Rick Nash has proven to be the dynamic difference maker the Rangers were hoping for when they traded for him.
All seven of his goals have come in the third period of games. How does it get more clutch than that?
His physical ability, size, and stick handling skills have brought a fantastic boost to the Rangers offense. He’s a difference maker when needed to be and provides a spring in each players step when he jumps onto the ice.
The Rangers are 11-5-1 when he’s in the lineup and 0-3-1 when he’s out. That speaks volumes for how much of an important player he is for this franchise.
If the Rangers plan on getting back in the playoff hunt it’ll be behind Nash and a newly resurged captain Ryan Callahan.
New York Rangers Captain Ryan Callahan is going to be watching his teammates play without him for the next two weeks.
Callahan suffered a left shoulder subluxation last tuesday today night when he got into a little brawl with Philadelphia Flyers Max Talbot during the third period. After the fight he raced off the ice holding his left shoulder in pain and didn’t return. The MRI Wednesday morning confirmed the left shoulder injury and an estimated two week recovery.
Rangers Assistant Captain Brad Richards stated “Obviously the mood around here is that we want him back as soon as possible. He’s a big part of every part of the game—power play, penalty kill, and 5-on-5—but that being said we have to push on, it’s part of the game. Hopefully he is back soon.”
It’s true the Rangers will be missing one of their best offensive and defensive components. Callahan brings the intensity and play to their forecheck and penalty kill that most other Captains don’t. Losing him is a set back, but something they must overcome to become a championship caliber team.
“Consistency is key to Success” as Carl Hagelin mentions in an interview after the loss to the Penguins thursday night. Something the Rangers have been missing to the start of this regular season.
Hopefully some of that “consistency” will happen this Saturday night against the Tampa Bay Lightning with the return of Chris Kreider. He’ll be taking over second line responsibilities in place of Callahan.
It’ll be interesting to see if the Rangers pace of play picks up after the loss of number 24. This could either give them the spark they’ve needed all season or could result in a jeopardized playoff berth.
These next two weeks will tell the tale and for the Rangers, hopefully it ends up being a positive one.
