Sam Carrick became unsung hero Rangers needed against Devils-quang

For as well as the Rangers played for the majority of Thursday’s win over the Devils at Madison Square Garden, they still were in danger of a second consecutive overtime loss, having just blown a game in Dallas. 

And if you were looking for potential heroes in the extra session for the Rangers, Sam Carrick probably wouldn’t have been high on the list. 

But the 32-year-old came through with a one-timer off a pass from Reilly Smith — after Carrick helped create a turnover to start the winning breakaway. 

It was just Carrick’s third goal of the season but also his second in his past four games. 

“Everyone was fired up for him since he came through,” Artemi Panarin said. “He’s a hard worker, an honest player. Especially when we can get goals, too, it’s important.” 

New York Rangers center Sam Carrick (39) celebrates his game-winning overtime goal against the New Jersey Devils with right wing Reilly Smith (91) at Madison Square Garden.

Carrick signed with the Rangers last offseason to help make up for the loss of Barclay Goodrow, who was waived in June to open up cap space. 

Carrick logged a heavier-than-usual 15:01 on the ice against the Devils in part due to the absence of Filip Chytil, who was out with an upper-body injury. 

Head coach Peter Laviolette added that it was the loss of Chytil that also helped lead to his using Carrick in the extra session. 

He was part of Edmonton’s run to the Stanley Cup Finals last year after arriving in a midseason trade from Anaheim. 

Sam Carrick is named first star of the game after scoring the game winning goal in overtime for a 3-2 win against the New Jersey Devils at Madison Square Garden on January 9, 2024 in New York City.

Chytil is believed to be traveling with the team to Las Vegas, and there’s a chance he could return for Saturday’s game.

The Rangers also recalled another center, Bo Groulx, from AHL Hartford and assigned LW Brett Berard to Hartford to open up a spot. 

Chytil was injured in Tuesday’s loss against Dallas but skated prior to Thursday’s win, which Laviolette was encouraged by. 

Don’t look now, but Mika Zibanejad may be returning to form.

After being held scoreless in eight straight games, Zibanejad has registered points in five straight games thanks to his assist Thursday.

He’s got two goals and three assists during the streak, which not surprisingly coincides with the Rangers’ recent 3-1-1 mark. 

The Rangers lost all but one during his eight-game scoreless drought. 

Zibanejad also spent 20:58 on the ice in the overtime win, his biggest workload since Dec. 2