With a goal in the Rangers’ 7-2 win in Game 1 over the Canadiens, Rick Nash finally snapped a 17-game playoff goal drought.

Finally, Rick Nash scored. After going the first 14 games without a goal, the much discussed Rangers forward finally got off the snide. It came in the third period of the Rangers’ 7-2 Game 1 win over the Canadiens. On the back end of an extended power play, Nash got the monkey off his back when he beat Peter Budaj extending the Rangers’ lead to 7-1. Ironically, I called it.

https://twitter.com/NewYorkPuck/status/467744318808391683

Nash was having a good offensive game generating quality chances and assisting on Chris Kreider’s huge breakaway tally with 61 seconds left in the second period. At the time, the Rangers were clinging onto a 2-1 lead in a period the Canadiens dominated. Montreal had already sliced a two-goal deficit to one on a goal from Rene Bourque. A key Rangers penalty kill prevented them from even getting a shot. Before Kreider scored, Henrik Lundqvist stoned former teammate Brandon Prust. Brad Richards added a crusher with under 12 seconds left giving them a 4-1 lead after two.

At one point, the Rangers scored on three straight shots in a 2:29 span. After Ryan McDonagh tallied, Derek Stepan and Nash each notched power play goals. Stepan’s came on a 5-on-3 perfectly set up by the combination of Martin St. Louis and McDonagh. Twenty-five seconds later, Nash finally got one to go after taking a Mats Zuccarello feed in the slot. John Moore added a secondary helper.

It was important for Nash to score. Dating back to last year’s second round against Boston, he had gone 17 consecutive games without a goal in the postseason. From a psychological standpoint, it can only be a huge confidence boost. Even though he hasn’t been scoring, Nash has done the other things to help the team advance including finishing checks and blocking shots. It’s nice to see him finally break through.

Nash and Stepan become more essential if Derick Brassard can’t return. With Kreider flying, it’s encouraging. In Game 1, all three scored. A big series from the top line is a recipe for success.