik Lundqvist stopped all 18 Capitals shots over the final two periods to finish with 26 saves.
Shortly after Pirri’s goal, his second of the season, the Blueshirts killed off a four-minute power-play after Mika Zibanejad’s high-stick cut T.J. Oshie’s lower lip. Washington (3-1-1), which won the Presidents’ Trophy last season, had just one shot on goal during the four minutes while the Rangers blocked three shots. Lars Eller scored just 1:33 into the game after Brooks Orpik stopped Adam Clendening’s clearance attempt at the blue line and sent the puck into the slot, where Eller redirected it in. Familiar foe Alex Ovechkin evaded Staal’s poke attempt and sniped a goal from just beyond the right dot as Staal kept him to the outside on the rush.
“That’s how good he is,” Staal said of Ovechkin.
Vesey has stood out to his teammates and coach Alain Vigneault not only for his abilities, but his confidence and the way he’s carried himself. Veteran players like Nash and Staal noted the maturity he’s shown.
“He’s a guy that guys really like,” Nash said, “and that’s probably the most important thing.”
GIRARDI MANAGING: Dan Girardi, who missed his third straight game because of a groin strain, skated Saturday morning and could play Sunday vs. Arizona if he responds well.