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NEW YORK: Rick Nash again gave the New York Rangers exactly what they hoped when they acquired him in the offseason, as he scored two third-period goals to help them to their third straight win.
But the 4-2 victory over the Philadelphia Flyers yesterday at Madison Square Garden included a play no one wanted to see.
In between Nash’s two goals that led the Rangers to their sixth straight win at home over the rival Flyers came a scary play, with Rangers defenceman Marc Staal getting struck in the face by the puck.
So while the Rangers (11-8-2) spoke glowingly of Nash’s recent hot streak and their improved play, the celebration was tempered by concern for Staal.
He exited at 5:45 of the third period after a puck deflected by Philadelphia forward Jakub Voracek struck him in the area of his right eye. Staal covered his face, blood dripping to the ice, for several moments before he was helped off to the trainer’s room.
“It’s tough; you never want to see that,” said Rangers captain Ryan Callahan, who had two goals and an assist. “Especially close to the eye. It’s dangerous and it’s tough to watch.”
Rangers coach John Tortorella said he had no updates on Staal after the game but echoed many players’ comments by saying soberly, “it’s scary.”
The Rangers were already without forward Brad Richards, who crashed headfirst into the boards after a brutal hit by Buffalo’s Patrick Kaleta on Sunday. Richards had returned a few minutes later but was declared out shortly before Tuesday’s game.
Nash led New York past the Flyers (11-12-1) in the third period and over them in the Atlantic Division standings. Voracek remained hot for the Flyers with his seventh goal in his last seven games as well as an assist, giving him 17 points in his past nine games.
But Nash, who watched the Rangers go 0-4 while he was out with an injury for four games, has returned to lead them to three straight victories, scoring four goals and six points in that span. New York, which had struggled on the power play for most of the season, scored twice with a man advantage for the second straight game.
“I just started smiling after he scored the second goal. It just feels so good to have a player like that on the team that can be the difference every night,” said Rangers goalie Henrik Lundqvist, who made 23 saves. agencies
