Blog Archives
Rangers Player Grades: Rick Nash, Derick Brassard and Mats Zuccarello
Bobby Bevilacqua
Mats Zuccarello and Rick Nash made up part of the Rangers top line, a great possession line that was also responsible on defense, and poured on the goals. Photo courtesy of MSG Photos.
When looking at every NHL team, each one features their top line, meant to contain the most skilled, best scoring forwards on the team that also play well together. Every line has its role, but the first line is where a lot of the scoring comes from.
Due to injury at the start of the season, and some new faces, Alain Vigneault struggled to find chemistry amongst the top three forwards. Rick Nash was always a top line staple, but Martin St. Louis started as the center in the first game of the season, because Derek Stepan was injured. Stepan was expected to be the team’s first center, but injury changed those plans.
At some point during the season, he decided to promote Derick Brassard to the top line, and soon after that, Mats Zuccarello on the right wing, due to how well him and Brass played last year. This line meshed perfectly together, and soon became the Rangers’ most productive line.
Nash, Brassard and Zuccarello could do it all. They play solid defense, maintain the majority of possession, and most importantly, score goals. Read the rest of this entry
Fourth line clicking when Rangers need them most
Bobby Bevilacqua
Tanner Glass, and the rest of the fourth line, have stepped their game up in the playoffs when the Rangers need their production most. Photo courtesy of MSG Photos.
In the playoffs, there may be nothing more important a team looking to make a long run than depth. Depth in the forward lines, defenseman and multiple quality goaltenders gives a team the best chance for success.
Last season, the Rangers embodied this mentality, rolling four lines that were a threat to score at any time. Everyone knows about the third line of Benoit Pouliot, Derick Brassard and Mats Zuccarello, which was arguable the team’s best and most consistent line throughout the playoffs.
But the fourth line Dominic Moore, Brian Boyle, and the rotating wing of Dan Carcillo and Derick Dorsett did a lot of things right too. It was a great defensive line, but could just as easily spend some pinning their opponents back in their own end. Don’t forget, it was Dominic Moore that scored the game winning goal in Game 6 against the Canadiens to send the Rangers to the Stanley Cup Finals. Read the rest of this entry
Zuccarello’s Garden appearance is good news for Rangers, fans
Bobby Bevilacqua
Mats Zuccarello made an appearance at Madison Square Garden for Game 5, which is good news in many ways for the Rangers and their fans. Photo courtesy of MSG Photos.
During Game 5 at Madison Square Garden last night, the jumbotron, known as “Gardenvision,” showed the injured Rangers winger Mats Zuccarello watching the game from the press box. Immediately, the Rangers fans showered him with chants of “Zucc!” He played it cool with a quick wave to the crowd, but later had a huge smile on his face.
When Derick Brassard handed the Broadway hat over to Ryan McDonagh, Mats Zuccarello was seen in applauding his teammates in the background. You can see that video here.
For the fans, it was very reassuring to see Zuccarello looking happy and healthy at the Garden. Some wild rumors have been going around, with people saying anything from him being in a coma and not walking to having his career over. Yesterday laid all of that to rest, but the extent of the Norwegian winger’s injuries were already known. Read the rest of this entry
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