New York, NY- Before the New York Rangers faced their arch-rivals in the New York Islanders, they honored several former players who wore the Broadway Blueshirt jersey proudly with memorable moments in the playoffs that gave fans amazing memories from big moments from older Rangers fans, to the current fans, and the newer fans of today. Here are those whom the Rangers honored.
Pete Stemkowski: Triple OT Winner
In the 1971 playoffs, the setup of the divisions in the NHL was a bit wonky. Not how it is today. There were fourteen teams (seven teams in each conference), and there were cross-conference matchups. At Madison Square Garden, the Chicago Blackhawks had a three-games-to-two lead.
The game went into triple overtime, as the Garden Faithful were awaiting a winning goal, hoping it would be from the Rangers. Finally, Pete Stemkowski skated in front of the net, got to the rebound, and stuffed it in, sending the crowd into a frenzy and a Game 7 in Chicago. Sadly, the Rangers lost in the Semi-Finals
Greschner scores, J.D., is a brick wall
Before the New York Islanders started their four straight Stanley Cup Championship run, they had to face a plucky and demanding Rangers side that had Phil Esposito on the team. While the Islanders had Mike Bossy, Bryan Trottier, Eric Nystrom, Denis Potvin, and Billy Smith, the Rangers had a secret weapon.
In the second period, the game was tied at one, and the Rangers were on the power play. At the time, Ron Greschner was the offensive defenseman for the Rangers. He received the puck at the top of the Islanders’ zone and smashed the shot to beat Smith for the power play goal.
John Davidson was the starting goaltender after the Rangers put Eddie Giacomin on waivers and was claimed by the Detroit Red Wings. But in the 1979 playoffs, J.D. was playing lights out. After giving up the opening goal in the first period by Mike Bossy on the power play, he dominated the game and said no more.
He played lights out and was a brick wall in net for the Rangers from that point on. After the final buzzer sounded, the Rangers celebrated on home ice, devastating the Islanders, who many predicted would get to the Stanley Cup Final, and had to wait one more season to reach that plateau. The Rangers reached the Final and sadly lost to the Montreal Canadiens.
MATTEAU! MATTEAU! MATTEAU!
The Rangers were the best team in the regular season in the 1993-94 season. They won the President’s Trophy and had home ice advantage throughout the playoffs. They took out the Islanders in a four-game sweep at Nassau Coliseum, defeated the Washington Capitals in five, but faced a difficult New Jersey Devils Team in the Eastern Conference Final.
The series had many magical moments, including that certain prediction by Mark Messier, who said, “WE WILL WIN!” and got the Hat Trick to get toward a game seven. After Brian Leetch scored in the second period, and a last-ditch effort by Valeri Zelepukin inside the final minute of the third period, it went to overtime.
In Double overtime, Esa Tikkanen dumped the puck into the Devils’ zone at the near corner. Stephane Matteau came off the bench to start his shift. He skated hard to the near corner, then went behind the net. As soon as he attempted a wrap-around at the far post, the puck slid through Martan Broduer’s pads, and Madison Square Garden exploded in celebration. We all know what happened in the last round.
Gravy with the Power Play Goal
The New York Rangers had a three games to one lead in the final, taking the two road games at Vancouver. Returned to Madison Square Garden for a celebration, but the Canucks won Game 5 and were back at the former Pacific Coliseum in Game 6. They returned to MSG for a pivotal Game 7.
The Rangers were able to score first with a goal from Brian Leetch. Then the Rangers went on the power play. Sergei Zubov started the rush up the ice along the near side. He made the pass to Alexei Kovalev, then fell. Kovalev made the pass to Adam Graves in the slot, and he snapped it home past Kirk McLean for the two-to-nothing lead in the first period.
If not for that goal to give the Rangers a cushion with two periods remaining, they would’ve gone to overtime again. But we all know what happened.
SAVE BY RICHTER!
In Game 4 of the Stanley Cup Finals in Pacific Coliseum, the Rangers were behind two to one. In the second period, they tried to score the tying goal, but the Rangers lost the puck to the Russian Rocket, Pavel Bure. He was taken down by Brian Leetch from behind on a breakaway and earned a penalty shot.
Mike Richter concentrated hard and kept his composure when he came out of his crease and challenged Bure. Stood still, skating backwards like a cat, then at the last minute, he saw Bure move toward his left, and Richter quickly got his right pad down to make the save and keep the deficit to a goal. Then Zubov scored to tie the game, and Kovalev scored on the power play in the third period to win Game 4.
The King with a magical blocker save
The New York Rangers faced the Montreal Canadiens in the 2014 Eastern Conference Final. They took the first two games in Montreal, split the next two at the Garden, couldn’t finish it off in game 5, so back to MSG they went. A scoreless game until the second period, when Lundqvist made a miraculous save.
As the Rangers tried to stop the Canadiens from getting to the net, Dan Girardi lost the puck to Thomas Vanek at the near side. But both players continued to whack at it, near the net. As the puck popped up in the air and went toward the net, Henrik Lundqvist dropped his paddle and got his blocker in position to whack it away from the net in an amazing moment.
Brian Boyle trailed the play, quickly skated toward the front of the crease, and moved the puck away from danger. That was the moment the Rangers fans knew they were going to win the Prince of Wales Trophy, and toward the back end of the second period, Dominic Moore scored the only goal of the game to advance toward the Stanley Cup Final.
STEPAN IN OVERTIME!
The Rangers were looking to return to the Eastern Conference Final, as the next step to return to the Stanley Cup Final in the 2015 playoffs. The Rangers were behind three games to one against Alexander Ovechkin and the Washington Capitals. Game 7 at Madison Square Garden set it up for a big moment for the Rangers.
After the game was tied in regulation, they headed for overtime. As the Rangers were inside the near faceoff circle in the Capitals zone, they won the faceoff, but lost it to Keith Yandle. He quickly back-passed it to Dan Girardi at the near point and drove the puck on the net. While Braden Holtby made the initial save, he left a juicy rebound that Derek Stepan got to and smashed it home to celebrate a return to the Eastern Conference Final to face the Tampa Bay Lightning.
Returning to the Garden
These men who served the jersey and that shield proudly from the 70’s the 90s, and the 2010s gave Rangers fans amazing memories that none of us will ever forget. Wearing the special Centennial Jersey, and entered from the visitors’ entrance to the ice. Introducing these men was Hockey Hall of Famer and now former MSG Network play-by-play broadcaster Sam Rosen.
It was a special night to see these men again. We occasionally see Lundqvist on MSG Network and on TNT Sports coverage of the NHL. Stemkowski occasionally fills in on Rangers Radio. J.D. is now the Special Advisor and Alternative Governor for the Columbus Blue Jackets and has returned to the broadcast booth on Fan Duel Sports Network Ohio on occasion.
But no matter what, these men will always be linked to the Broadway Blueshirts.
New York Rangers News:
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“Game Day. Done Right.”
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