N.Y. Rangers: Rick Nash TKOs St. Louis Blues In Opener

From the desk of:  RAISE GRESCH WITH THE GREATS

NEW YORK RANGERS: Was that a fresh start or salt in our wounds?

Is there such a thing as an exasperating opening night victory?

When Rick Nash is involved, yes.

He scored the 1st Rangers goal of the new season, and wound up depositing the game winner in a 3-2 victory over St. Louis.

• Nash - 2 goals, assist
• Kreider - goal, assist
• St. Louis - 2 assists

Chalk one up to a fresh start?  Unlike how last season ended, last night the Rangers got that one last 3rd period goal they so desperately needed to avoid overtime - a small consolation, I know.

Rick Nash?  Well..., he continues to perpetuate his own growing myth by proving to be a great regular season player who disappears in the playoffs.  He already has more goals than he did in all of May and June.

An opening night goal by Kreider is a very positive sign.  In fact, with (center) Derek Stepan out, we have to like what we saw out of the {Nash, St. Louis, Kreider} line.

On to Columbus:

The Rangers 1st Metropolitan Division showdown....

Rangers vs. Blue Jackets has quickly become a very nice rivalry.  On Saturday, one team will leave the ice with their 1st defeat of the season.

This should be a particularly fun game for Rick Nash (again), as well as being another chance for Ranger fans to watch old friends (who now have it out for their former team).

There's a lot of stored energy in these Dubinsky players, and old scores to settle.  Although it's early, the Clash in Columbus should be very entertaining indeed.

Singing the Blues...

Down goes Boyle!

So much for making his Rangers debut - defenseman Dan Boyle will miss the next 4 to 6 weeks with a broken hand suffered while blocking a shot against the Blues.

That could spell trouble.  Defensive depth is supposed to be the Rangers strength.  Although he's 38-years old and one of the smaller blueliners on the team, he's smart and still very effective.

Boyle joins Derek Stepan on DL.




Mike