Rick Nash celebrates Brad Richards’ goal with Derek Stepan.
AP Photo/Gus Ruelas

Ryan Callahan returned and so did the Rangers. After three days off, they returned for Game 2 of 82 at Staples Center. Led by their emotional captain, the Rangers gave new coach Alain Vigneault a victory by crowning the Kings 3-1.

On the game’s opening shift, Callahan delivered a big hit on LA defenseman Robyn Regehr. Playing throughout with Brian Boyle and Taylor Pyatt, Captain Cally provided a lift. His teammates followed suit with the kind of yeoman effort Garden Faithful have grown accustomed to. They went toe to toe with one of the league’s toughest teams and prevailed.

The Rangers won because their best players showed up. The top line of Brad Richards, Derek Stepan and Rick Nash dominated. Not coincidentally, they scored the team’s first two goals at even strength. Richards scored twice. Nash had two assists and Stepan helped set up Richards’ first. The trio had a great night combining for five points, nine shots and a plus-four. It was the kind of inspired effort Vigneault wants to see daily. Most encouraging was the play of Nash, who led the Rangers with six shots. He was hard on the puck and easily could’ve popped a couple. Nice to see him give max effort.

Richards just looks much better. He is faster and playing more confidently. He’s skating and creating. Oh. And Vigneault had him play center and take some draws. He responded by going 6 and 2. Stepan went 6 for 11. If I was skeptical of having two of our top three centers on the same line, I’m not anymore. The trio worked well together. Who knows? Maybe AV knew.

In their home opener, the Kings came out aggressive. Playing their physical style, they generated some good chances early forcing Henrik Lundqvist to be at his best. He was up to the challenge. Especially against top shooter Jeff Carter (6 SOG). The ex-Flyer along with Mike Richards were LA’s best two players. They were dangerous throughout. Remarkably, the Rangers were able to keep Anze Kopitar quiet. Credit Ryan McDonagh and Dan Girardi. The shutdown tandem blocked five of the Rangers’ 16 shots. Unlike the season opening loss, they saw more shifts than Marc Staal or Mike Del Zotto probably because Vigneault runs a different bench. Anton Stralman had a shade under 16 minutes while John Moore played 11:49. Like Tort, AV leaned heavily on his top four. The best asset he has.

Richards’ first came thanks to some Stepan hustle. A back check forced a turnover leading to a two on one with a sliding Jonathan Quick denying Nash. However, Richards pounced on the rebound to put the Rangers in front 1-0. He increased the lead to two thanks to some luck. In on an odd man break, Richards centering pass deflected off a King skate past Quick for goal number 2.

But before they could breathe, Joe Micheletti jinxed it. Noting how well the Rangers were playing defensively, Girardi turned the puck over to Mike Richards who set up Jake Muzzin for his first. Like clockwork. No wonder everyone hates Micheletti. Next time, shut up.

The game remained 2-1 entering the third. What happened next is probably one of the most bizarre plays in hockey. With Benoit Pouliot off for tripping, Boyle won a defensive draw to McDonagh. McDonagh cleared the puck down the ice. With Quick out to play the puck off a carom, he inadvertently allowed the puck to trickle off his pads right into the net. Stunned amazement from Sam Rosen and everyone else. An emotional Quick buried his head against the net. The odd McDonagh shorthanded goal quieted the arena. It really was weird eerily reminding of Martin Brodeur against Anaheim in ’03. To Quick’s credit, he responded to playful cheers by waving to the crowd after making a save. I loved it.

On this night, Lundqvist was better making 28 saves including 14 in a busy third. Hank was razor sharp. Aside from the two oddities, Quick was good too. But that goal he gave up is going to make the blooper reels. It happens. Even to a former Conn Smythe winner who’s a top five goalie.

HARD HITS

–Mats Zuccarello had himself a game. He might not have hit the score sheet. But it wasn’t from lack of effort. Zucc always hustles. He’s relentless. He forechecks vigorously and hustles back. He’s a much more complete player. He played with Derick Brassard and Pouliot, who was thwarted.

-In his season debut, Arron Asham was strong winning a scrap over Kyle Clifford. The rugged forward looked hungry when he was out for 14 shifts (9:41). He played on the fourth line with Dominic Moore and Derek Dorsett, who saw some PK time.

-I really liked Boyle’s game. He was strong on the puck forechecking effectively. He delivered five hits and registered four shots while going 8 and 7 on faceoffs. Boyle used his size well.

-Overall, the Rangers were 32 for 57 on faceoffs. Moore went 8 and 5 with only Brassard (4 for 10) losing more.

-Kings out-hit the Rangers 40-28. Dwight King had six with Matt Greene adding five.

-Rangers were 0 for 3 on the power play. It really was scary with them not generating much while forcing Lundqvist to stop the Kings shorthanded. He got lucky with a shot from Trevor Lewis hitting the post. The penalty kill got the job done killing both LA power plays with ease.

-Rookie Jesper Fast was a healthy scratch. My guess is he’ll go back down to Hartford by the weekend. No sense wasting him.