Rick Nash was supposed to be the final piece to the Rangers’ Stanley Cup puzzle, the dominant force on the offensive end to match Henrik Lundqvist’s brilliance in net.
Instead, he was just another Rangers forward who failed to produce in the postseason — when coach John Tortorella has said legacies are created. Instead of making a difference, Nash managed one goal in 12 playoff games and added four assists. He was neither the physical presence his 6-foot-4, 215-pound frame would suggest, nor the menacing playmaker his skill set allows.
Nash, however, seemed content with his first year on Broadway, talking up the organization, his teammates and the overall experience yesterday as the Rangers met for the last time for exit interviews, rather than discuss what personally went wrong.
When asked specifically to rate his performance, he said bluntly, “It was good.”
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Tortorella declined to offer his take on Nash’s first season with the Rangers. Nash, of course, wasn’t the biggest problem with the Blueshirts in the playoffs. There was the continued absence of standout defenseman Marc Staal (right eye); the ineffectiveness and then benching of high-priced center Brad Richards; and the lack of production of the power play.
Nash, however, was supposed to fix such shortcomings with his world class scoring ability. Then again, this was a new experience for the power forward, playing on the big stage in New York, in the playoffs for just the second time in his mostly brilliant 10-year career.
“It’s tough,” he said. “I think I learned you’ve got to be consistent. You’ve got to play your best. The stakes are that much higher and emotions are that much higher.
“I got a better taste of it this year, and it just makes me want to go further, deeper in the playoffs. I had so much fun with it. There’s so much excitement when the games meant that much. I can’t wait try to go again.”
Nash carried the Rangers at points during the regular season, particularly during an important five-game win streak when he piled up 11 points. He finished the regular season with 21 goals and 21 assists and performed well for the most part.
“I had one of the most fun seasons of my career by far,” he said. “I love being a Ranger, I love playing for this organization, for the city, for these fans.”
Yet in the postseason he fell short of the lofty expectations his acquisition from the Blue Jackets brought. He wasn’t the same player as he was in the regular season, unable to stay on the puck quite as much or bury his chances.
One goal in 12 playoff games. Five points. In the season-ending loss to the Bruins, he managed just two shots on goal and a series-low 17:46 of ice time.
Maybe Nash has a different definition of good than anyone else.