Rangers rookies ‘only going to get better’ after leading way in OT win
The New York Rangers began Monday night by honoring the heroes of their run to the Stanley Cup in 1994 before a game against the Boston Bruins at Madison Square Garden. They ended it with a rare home victory thanks to a couple of kids they’re banking on for future success.
With Hall of Famers Mark Messier and Brian Leetch among those in attendance, rookie defenseman Matthew Robertson’s spectacular goal at 3:52 of overtime lifted the Rangers to a 4-3 win over their Original Six rival.
It was the fourth NHL goal in the 24-year-old’s career — and the first overtime winner. The Rangers’ second-round pick in 2019 is establishing himself as a regular on the blue line and figures to get more time after they finalized a deal sending veteran Carson Soucy to the New York Islanders after the game.
Robertson carried the puck from just inside the Rangers blue line into the Boston zone and ripped a shot that gave the Rangers just their third win in 14 games — and first victory at the Garden since Dec. 20.
“Honestly, I just blacked out and just smiled,” Robertson said when asked about his emotions on the game-winner. “I was excited. It’s huge for us to get the win.
“I was skating up and I was going to pull back and delay, but then I thought I had a step on the guy. Just tried to take it to the net, and I kind of blacked out from there.”
Asked if that meant he’d go back and look at the replay, he smiled and said, “I probably will, yeah.”
Robertson said he hasn’t forgotten the four years he put in with the Rangers’ AHL affiliate in Hartford before getting his opportunity to earn a regular NHL job this season.
“I remind myself, honestly as much as I can, just how hard it is to get here and just to keep pushing.” he said. “You can go back to where to where I was easily. You can get sent down at any time.”
Rookies Matthew Robertson, Gabe Perreault fuel OT win
Not surprisingly, Robertson was the game’s First Star. The Second Star was 20-year-old rookie forward Gabe Perreault, whose terrific pass set up J.T. Miller’s goal at 12:35 of the second period. The son of former NHL center Yanic Perreault is beginning to look like he’ll be able to handle the top-six role the Rangers envision for him.
Miller beat Joonas Korpisalo with a one-timer from the right circle after a perfect left-to-right pass from Perreault, who timed the feed perfectly to avoid having either of the two Boston defensemen break up the rush. It’s the kind of play the Rangers are counting on from their first-round pick (No. 23 overall) in the 2023 draft.
“That pass he made to J.T., that’s an elite play,” coach Mike Sullivan said postgame. “There’s a lot of guys that don’t have the vision or the skillset to execute the play. It was a really smart play on his part, just the vision to see it. We’re really excited about the progress he’s made.”
Sullivan is pleased with the development of the two young players in a season that’s been full of disapointments.
“Robby’s been pretty good on the blue line for us,” he said. “He has pretty good offensive instincts also; you could see it on the goal. His mobility is one of his biggest strengths.”
In 43 games this season, Robertson has 10 points (four goals, six assists), including two goals in his past four games
Robertson’s primarily played on the third defense pairing for the Rangers. But with Soucy no longer blocking him on the left side, Robertson very well could take on more responsibility. Against the Bruins, Robertson logged an NHL career-high 22:01 TOI, primarily on the second pairing with Will Borgen.
As for Perreault, who is playing in the top-six forward group and has eight points (three goals, five assists) in 20 games, Sullivan said the more he’s out there, the better he gets.
“I think Gabe has done a great job playing with Mika (Zibanejad) and J.T.,” he said. “You can see his offensive instincts. I think he’s getting more comfortable with the game with each game that he plays and the experience that he gets. He has the instincts to play with those guys, and I think it’s evident.”
Miller agreed with his coach that more playing time will do nothing but benefit Robertson and Perreault.
“I’m happy for them,” he said. “They’re big parts of our team and I’m sure they’re only going to get better with more experience.”
Robertson’s goal gave the Rangers just their sixth win in 23 home games this season and brought some smiles into a locker room where they’ve been scarce in recent weeks. Miller hopes it leads to better things before the NHL Olympic break begins after a home game against the Carolina Hurricanes next Thursday.
“I just think we should try to enjoy this, but also feel hungry going into the next one and not just sit back and realize that we got a win,” Miller said. “It’s important that we carry this momentum into this week before the (Olympic) break. I think we have four more games before the break, so let’s try to end on a good note.”
In a season that’s all but certain to end without a trip to the Stanley Cup Playoffs, improvement by young players like Robertson, Perreault and rookie center Noah Laba is vital. Sullivan is optimistic the youngsters will add some spark to a team that’s expected to be dealing off veterans before the NHL Trade Deadline on March 6.
“When we can infuse our lineup with youth and energy,” Sullivan said, “I think it bodes well for us moving forward.”
