Finally, some good news came the Rangers’ way. Finally, during this dreadful 1-5-0 start — the worst of the Alain Vigneault era — there was a sliver of a reason for optimism.
Reliable forward Jesper Fast returned Saturday night, and the Rangers sure could use more reliable players after falling to the Devils, 3-2, at the Garden.
Over 15:14 of ice time spanning 24 shifts, Fast delivered a game-high seven hits and had a shot on goal. He was part of a penalty kill unit that was solid for the most part, killing off four of five Devils opportunities.
“He looked all right,” Vigneault said. “For no [exhibitions], didn’t have a lot of practice on a regular line, I thought he skated well, competed real hard like he always does.”
Fast, who signed a three-year, $5.5 million deal in the offseason, missing the season’s first five games wasn’t a surprise after he underwent left hip surgery in June. The 25-year-old Swede said this week he was feeling “no pain” and it was more about regaining his stamina and endurance after being out so long. He passed the team’s skating test Wednesday, and has been practicing for a few weeks now.
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Fast enjoyed his best offensive season in 2015-16, producing 10 goals and 30 points. He followed that up last year with six goals and 21 points in 68 games. But his value is about his dependability, how steady he is playing the puck, and his value on the penalty kill. There’s a reason he has won two consecutive Players’ Player awards, as voted on by his teammates, a nod to his hard work and competitive nature.
Ondrej Pavelec allowed three goals against 19 shots in his first start as a Ranger. He was inactive early, seeing just three shots over the first 20 minutes, and was let down by a few ill-timed, own-zone giveaways.
“I had a hard time getting into the game and getting some shots there,” Pavelec said.
Vigneault had just 11 active forwards Saturday, opting to go with seven defensemen. He doesn’t plan to make that a pattern. It was more because of playing back-to-back games.
“I just felt that tonight that gave us the best chance to win,” he said.
Forwards Adam Cracknell and Paul Carey, and defenseman Steven Kampfer were healthy scratches.