New York Rangers: Mats Zuccarello’s Top Five Goals of 2014-2015
Mar 10, 2015; Uniondale, NY, USA; New York Rangers right wing
Mats Zuccarello(36) celebrates the go-ahead goal by New York Rangers left wing
Rick Nash(not pictured) in front of New York Islanders defenseman
Travis Hamonic(3) during the third period at Nassau Veterans Memorial Coliseum. The Rangers defeated the Islanders 2-1. Mandatory Credit: Brad Penner-USA TODAY Sports
The Norwegian Hobbit has grown quite a following, since debuting in the 2010-2011 season. Fans of the New York Rangers flocked to the 5’7 winger almost immediately.
Mats Zuccarello offered something that had not been seen on a regular basis since Marian Gaborik: scoring talent.
I am not talking about scoring 40+ goals or parking their rear at the goal crease and grinding out an ugly goal. No, I am referring to a flashy, playmaking ability, the willingness to out-deke whoever is in net.
New York Rangers
On top of that, he is willing to stand up to the best of them, throw his 179 lbs. (according to blueshirtsunited.com and nhl.com) around, even if he is heavily out-weighed. He’s not afraid to put someone in their place.
But, Zuccarello has not made a living in the NHL as an enforcer. It’s been his skills with the puck that have drawn him the attention of the masses.
However, the right winger fell off his scoring pace from 2013-2014 of 59 points in 77 games. Last season, Zuccarello recorded 49 points in just as many games, drawing criticism about him being worth the money being shelled out.
Despite this, he remained a key part to the Rangers lineup. His play with the puck, and ability to find the open man with unordinary passing was missed during the teams playoff run last season.
If it were not for an accidental puck to the side of his head, Zuccarello may have influenced the outcome of the Rangers fortunes.
Reports this offseason indicate that he has recovered well from his head injury scare and will be set to go come training camp and the 2015-2016 season.
In this Flashback Friday, we highlight five goals of Zuccarello during the 2014-2015 season that made fans smile and opposing goalies silly and sad.
Next: The Hobbit fakes Crawford out of the picture