Through his first 15 games, Brett Berard has made big plays that far exceed his 5-foot-9 height.
The 22-year-old rookie scored the game-winning goal of his NHL career, the first of his career, in Thursday night's game between the Rangers and the Bruins at Madison Square Garden, giving Berard a points streak in two straight games and five total points. Point of the season.
It was the second time Berard took the shot himself and was successful on a 2-on-1 rush with a teammate.
The winning goal in the Rangers' 2-1 home victory over the Bruins on January 2, 2025. Jason Zenz writes for the New York Post
The game was decided by Will Quill's goal late in the first period when Berard converted a top corner off Bruins goaltender Jeremy Swayman to give the Rangers a 2-0 lead at the 12:53 mark.
Berard skated out and slid through the zone on one knee in an emphatic celebration.
Was it because it was his first goal at The Garden?
Or did his emotions come out considering the state of the team?
“I think it’s a little bit of both,” Berard said. “It was pretty crazy and I felt like I lost control of my body, but it was so funny. It was so cool. It was special.”
Berard scored his first NHL goal in a similar fashion on Nov. 27 at Carolina, defending himself on a two-on-one rush against Mika Zibanejad, the Rangers' 134th overall pick in 2020.
The Rhode Island native currently has three goals, but his energetic and energetic play has been his most notable contribution. He also had one block, three hits and one takeaway in Thursday's win.
“He's a fiery guy,” head coach Peter Laviolette said of Berard. “That's the way he plays the game. The way he hits. He skated hard. He works relentlessly out there. It's nice to see someone like that rewarded. That was a big goal.”
The Rangers took the lead Thursday night with a goal that meant more than what was written on the scoreboard.
Chris Kreider intercepted Swayman's clearance attempt and dished to Zibanejad for a crash in the middle of the zone.
Riley Smith picked up the Swedish center's rebound and backhanded it past Swayman, allowing Zibanejad to dive and cross the goal line.
The goal could have gone either way, but Smith quickly motioned for Zibanejad to take the lead in a line of fist pumps in celebration.
It was Zibanejad's first goal since Dec. 11 and his first even goal since Nov. 19.
Brennan Osman has appeared in the Wolfpack's past three games, recording one goal and one assist with five shots on target.
“We have confirmed the reports about him,” Laviolette said. “They've done a good job. He's back and working. He's been out for a long time. That's why he's working.”
Wolfpack goaltender Dylan Garland, the Rangers' 103rd overall pick in 2020, has been named the AHL's Goaltender of the Month for December.
He became the sixth netminder in Hartford history to receive this honor.
The Rangers will practice on Friday, then travel to Washington to play their first game against the Capitals on Saturday, before taking on the Blackhawks in Chicago on Sunday.
