It is almost two years since the day Mats Zuccarello’s hockey career almost ended. Two years since he took a puck to the head that left him unable to speak for four days.
It was Game 5 against the Penguins, April 24, 2015, when Zuccarello took a Ryan McDonagh slap shot in the helmet with 3:58 left in the first period.
While his teammates celebrated Carl Hagelin’s game-winning overtime goal, Zuccarello was on his way to the hospital.
There are comebacks. And there are comebacks.
When he was asked after scoring the tying and winning goal in Saturday night’s 3-1 win over the Canadiens in Game 6, giving the Rangers a 4-2 series victory, it’s understandable that Zuccarello had to search for the right words.
“It’s special for sure, playing at home to be able to win a game like that,’’ Zuccarello said. “It’s something you enjoy tonight and then we got to regroup for next series.
“Of course, it’s special. And in front of the home fans that have been supporting me so much and teammates that are unbelievable here. … It’s a proud moment for sure.’’
It is a moment that almost never happened. Forget concussion, Zuccarello suffered a fracture skull and bleeding on the brain. He lost feeling in the right side of his face.
Turns out one of the smallest Rangers has the biggest heart.
Zuccarello told every reporter who stopped by his locker Saturday morning that the Canadiens were going to come hard. The Rangers didn’t get the message. The Rangers were outshot 11-6 and trailed 1-0 after the first period.
They needed a lift, and Zuccarello provided it. His power-play goal at 2:26 of the second period tied the score at 1-1 and he scored again at 13:31 for a 2-1 lead the Blueshirts would not relinquish.
The 3-1 win sends the Rangers into the Eastern Conference semifinals against the winner of the Senators-Bruins series. Zuccarello got the game’s first star.
“Mats this year has made that transition from another guy to one of the top leaders on the team, and he showed that tonight,’’ forward Rick Nash said. “It’s fun to watch guys make that transition.
“It’s weird for me to say it because I feel like his first year was last year. But he’s one of our top guys. He’s one of the faces of the franchise.’’
Both of Zuccarello’s goals came from the right circle. He beat Price to the short side on the power-play goal after getting a beautiful diagonal pass from Mika Zibanejad.
On the even strength goal, Kevin Hayes must have been taking notes. His cross-ice pass found Zuccarello wide open. He needed a second to get the puck to sit down. Then he beat Price, who couldn’t get across in time.
Sometimes all it takes is time, time to heal. Time, after arguably the best night of his career, to be able to look back on the worst night, and joke.
“I miss some words now and then to kind of remind me about it, but I don’t really think about it that much,’’ Zuccarello said. “S–t happens. Sorry about the language.’’
If any Ranger has earned the right to say what he wants, it’s Zuccarello.