Rangers ‘super impressed’ with impactful veteran on fourth line
They may not have come out on top, but the New York Rangers picked up a crucial point in their 3-2 overtime loss to the Washington Capitals on Wednesday. A big reason they did was the all-around play of Sam Carrick.
Needing all the points they can get in the next month to earn a playoff spot, the Rangers welcomed the first-place Washington Capitals into Madison Square Garden, literally and figuratively. They were too welcoming in fact, allowing Capitals forward Pierre-Luc Dubois to score just 1:04 into the game.
Fortunately, this wasn’t a crushing early-game moment for the home team. Instead, Artemi Panarin evened the score with a goal later in the first period at 13:37.
“It was a face-off, there was a bounce, it was in the back of the net, and you got to move on. I liked the response that we had for the rest of the first period,” Rangers coach Peter Laviolette said postgame.
The game stayed tied at one into the second period, when Carrick put New York on top. The 33-year-old was set up by a perfect pass from the blue line by K’Andre Miller, who received some help from the Rangers bench.
“The bench was talking to me, give them the second assist on that goal,” Miller said.
Carrick received the pass on his forehand and maneuvered by Jakob Chychrun – who was partially screened by Matt Rempe – to his backhand, and he beat Capitals goalie Charlie Lindgren at 8:05. That was his sixth goal and 18th point in 62 games, not bad production for a fourth-liner.
Not long after the goal, Carrick dropped the gloves with Brandon Duhaime at 12:54, firing up the Garden crowd, as well as his teammates.
“Any time he does it, the guys get lifted,” Vincent Trocheck said. “He’s one of the tougher guys on our team, tougher guys in the League, and anytime he drops the gloves and puts his body on the line, it just shows what he’s willing to do for the team.”
Carrick has been a trustworthy fixture on the Rangers fourth line this season, making his four-year, $4 million free-agent contract last summer look like a steal.
“I think overall the way he’s been playing, I think from day one I’ve been super impressed with him,” Mika Zibanejad said.
Well-received in the locker room, Carrick has been effective in replacing Barclay Goodrow as an experienced bottom-six forward for New York. Carrick is an excellent penalty killer and proven to be adaptable, playing with a variety of linemates at even strength this season.
“That fourth line’s been great for us,” said Trocheck. “I can’t say enough about Sam Carrick, the way he sticks up for his teammates, the way he’s able to possess the puck, his patience; there’s so many things he brings to the game. Defensively, he’s really smart, just an all around great player and he’s brought a whole another element to that fourth line.”
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Carrick’s effective play has had a positive effect on his younger linemates as of late, Matt Rempe and Brett Berard. Since Berard returned to the Rangers after being recalled from Hartford of the American Hockey League three games ago, the trio has been one of New York’s most consistent lines.
“That’s new and I think they’ve done a good job,” Laviolette said. “[Rempe’s] done a good job both defensively and he’s starting to create a little bit, and Sam gives you the same thing every night. I think Brett gives the energy, he brings energy to that line as well so that line can be effective and be hard to play against.”
Wednesday night was another productive, penalty-free game for Rempe, but the 23-year-old still imposed his physicality on the Capitals. In 10:11 ice time, Rempe tallied four hits and once again used his big frame to help set up a Rangers goal. He was camped in front of the net when Carrick got the puck and hindered Chychrun when he tried to defend Carrick – who got free and put a backhander in the back of the net.
“I still think [Rempe is] bringing his game, his physicality,” Laviolette offered. “He’s trying to walk that line, it’s tough, it’s difficult, but I think he’s done a good job of being physical and his game has been pretty good as well.”
Berard only had 8:33 TOI against the Capitals but continued his solid play, offering a positive sign for the 22-year-old, who has looked comfortable with Rempe and Carrick.
But the steady reliable veteran in the middle is the engine of the fourth line, having played every game this season. And he’s a big reason the Rangers were able to pick up a valuable point Wednesday.
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