TAMPA — If you build it, goals will come. That’s what Rick Nash, Brad Richards and Ryan Callahan are telling themselves, “Field of Dreams” style, on a top line that has been encouraging for the Rangers but unproductive, at least in a statistical sense.
The trio has turned in three consecutive strong performances together since Nash’s return from a concussion that had sidelined him six weeks, even though they’ve only scored once in that span. Their offensive zone time has helped the Rangers (12-11-0) create and sustain momentum during wins in Dallas and Nashville, and they could be on the cusp of breaking out in Monday night’s clash with the Lightning (14-8-1).
“We’re there. We’re close,” Callahan said Saturday night after a 2-0 shutout win in Nashville. “After every period, we’ve looked at each other and (said) we’re right there almost getting one. It’s just a matter of one going in the net for us, and then I think it’s gonna open up. We’re getting the opportunities, we’re getting the chances.
“I’ve had a couple right on the doorstep. It’s fun playing with those two guys. They see the ice so well. I’m just trying to get to the front of the net, get some pucks for them.”
The line’s only goal the last three games was Nash’s swooping first-period, power-play break-in off Callahan’s primary assist in Dallas on Thursday. Still, Richards and Co. have swung both of the last two games in New York’s favor with pivotal shifts.
With the game tied 1-1 in Dallas Thursday, they turned the tide with a solid forecheck on the final shift of the second period and opened the third period with more puck possession.
Don McPeak/USA Today Sports
Rick Nash has one goal in his first three games since returning from a concussion.
Chris Kreider then scored on the very next shift. Saturday night, in a 0-0 game with Nashville in the final minute of the first period, Richards’ line once again stole momentum with offensive zone time. Often, the consistent offense they created was the Rangers’ best defense in allowing only 17 Predators shots on goal, a season low for a Blueshirts opponent.
“We had good long shifts in the ‘O’ zone where we wore them out and they didn’t have a lot of speed going through the neutral zone," defenseman Ryan McDonagh said Saturday. “We were able to stay up pretty good. We’ve talked a lot about that, our transition game and our gaps and spending time in their zone, and we did that very consistently (Saturday) night, which is a good sign.”
The second half of Alain Vigneault’s top six, meanwhile, has been opportunistic in helping the Rangers win without Richards’ line filling the stat sheet. Derek Stepan (goal, assist), Kreider (goal, assist) and Mats Zuccarello (two assists) have combined for six points the past three games.
Richards, Callahan and Nash combined for 10 shots on goal against Nashville, and Callahan should have scored on a beautiful, through-the-legs, backward pass from behind the net by Richards in the second period. They hope to convert those chances in Tampa on Monday after Sunday’s off-day.
“That was a great look,” Callahan said of Richards’ pass. “I put (the shot) where I wanted it. I don’t think the goalie sees it, but it hits his blocker. That’s the way it’s going right now. It happens, but we’ve just got to keep working.”
FINAL PIECE OF THE PY
Left wing Taylor Pyatt rejoined the Rangers in Tampa on Sunday. Pyatt has been out of the lineup since Nov. 8 with a concussion, but he’s been skating recently on his own in New York. His return will give the Rangers a completely healthy roster for the first time.
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