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Rookie J.T. Miller beats Dan Ellis for the win.
Copyright Getty Images/by Frank Franklin II |
For once, John Tortorella went with instinct. By sending out a shootout trio that included 19-year old rookie J.T. Miller, he rewarded his best players. Even if that meant Rick Nash, who otherwise had a quiet night, the shootout ace and youngest player on the roster delivered a much needed victory over a team they trailed in the standings.
Too bad they didn’t get it done in regulation. Instead, they settled for beating Dan Ellis twice in a 2-1 Rangers win over the Hurricanes at MSG. The skill competition is hardly my favorite. But I’ll take it. The superior team deserved the extra point for a much better effort after a dismal first period.
”It means nothing if we don’t go into Jersey and play the same way,‘‘ gritty captain Ryan Callahan noted after helping set up USA linemate Derek Stepan’s tying marker in an inspired second. ”We have to go to Jersey and show that kind of effort we did in the second and third, and pucks will start going in for us, too.
‘‘There’s no concern in this room. We know we have guys in here that can score goals, and it’s going to come.’‘
Truthfully, it was one of their best games of the season. For once, the Rangers showed the kind of resiliency that was a trademark last year. They were brutal in the first and were predictably booed with Carolina getting their lone goal thanks to captain Eric Staal in the final minute. The Canes controlled the period by skating circles around the Blueshirts, who seemed stuck in quicksand. They were out-shot 14-6.
Whatever Tortorella said in the locker room worked. He was on the bench three minutes before the start of the second. The team responded by dominating the second. Right off the first shift, they were stronger with Nash almost scoring. It was that kind of night for the reunited line of Nash, Marian Gaborik and Brad Richards. They came close but couldn’t get one past Ellis, who was the only reason the Canes got a point. He finished with 35 saves and somehow was omitted from the three-star selection by the blind media.
Tortorella played everyone, including Miller who was noticeable most of his 15 shifts. Already responsible defensively, he anchored a line with Brian Boyle and Taylor Pyatt that cycled the puck. As usual, whatever line Callahan was on was strong. He played with Stepan and Swedish speedster Carl Hagelin, who drew the primary helper on Stepan’s eighth. It came at even strength following a powerless play. Callahan was instrumental starting the play and then bumping into Ellis for an easy Stepan follow up of a Hagelin rebound. Callahan was pushed in. The refs let it go.
It might’ve been a break. Staal was nabbed for a dubious goalie interference in the first which negated a Carolina power play. Maybe they deserved one considering the strong response. You earn your breaks. It was the only way they beat Ellis conventionally. He stood on his head.
Offense has been an issue. Part of it’s been a lack of shots. They fired a lot more frequently. Mike Del Zotto was our best player. He’s often criticized for passing up opportunities. Tonight, he was more aggressive and registered five shots, including a couple of tough ones on Ellis. With Marc Staal out, Del Zotto is the most important defenseman. Ryan McDonagh struggled throughout in extended minutes. Del Zotto didn’t along with capable partner Steve Eminger (20:56 TOI), who has been a different player since returning. Del Zotto received 28 shifts (25:17) and was active.
Tortorella even gave Roman Hamrlik over 10 minutes. He was better. If they’re going to dig out of this mess, everyone must chip in. That’s what we got even if the power play continued to mystify. Just decline it.
Amazingly enough, Ellis stoned Micheal Haley on a feed from Jeff Halpern. It was one of his best stops along with getting a piece of a Nash point blank shot on an early breakaway. He also stopped five more in a wild overtime. Four-on-four hockey is so entertaining. It’s a shame that the NHL continues to play only five before taking 10 minutes to re-ice it for the shootout. Play another five!
In the shootout, Nash undressed Ellis with a backhand tuck. Henrik Lundqvist denied leading Canes’ scorer Jiri Tlusty. After Ellis forced Callahan wide, Lundqvist caught a break when Alexander Semin’s backhand deke drew iron. Another break. It set the stage for Miller, whose previous attempt was one of the best ever. Only he didn’t finish. For an encore, he slowly moved in and as he made a deke fumbled the puck before recovering and then went wide on Ellis- converting from a tough angle. Cool stuff from the kid.
Now, they must follow it up tonight in enemy territory. They owe the Devils one.
NY Puck Three Star Selection:
3rd Star-Ryan Callahan, NYR (assist, 4 SOG, 4 hits, 4-and-2 on draws incl. 2 critical ones)
2nd Star-Mike Del Zotto, NYR (5 SOG, +1 in 25:17)
1st Star-Dan Ellis, Car (35 saves-many big ones)
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Battle Of Hudson 