Hartnett: As Game 7 Nears, Fired-Up Top Line Is Powering Rangers

By Sean Hartnett
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Top-line trio Rick Nash, Derick Brassard and J.T. Miller have proven critics wrong and are delivering when it matters most for a Rangers team looking to make a repeat trip to the Stanley Cup Final.

Brassard, Miller and Nash all are former first-round draft picks that have each endured their share of criticism. Would Brassard ever develop into an elite, two-way center? Was Nash ever going to transform into a clutch playoff scorer? Will Miller ever live up to his top-six forward potential?

Check, check and check.

The trio has made their detractors eat their words by becoming the Rangers' go-to line that is igniting the charge. They had their way with the Tampa Bay Lightning in Game 6. The line buzzed with unpredictability, picked apart Tampa Bay's top blue liners and thrived in the cycle game.

"Their line was phenomenal all night," alternate captain Derek Stepan said.

Look for the top line to again thrive against the Lightning in Game 7 by executing clever plays in tight areas and generating offense down low.

CLUTCH BRASSARD PLAYING WITH EMOTION, JOINING ELITE COMPANY

During his early years in Columbus, many leading hockey analysts questioned whether Brassard would ever live up to his sixth-overall draft pick potential. Everything changed for Brassard when he joined the Rangers at the 2013 trade deadline.

"I came here to New York and they showed me a lot of confidence right away," Brassard said. "I think it helped me adjust to a new team and come here and have some success."

He's become a true cult hero in the Big Apple. Diehard fans have long appreciated the emotion that Brassard brings every game. His passion is translating into big-game performances. Having scored nine goals these playoffs, Brassard ranks fifth in franchise history in single-season playoff goals. The 27-year-old center only trails Mark Messier (12), Adam Graves (10) and Wayne Gretzky (10).

Yeah, that's some pretty good company.

Brassard leads all NHL players with 18 points (seven goals, 11 assists) in elimination games since 2012. That's more than Los Angeles Kings Stanley Cup-winning heroes Justin Williams and Anze Kopitar.

"Since he's come to New York, he's really turned into a premier center," Nash said.

Head coach Alain Vigneault invited Brassard and Stepan into a meeting and challenged the duo to raise their games ahead of Game 6.

"I felt our coach, in a sense, did challenge us," Stepan said. "But at the same time, this series is so close that there's not much separating the two teams. So he wanted that extra push from me and Brass. And Brass responded in a way that I think A.V. really wanted him to, and our group really needed him to. I think it was a good coaching move by A.V. to kind of come in and at least have a conversation with us and kind of push us to get to that next level."

Brassard responded with a three-goal, five-point, plus-five performance in Game 6. He was a monster, unleashing 10 shots on goal. It was the first time a Ranger had scored a hat trick in an elimination game since Messier delivered on his "we'll win tonight" guarantee in Game 6 of the 1994 Eastern Conference Finals against the rival Devils.

Minus the guarantees, Brassard is delivering the goods. He leads the Rangers with 16 points (nine goals, seven assists) through 18 playoff games. His plus-nine is also a team-high.

"Brass is a guy that, this time of the year, seems to really be a big part of our team," Stepan said. "He always seems to raise his game when the game has more importance to it. It was great to see he played at a really high level, and we're going to need that line to do it again."

NASH THRIVING AS A COMPLETE FORWARD

Nash has often been an easy target for critics. Since he earns an average of $7.8 million per season and wasn't scoring consistently, a lot of analysts have ripped Nash without looking at the entire picture of what he brings on a nightly basis.

NBC studio analysts Mike Milbury and Keith Jones have tag-teamed Nash throughout the playoffs. Milbury called Nash "marshmallow soft," while Jones said Nash was "getting smaller as the playoffs are moving along."

Nash has played an energetic, 200-foot game throughout the playoffs. He's been winning battles, making takeaways on the defensive end and generating transition attacks. He's also performed as an expert penalty killer. His 15 takeaways are third highest during the playoffs. Nash has gotten his fair share of shot attempts, and all he needed was a little bit of luck.

Nash defied his critics in Game 6 by recording a four-point, plus-four performance that included a power-play goal. He was an all-out force, using his big body to outmuscle Victor Hedman and Anton Stralman. The 6-foot-4 winger was hard to move when stationary in front of net and when carrying the puck down ice. There were times when rushing down ice that Nash used his big body to fight off Hedman and Andrej Sustr.

He's hoping to have a memorable Game 7.

"When it comes down to a Game 7, I feel like these are things that you dream about and you pretend you're playing hockey on the ice by yourself or road hockey when you were a kid," Nash said.

Fourteen points (five goals, nine assists) through 18 playoff games is a pretty solid return. Since he's carrying opposing defensemen on his back while making plays, maybe it's time for the critics to get off his back.

MILLER HAS PROVEN HIMSELF UNDER PLAYOFF SPOTLIGHT

After receiving some tough love from Vigneault and bouncing between New York and minor-league Hartford last season, a highly motivated Miller arrived early to informal summer workouts and changed his perception within the organization.

There was a lot to criticize about Miller's game. He was making positional mistakes, defensive lapses and needed to bring a more consistent work ethic. Back in April 2014, Vigneault challenged Miller in a pregame press conference.

"He just hasn't earned the right to be at this level on a regular basis," Vigneault said. "There needs to be more commitment on his part, both on the ice and off. That's part of any young player going through the process of being an NHL player. You've got to figure it out and hopefully he will. When he does, we'll have a good player."

Miller impressed teammates by showing up early, ahead of training camp in terrific shape. He was motivated to prove he could meet every one of Vigneault's requirements.

"I definitely didn't take it personal," Miller said during an informal summer skate. "The only thing you can do is learn from mistakes and try to be a better pro. Obviously, he's been helpful telling me in a constructive way like that."

Miller was able to take advantage of his opportunities this season to lock down a more consistent place in Vigneault's lineup, suiting up in 58 regular-season games. In the playoffs, Vigneault has leaned on Miller. The 22-year-old has played in all 18 playoff games and, crucially, is doing an admirable job filling injured Mats Zuccarello's skates by providing energy and creativity on the right wing alongside Nash and Brassard.

Last year, Miller was the guy who was being pushed by Vigneault. Now, he's the guy pushing and energizing the Rangers' top line.

"I think J.T., his attitude has been outstanding for the past two weeks," Brassard said. "He's been competing really hard. He's energized our line. I remember last game he was trying to push me and Rick to be better and to make a difference. He's a guy with a really good shot, he wins a lot of pucks. He's a really strong guy, and we need him to be really good to be successful."

Miller has come a long way. Look for a fired-up Miller to put in another big showing for the Rangers in Game 7. The Rangers have found their answer to Tampa Bay's "Triplets" in the Nash-Brassard-Miller line.

Follow Sean on Twitter @HartnettHockey.