61, NO ASTERISK: Rick Nash resembled the game-changing superstar the Rangers intended to acquire in a dominant Game 2, scoring his first playoff goal in the losing effort. (NHLI via Getty Images)
61, NO ASTERISK: Rick Nash resembled the game-changing superstar the Rangers intended to acquire in a dominant Game 2, scoring his first playoff goal in the losing effort. (
)
There was a period of time on Sunday afternoon in Boston when it seemed as if Rick Nash was going at a different speed than everyone else, and those moments are exactly why the Rangers brought Nash to Broadway in the first place.
Big No. 61 in white was flying around the ice, over the boards for every other shift early in the second period, scoring his first goal in the opening nine games of the postseason and setting up what could have — should have — been the go-ahead goal just minutes later.
So for all the similarities between this Eastern Conference semifinal with the Bruins and the Rangers’ first-round matchup against the Capitals, the biggest difference is Nash had yet to play a game in this playoff run like the one he played Sunday. When the Bruins come to the Garden tonight to resume the best-of-seven contest in a pivotal Game 3, the Rangers will be facing the same 2-0 hole they faced against the Capitals, a series they won in seven games.
But this time, they have seemingly a different Nash on their side.
“I’m seeing someone that is trying to take over the game,” said Derick Brassard, Nash’s young centerman both here and during their time in Columbus. “He competes hard and battles and just tries to make a difference. The one thing I know is that he was the best player for us [on Sunday].”
There was never more than a two-minute stretch of even-strength time in the second period when Nash wasn’t on the ice. He played on his own line with Brassard and Mats Zuccarello. He played on the third line with Brian Boyle and Taylor Pyatt. He played on the fourth line with Brad Richards and Arron Asham.
Most of that was to get him away from Bruins All-Star defenseman Zdeno Chara, who with his 6-foot-9 frame and long reach can make shutting down the most skilled players in the world look easy.
“I think Nash has played well, not only in the second period but really right on through the playoffs,” coach John Tortorella said. “They want Chara against him, we’re trying to get him away from him at certain times, there’s momentum of games — he’s going to play a lot.”
Nash gave the biggest boost when he scored his game-tying goal just 56 seconds after Gregory Campbell gave the Bruins a 2-1 lead.
“I’d rather trade that goal in for a win, so it doesn’t matter,” said Nash, who two minutes after he scored made an all-world pass to Ryan McDonagh in front of the net for a great look at a go-ahead goal that was denied by goalie Tuukka Rask.
What does matter is for a player like Nash, sometimes one goal can open the floodgates to many. He led the Rangers in the regular season with 21 goals, but was held scoreless by the Capitals. For a Rangers team that does not have a ton of offensive depth and struggles to score with consistency, a rejuvenated Nash could change the dynamic of their team.
To go from a defense-first grinding team to one with the ability to strike at any moment is a tough task for any one person, but if there is anyone on the Rangers capable, it’s Nash.
“He has played very well,” Tortorella said. “Scores a goal, which is going to help. So we’ll go right back at it with him.”
bcyrgalis@nypost.com