It could have been September.
The practice ice was filled with smiles, with the aggressive pursuit of pucks, with crisp passes, competition and celebration of untelevised goals.
It could have been confused with a team riding a six-game winning streak, rather than one that just ended a six-game skid. It could have been the team that won the Presidents’ Trophy two years ago, rather than the one whose season will end in just over two weeks.
“How we handle the situation is a reflection on all of us,” Rangers coach Mike Sullivan said after practice Saturday. “We want to make sure we bring a certain level of professionalism to what we do and we’re gonna continue to work at that every day. … I’m gonna do my best as the coach to hold them accountable to that. That’s our challenge.
“I think every day is an opportunity for us to try to move the needle, and that is establishing a level of expectation, trying to live up to a certain standard.”
A crop of Rangers rookies is helping, bringing meaning to an otherwise meaningless final nine regular-season games after sparking a win Friday over the Blackhawks.
Against Chicago, Dylan Garand earned his first career win in net. Drew Fortescue recorded an assist in his NHL debut. Adam Sykora scored in his Madison Square Garden debut. It was the first time since 1932 that three Rangers reached such milestones in the same game, which also featured Jaroslav Chmelar notching his first career assist and defenseman Matthew Robertson scoring his first goal in two months.
“[It] was a pretty cool milestone night for three guys and we kind of need it,” captain J.T. Miller said. “It’s great. This is such an exciting time for those guys. On top of that, they’re all playing great and making contributions to the game. I’m happy for them. I have very fond memories of my first chance as a Ranger, also. It’s a super exciting time. Obviously, we want to play well for ourselves, but also play well for them so they come into a good environment. We want everyone playing the right way, playing the same way.
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“You want to end the season on a strong note. There’s a lot of pride to play for, playing for the crest, a lot of guys playing for jobs. It’s a competitive environment.”
On paper, Sunday’s Garden matinee features two of the league’s most disappointing teams as the Rangers (29-35-9) face the Panthers (35-34-3). The view is different from the ice.
The games we won’t remember are the ones the rookies will never forget.
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“It brings a level of enthusiasm to the rink every day,” Sullivan said of the rookies’ presence. “They’re excited to be here. They’re excited about the opportunity they’re given. I think they’re making the most of it. I don’t think there’s any doubt that their level of enthusiasm becomes infectious.
“There are some guys that are getting great opportunities right now. I think our veteran guys have good opportunities to continue to create a standard that we can be proud of. That’s something that’s important to us every single day. Regardless of where you are in the standings, there’s always something to play for. Right now, those are the things that are important to us and we’re gonna do what we can to put our best game on the ice.”
