Hartnett: Zuccarello Looked Like His Productive Self In His Preseason Debut

By Sean Hartnett
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Mats Zuccarello didn't miss a beat when he returned to the Rangers' lineup for Thursday night's preseason tilt with the Boston Bruins at TD Garden.

In his first game since suffering a scary brain injury in the first round of last season's playoffs, Zuccarello looked every bit the player whose energetic style of play ignites the Rangers.

There is a clear difference when Zuccarello is in the lineup. His unmistakable brand of intensity is infectious. When teammates see Zuccarello squeezing every drop out of his diminutive 5-foot-7 frame, it forces them to find an extra gear.

"For me, it's the not the points, it's not the goals -- it's the way he works," forward Derick Brassard said last season. "And one thing he brings a lot for the team is passion -- out on the ice, always in practices, games. He likes to be out there and you need guys with passion like that. He shows emotion."

Although the Rangers were defeated 4-3 in overtime on Thursday, their top line of Rick Nash, Brassard and Zuccarello demonstrated a sort of telepathic chemistry throughout the contest. At 16:10 of the first period, Brassard and Zuccarello combined for a power-play goal to give the Rangers a 2-1 advantage. Brassard worked in Wayne Gretzky's office -- behind the net -- and dished to Zuccarello, who beat goaltender Jeremy Smith with a high wrist shot.

Zuccarello got the scoring started for the Rangers earlier in the period by throwing his body at Bruins forward Brad Marchand. Dan Boyle dug out the puck out along the end boards, feeding Zuccarello, who carried the puck down the right wing and sent a nifty backhand pass to Brady Skjei, who had alertly joined the rush. The rookie defenseman went on to tuck the puck past Smith and even the game at 1.

Skjei's mature play is forcing head coach Alain Vigneault into a tough decision. The 21-year-old's growth might be best aided with consistent minutes in the AHL, but he has looked the part in each of his preseason appearances.

Vigneault said after the game that he has another week to decide whether Skjei is ready for the NHL. As mentioned in Tuesday's column, Skjei might just be talented enough to force himself into Vigneault's immediate plans.

Zuccarello finished the night with a goal, an assist, two hits, and one blocked shot in 19:37 total ice time. Despite suffering a brain contusion, a skull fracture and losing the ability to speak for four days due to the injury he suffered in the playoffs, he said his mentality on the ice has not changed.

"I mean same as always; be the best I can be and help the team win games, do what I can do, try to play physical and get into battles, and hopefully create some chances and play solid D," Zuccarello said.

He's still the little engine that drives the Rangers.

Follow Sean on Twitter at @HartnettHockey