New York Rangers: Top five unsung playoff heroes
When looking back on the New York Rangers’ recent playoff runs, there are certain players whose heroics go under the radar. Here are the top five unsung playoff heroes in recent Rangers history.
When New York Rangers fans look back on recent playoff runs, they remember specific moments and players. For example, the three-year anniversary of Derek Stepan’s iconic overtime winner against the Capitals to go to the Eastern Conference Finals just passed.
Fans took to social media to share videos of that goal, and often bring up Stepan’s heroics among other players. But there are certain Rangers players whose playoff heroics are overlooked.
Here are the top five unsung playoff heroes in the Rangers’ recent history.
Dominic Moore
Dominic Moore spent three seasons with the Rangers from 2013-2016. The saying “Once a Ranger, always a Ranger” applies to many players, one of which being Moore.
He chose to come to New York after taking the 2012-13 season off, and made his mark on fans’ hearts.
In back-to-back seasons, Moore scored clutch goals in the Eastern Conference Finals. The first came in 2014 against the Montreal Canadiens. He scored the only goal of Game 6, which turned out to be the game winner. It was assisted by Brian Boyle, who is the next playoff hero on the list.
The following season against Tampa Bay, Moore decided Game 1 of the Eastern Conference Finals. His goal gave the Rangers a 2-1 lead, and was eventually the game-winner.
In addition to timely goals, Moore was also always reliable in the faceoff circle. His playoff faceoff percentage in the 2014 and 2015 playoffs stayed around 55%.
Moore’s impact in consecutive playoff runs cements his place in Rangers history as one of the unsung heroes.
Brian Boyle
Brian Boyle has played the second-most playoff games since the 2011-12 season. Three of those playoff runs were with the Rangers.
Part of Boyle’s lasting impact with the Rangers is his playoff heroics that often go under the radar.
This is particularly true with the 2012 first round series against the Ottawa Senators. He scored the game-winning goals in Game 1 and Game 3. The Rangers would eventually go to the Eastern Conference Finals.
Fro 2011-2014, Boyle had 19 points in the playoffs. This is in addition to his prowess in the faceoff circle and on the penalty kill. He played a vital role in each of the Rangers’ playoff runs during his tenure with the team.
Even though he is now a member of the rival New Jersey Devils, Boyle’s playoff accomplishments as a Blueshirt will always be remembered.
Daniel Carcillo
Carcillo spent nearly half of the 2013-14 regular season with the Rangers. The enforcer may be known overall for his physicality on the ice, but as a Ranger he came through in critical situations.
During the regular season, Carcillo scored the game-winner in the Stadium Series against the New York Islanders. This is one of only three regular season goals he scored that season.
His heroics continued into the playoffs. In eight games Carcillo had two goals, both of which were critical in the Rangers series against the Philadelphia Flyers.
Carcillo scored the goal to secure the Rangers’ win in Game 3 along with his usual physical antics. Later in Game 7, he scored on a feed from Mats Zuccarello. This was the Rangers’ first goal in an eventual 2-1 victory to claim the series.
While his time on Broadway was short Carcillo definitely left an impact, especially in the postseason.
Carl Hagelin
Now a two-time Stanley Cup Champion with the Pittsburgh Penguins, Carl Hagelin once played a key role for the Rangers in the playoffs.
His point totals do not represent the whole story of his playoff performances. Hagelin brought his speed to games and was an effective penalty killer. Both of these skills were what helped him contribute to the Rangers’ deep playoff runs from 2012-2015.
Hagelin’s star moment came in his last season with the Rangers. Ironically, he scored the game-winning goal to eliminate the Penguins in the first round.
Most fans remember his suspension in the playoffs in 2012, the first playoff run of his career. However, ever since then, Hagelin proved to be a clutch playoff performer for the Rangers.
Michael Del Zotto
Del Zotto once held a spot in the Rangers top four defensemen. His puck moving and offensive abilities stood out from the other defensemen on the Rangers at the time.
In the 2012 playoff run, Del Zotto played top minutes. This includes over 40 minutes played in the Rangers’ triple overtime win in Game 3 against the Washington Capitals. He also scored a goal in Game 7, which turned out to be the game-winner.
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In just two playoff runs with the Rangers, the only trips to the playoffs in his career, Del Zotto showed why he deserved top minutes.