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Hartnett: Rangers' Nash Takes Big Step Toward Returning To Form

By Sean Hartnett
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With each passing game, Rangers winger Rick Nash is looking more and more like the player who scored 42 goals and played a dominant 200-foot game last season.

Nash was a constant threat throughout Monday's 4-2 home victory over the Atlantic Division-leading Florida Panthers, getting into high-scoring areas and driving hard to the blue paint. His one-timer a little more than halfway through the third period was crucial in curtailing the Panthers' comeback.

"I thought tonight he took pucks to the net," Rangers head coach Alain Vigneault said. "That was a big-time goal at the right moment. There's no doubt in my mind his play is on the right track. It's just a matter of him getting healthy and getting some practice time."

It was Nash's first goal since Dec. 30 and his first point in six games since returning from a deep left leg bone bruise that caused him to miss 20 games. Since his March 12 return, Nash has been buzzing around the ice and playing efficiently in all three zones. He has played with energy and physicality throughout his first six games back, but Monday was the first time his timing looked up to par.

"I'm just trying to do something to help the team, try to fit in and get better each game," Nash said. "I think I've been pretty lucky with how the team has handled it. They've been pretty patient, and I'm lucky to have their support. I put tons of pressure on myself to perform. When things don't go the way you want, it's frustrating. Eight weeks off is a long time to be off the ice."

The 31-year-old winger places a tremendous responsibility on himself to deliver. He said he is driven to meet the highest personal standards and to perform a key role for a Rangers, who moved back into second place all alone in the Metropolitan Division, two points ahead of the idle Pittsburgh Penguins.

"The way I kinda see it -- it's one game," Nash said. "I've got to be consistent. I've got to put a string of these games together. It was nice to have a good night. More importantly, the team won. Those are two huge points for us."

Alternate captain Dan Girardi is impressed by Nash's dedication and saw all the right signs from him during Monday's performance. Nash finished the night with three shots on goal, two takeaways and one hit.

"He prepares very well for games," Girardi said. "He tries to be the hardest worker in practice. He's always working on his game and trying to get better. We all try to follow his lead out there. He's a great leader for us even though he doesn't wear a letter (captain's badge). We've got so many guys who can lead us here, we've all got to pull together in the right direction.

"It's tough when you miss a ton of games like that -- trying to find your rhythm, Girardi added. "He was clicking tonight, getting himself in those hard areas, putting guys on his back and taking pucks to the net. It's what he's been doing for 900 games or so. I think he's finding his game right now after being away for awhile."

Derek Stepan agreed with Girardi's assessment, adding Nash is making the right progressions forward.

"He was a beast," Stepan said. "He got the Broadway Hat today. He scored a goal, but he had some pretty good moves and good looks. I think if you ask him, I think he's finding his way with his game. I think he's gotten better each night and tonight was one of his best."

Nash appears to be well on his way toward finding his best game. If he can continue to raise his performance, he can be a tremendous difference-maker over the Rangers' final nine regular season games and then, perhaps, he'll finally deliver that long-awaited playoff magic.

Follow Sean on Twitter at @HartnettHockey

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