One Man Gang Gets Help

Yes Marian Gaborik was the catalyst for the seven goal outburst that took place last night against Columbus. This time though, finally, he wasn’t alone on the score sheet.

Marian “the Barbarian” Gaborik and the New York Rangers stormed back from an early 2-0 hole to score seven straight goals, en route to a much needed 7-4 victory against the Blue Jackets. Sean Avery, who was without a goal in sixteen games, emphatically snapped that skid, with two goals in fifty-one seconds. Highlight reel goals by two promising rookie blue liners, Michael Del Zotto and Matt Gilroy, with Brian Leetch in attendance capped what was the second time in this up and down season that they have amassed seven goals in one game. Artem Anisimov scored the other goal.

This story could have all been for naught, if Head Coach John Tortorella didn’t call a timeout after Columbus roared out of the gate to take an early 2-0 lead. Unlike the last memorable timeout(in New Jersey) “Torts” didn’t lose his mind and browbeat his troops. Instead, he insisted everyone should relax and remember that there was over fifty minutes to get this game back. Luckily for the team, and the fans, it took a little over sixteen minutes to blow this game wide open.

After the ensuing timeout, Gaborik, as he has done all season, set the tone for what was probably the most crucial point in this early season for the Rangers. Having already lost three straight at home, and four out of five overall, this team needed something positive. Enter #10, who took the game over and got the Rangers back in the game, went to the net and the only other solid offensive threat thus far with him, Vaclav Prospal, found him with a pretty feed. Credit to newest left wing Chris Higgins, keeping the play alive, finding Prospal, making the goal possible. The Rangers newly formed second unit of Avery-Anisimov-Parenteau(a line that played together in Hartford during Avery’s conditioning stint, looked good out there, creating chance after chance with Anisimov finishing a twice deflected Wade Redden slap pass. Michael Del Zotto then decided to take control of the offense and at the same time make Brian Leetch proud. He scooped up the puck at center ice, made a move at the blue line, rushed into the low slot, firing a wrist shot passed a struggling Steve Mason.

Sean Avery, after video review, scored on a wraparound and that was it for Mason. Mathieu Garon had little chance to get settled though, as Gaborik fed Avery brilliantly to take a 5-2 lead. Only a few seconds later, Chris Higgins, who had his best game as a Ranger, found the best free agent pickup in Rangers history(Gaborik) who waited patiently and roofed the puck beyond the sprawling Garon. Wait, the Ranger weren’t done, Matt Gilroy, who refused to be outdone by fellow rookie Del Zotto, found open ice flew by everyone and undressed the Blue Jackets backup for seventh and final goal.

For a team that scored only five goals in the previous three games, it was a night to exhale, if only for a brief amount of time. They are about to embark on a three game road trip, that will take them to South Florida, Tampa Bay and Pittsburgh. No time to rest, even if the holiday is upon them.