New York Rangers: Rick Nash’s Top Five Goals of 2014-15
Feb 20, 2015; Buffalo, NY, USA; New York Rangers left wing Rick Nash (61) takes a shot on goal during the third period against the Buffalo Sabres at First Niagara Center. Rangers beat the Sabres 3 to 1. Mandatory Credit: Timothy T. Ludwig-USA TODAY Sports
As the New York Rangers‘ leading goal scorer last season, Rick Nash had a ton of gorgeous goals to choose from to make this list.
With 42 goals total, Slick Stick Rick finished third in that department out of the entire league. The only two players who lit the lamp more often were Steven Stamkos with 43 and Alex Ovechkin with 53. Not surprisingly, Nash was also in the top ten in the NHL in the plus/minus column at +29. Despite dropping off in the postseason, it was still quite the year for Nash.
Without any further delay, here are the best and the most memorable of Nasher’s goals from last year, starting with one that didn’t quite make the list but should absolutely be never forgotten.
Never Forget – The Butt Goal
Out of all 42 goals, this was the first to come to mind because of just how bizarre it was.
In a November tilt against the Detroit Red Wings, Derick Brassard took a slapshot from the top of the circle. Spinning around in the right place at just the right time was big, bold, beautiful Nash in front of the net. Of course, the puck deflected off of Nash’s butt, bounced onto the ice and past goalie, Jonas Gustavsson. How’s that for a power play goal?
It was Nash’s 10th goal of the season and the first of the game where the Rangers went on to win in overtime, 4-3.
#5 – The Great Determination Goal
Facing the Pittsburgh Penguins, a battle for the puck in the Rangers’ defensive zone leads to Nash bringing play towards the other end of the rink. He passes to his winger, Mats Zuccarello, who chips it back to center in the offensive zone. Headed straight for Marc-Andre Fleury‘s doorstep, Nash tries to push the puck past the right post and double taps for a goal.
It was a great display of Nash’s individual effort. He stayed with it to bury his own rebound, giving the Blueshirts a 2-1 lead in the second period. The Rangers would later win it in overtime, 4-3.
#4 – The Magician’s Goal
At Madison Square Garden against the New York Islanders, Nash astoundingly slips the puck past a bewildered Jaroslav Halak, opening the scoring unassisted.
It was Nash’s fifth goal of the season, and he would score another goal before the final buzzer. The Islanders ended up winning it 6-3, but that first Rangers goal. That goal was magic.
#3 – The Mission Impossible Goal
Late in the season up against the Minnesota Wild, Nash fired a shot from the side of the net, from behind the goal line. Not sure whether the puck bounced off the goalie and in or hit the far post and in, but either way it surprised the hell out of Devan Dubnyk.
I’m sure it’s difficult enough to score from the blue line, but from behind the goal line!? That was something else.
It was his second to last goal, number 41: a power play goal to bring the Rangers’ lead up to 2-0. They would later win the game, 3-2.
#2 – The Shorty
The Rangers, shorthanded, were halfway through a penalty kill against the Florida Panthers when Nash stripped the puck off of phenom defenseman, Aaron Ekblad, and raced with it for a breakaway chance. Roberto Luongo stayed with Nash up until the Ranger faked to the right, ripping through the blue ice to the left at the last second and sank the puck in the wide open net.
Nash’s unassisted shorty was his 30th goal of the year and an equalizer in the game which the Rangers would win, 6-3, by the end of the night.
#1 – The Playoff Goal
In Game Four of the Eastern Conference Final against the Tampa Bay Lightning (New York trailing in the series, 2-1), Kevin Hayes retrieved the puck and passed to Nash flying up the boards. Nash, with his 6’4″ 220 pound frame, effortlessly bumped forward, Cedric Paquette, out of the way and crossed in front of Ben Bishop, sliding the puck past the goal line, barely beating the goalie’s left skate to the post.
As Bishop stands at 6’7″ – the league’s largest twine tender – it was a real battle of the titans, and Nash came out on top. He scored the first goal of the game and it sparked a fire under New York’s offense. The Rangers would win this one by a landslide, 5-1, to tie the series.
Honorable Mention – The “Falling With Style” Goal
In a mid-season match up against the Colorado Avalanche, Nash completes a wrap around goal as he’s falling to the ice, beating goalie, Seymon Varlamov. Not a bad way to recover.
It was Nash’s 34th goal, bumping the Rangers lead up by two late in the game. New York would eventually win, 6-3.
And that’s all for this Flashback Friday.
Next: Kevin Hayes' Top Five Goals
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