Martin St. Louis made his Broadway debut last night in the Rangers’ 3-2 overtime loss. Getty Images/media.nhl.com

Martin St. Louis arrived yesterday and took part in his first game as a Ranger. Wearing his trademark number 26, he ironically took 26 shifts playing 20:11 with three shots and a minus-one rating in the Rangers’ 3-2 overtime loss at Madison Square Garden.

While it wasn’t the end result he hoped for, St. Louis was reunited with former Lightning Brad Richards. After so many years apart, they didn’t miss a beat. From their opening shift together with Carl Hagelin, the new Ranger trio showed cohesion. Cheered loudly by the Garden, St. Louis nearly scored early off a great set up from Richards in the slot. But his one-timer was denied by Leafs goalie Jonathan Bernier, who would later rob Richards off a St. Louis feed. Hagelin also was thwarted on another opportunity. The line combined for 10 shots and were the Rangers’ most dangerous at even strength.

For two periods, the Rangers were unable to solve Bernier. In fact, they fell behind 2-0 when Nazem Kadri rebounded home a Nikolai Kulemin shot two minutes into the third. It looked like St. Louis’ debut would be spoiled. But with Richards in the penalty box, the team scored two shorthanded goals 1:19 apart to tie the game. Ryan McDonagh banked in a shot off Dion Phaneuf’s skate and Dominic Moore converted a Derek Stepan pass off a two on one to tie it at two.

Eventually, the game went to overtime where Tyler Bozak converted in front at 1:51 beating Henrik Lundqvist for a second time. Earlier on, he was taken down by John Moore leading to a penalty shot which he scored on. A frustrated Lundqvist slammed his stick ending a night where the Rangers salvaged one point.

”Tonight was a gutsy comeback,” St. Louis said. ”Unfortunately we didn’t get the extra point, but I was happy to come here and just break the ice.”

”I always felt if I was going to leave Tampa, the first place I’d want to play would be in New York,” he added. ”It’s been in the back of my mind for a long time, but I wouldn’t trade those 14 years in Tampa for anything.”

Given a second chance after spending parts of two seasons in Calgary, St. Louis went on to become one of the game’s best players winning a Hart, Stanley Cup and an Art Ross. Ironically, the Cup came playing alongside Richards who was awarded the Conn Smythe during Tampa Bay’s championship in ’03-04. They don’t win without St. Louis, who forced Game 7 by beating the Flames in double overtime. In 970 games, he finished with 365 goals and 588 assists totaling 953 points.

Now, the 38-year old who also recorded a four-goal game in a Lightning home loss to the Sharks on Jan. 18 begins what probably will be the final act of a Hall Of Fame career. Closer to his home in Greenwich, St. Louis will try to lead the Rangers to a Stanley Cup. He’ll do it playing with his close friend on the same line.