The Rangers outshot the Bolts 20-2 in a lopsided first period yet only led by one. Carl Hagelin and Derek Stepan scored 1:17 apart. Hags’ seventh was a rocket top shelf past Mathieu Garon. Stepan notched his fourth thanks to a nifty set up from Ryan Callahan. For a second straight game, D-Step played with Taylor Pyatt and Captain Cally. They had some tremendous shifts. 

John Tortorella slid Nash between Brad Richards and Hagelin. Obviously looking to get his struggling top center going, Tortorella got a bit of a better performance from Richards who assisted on Marc Staal‘s power play goal and won 17 of 20 draws. But the game simply was all about Nash. In his first game back, he had 12 shots and easily could’ve had four or five points. The skill level he possesses is jaw dropping. It rubs off on teammates. He had a couple of breakaways and powered through Tampa checks. Most importantly, the team played inspired and earned a critical two points.

Tortorella also put together a solid third line that cycled the puck effectively and won board battles. As odd as it is to see Brian Boyle playing with J.T. Miller and Marian Gaborik, the trio did a sound job. In particular, Miller who played aggressively. He made some strong power moves, shot the puck and took the body, reminding of Brandon Dubinsky. Perhaps one day he’ll get Dubi’s old number 17. 

The team not only benefited from Nashty’s return. But also got stronger on the blueline thanks to the returns of Ryan McDonagh (2 assists) and Mike Del Zotto (+1, 3 hits, 2 blocked shots in 20:53). Having our top four intact allows Tortorella to balance the ice-time. Plus Anton Stralman’s no slouch. The only blueliner who didn’t see much action was elder statesman Steve Eminger (7 shifts-4:20) who played well the other night in an expanded role. 

Marty St. Louis scored Tampa’s only goal on their second shot. He deflected home a Eric Brewer shot. The Rangers blew an opportunity to take advantage of a five-on-three. A Richards misplay allowed Victor Hedman to get a shorthanded chance which Henrik Lundqvist stopped. He made some timely saves, finishing with 24. Staal also made a great defensive play to deny a Bolt bid to tie it. 

Staal scored his second during a goal mouth scramble. A Lightning turnover in the neutral zone led to his tally. The Rangers caught a break when a Tampa clear went off the linesman allowing Nash to catch them in a change. It resulted in Staal beating Callahan to a Miller rebound for a huge goal. 

Nash put the exclamation point on the victory by putting away a Richards feed at 18:27 of the third.

3rd Star-Derek Stepan, NYR (4th of season, 11 and 6 on faceoffs)

2nd Star-Ryan McDonagh, NYR (2 assists in return)

1st Star-Rick Nash, NYR (4th of season, assist, 12 SOG-dominant)