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For the first time since March 5, Marc Staal returned. For a while, it looked like the Rangers All-Star defenseman might miss the rest of the year. Two months prior, he was struck by a puck dangerously close to his right eye putting him out of action. There were lingering doubts if he could comeback due to the visibility.
Handling such an injury is crucial. There are great risks if Staal can’t see at 100 percent. Yesterday, after missing the last 29 games (27 reg. season, 2 playoffs), he declared himself ready to go. In the starting lineup last night, he got a nice reception from Madison Square Garden.
True Blueshirts know how important he is to the team’s chances. Staal’s addition gave John Tortorella another top four defenseman he could trust. In his return, Staal took 21 shifts (17:17) finishing minus-one.
“I thought I would be more nervous than I was,” the Rangers alternate captain said after wearing a visor. “I felt pretty good going into the game, and I think the confidence is going to grow the more I’m out there and the more I’m in game situations. “I’ll feel a lot better next game.“
He was paired with Mike Del Zotto, allowing Tortorella to use John Moore and Anton Stralman to play on the third pair. More than anything, it balanced out the D. Tortorella didn’t lean as heavily on Dan Girardi (22:58) or Ryan McDonagh (20:55). That kind of impact can aid the sixth seeded Rangers, who are up against an offensive juggernaut. The Caps have controlled play at even strength with an aggressive attack that features Alex Ovechkin, Nicklas Backstrom and dangerous rover Mike Green.
“Once we knew he could play, he was going in the top four (defensemen),” Tortorella noted. “Even before you step on the ice, it really helps the room. “He’s so well-respected. He’s so well-liked. There are times when you can tell it’s going to take a little bit to totally get back, but he made some really big plays at key times, too.“
“It’s huge,” Game Three hero Derek Stepan said after scoring the clincher. “He makes the D-core calm. He’s got a presence about him that he can just control a game. He did a great job. Early on, I think he had a little bit of the jitters, but he found a way to just get back to himself.“
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