No one enjoys scoring against Rangers more than Jack Hughes, no one enjoys beating Rangers more than Jack Hughes, no one enjoys embarrassing Rangers more than Jack Hughes. There is no one there.
Then there was No. 86, who put the puck on his stick in the offensive zone in overtime after scoring his 16th goal in 23 games against the Blueshirts in the second period. The puck was on his stick…and it wasn't because Sam Carrick shoved it away when the New Jersey center tried to make a move on him.
The puck was on Carrick's stick. Seven seconds later, the puck was in the Devils' net when Carrick made a 2-on-1 with Riley Smith at 2:48 OT to lift the Rangers to a 3-2 victory at the Garden on Thursday. The Blueshirts' most captivating performance of the season.
The work ethic is back. Commitment and engagement are back. Sweater pride is back. Rangers have 3 wins, 1 loss and 1 draw in their last 5 games. You can feel it.
