Girardi returns, nets game-winning goal
For the most part, they were the Raggedy Rangers at the Garden on Sunday, obviously suffering from back to back-itis against the rested Coyotes following Saturday’s emotional victory in D.C.
But despite their least artistic performance of the year, the Blueshirts persevered to record a 3-2 victory that might mean every bit as much to their self-image as anything that preceded it.
“We were stressing before the game, especially to the young guys, that yeah, we had a huge win in Washington but it would mean nothing if we couldn’t back it up,” said Dan Girardi, who returned to the lineup and broke a 2-2 tie with a 40-foot knuckler at 1:55 of the third period. “Maybe it wasn’t the prettiest, but we got it done.”
Girardi, who had missed the previous three games with a groin issue, was more than solid in 19:15 of work while paired primarily with Brady Skjei. The goal, of course, stands out, but the veteran made a potentially game-saving play by getting his stick on Lawson Crouse’s attempted feed to a wide-open Laurent Dauphin in the slot with just under nine minutes remaining.
“I knew he had a guy backdoor. When in doubt, take away the passing lane,” Girardi said. “It was a read and react play. Just something I’ve learned along the way.”
It is that kind of play that inspires confidence from Alain Vigneault, who hinted after the game that Girardi might well return to a familiar role as Ryan McDonagh’s first-pair partner. It’s that kind of play that his teammates appreciate. Well, they appreciate the winning goal, too.
“I’m so happy for him,” said Henrik Lundqvist, outstanding over the final 59:27 after allowing a goal on a deflection just 33 seconds into the match. “He’s been working really hard, getting ready for camp, getting ready for the season. Then right away he has to sit out for a few games. That’s never easy but I just love the way he competes out there.
“When he gets the game-winner like that, it’s all smiles here.”
The Rangers competed all night even if it was a slog for them against a team that was the most physical they’d faced thus far. The Blueshirts were careless with the puck, turning it over at inopportune times and inappropriate spots of the ice. But they were able to recover in the moment and over 60 minutes of moments.
“It’s important as a group that we’re honest evaluating our game on an individual and team basis,” Derek Stepan said. “Maybe it was because we got in late after the game in Washington and were facing a team that hadn’t played since Friday, but this certainly wasn’t our best.
“But I like the way we made adjustments and the way we competed. It’s not going to be perfect every night but you can’t open yourself up to big mistakes and we didn’t. In this league, you just have to find a way to win a hockey game.”
The Rangers played without Chris Kreider, who was down after experiencing mid-day neck spasms. With Pavel Buchnevich retroactively placed on IR because of the back spasms that have sidelined the Russian for the last four games, the Blueshirts were thus without the two wingers who flanked Mika Zibanejad in the club’s first two games.
Oscar Lindberg came off IR to take Kreider’s spot in the lineup while J.T. Miller moved up to skate with Zibanejad and Mats Zuccarello. And it was Miller who scored with the man-advantage to give the Blueshirts a 2-1 lead at 5:45 of the second after Josh Jooris had tied things midway through the first.
“I didn’t feel pressure,” said Miller. “I’ve played with Zuke plenty before and I understand what it takes to play with those guys. You have to play heavy and get in on the forecheck for those two to make some plays.”