New York Rangers: Daniel Carcillo's Brief, Significant Stint
Daniel Carcillo returned to the news recently, speaking out against the NHL’s work regarding concussions. With Carcillo back in the spotlight, now is as good of a time as ever to look back at his memorable stint with the Rangers.
The New York Rangers chose to bring Tanner Glass in as the team’s new enforcer following the 2013-14 campaign. With the move, New York dealt Derek Dorsett to the Vancouver Canucks, and allowed Daniel Carcillo to leave in free agency.
Carcillo has been in the news recently, as he has spoken out about the NHL’s treatment of concussions.
@stevedownie23 my thoughts on why players keep falling through the cracks and seek help through @Ch5foundation #concussion #nhl #nhlpa pic.twitter.com/cH7bqz4MAe
— Daniel Carcillo (@CarBombBoom13) December 26, 2016
Carcillo’s comments were on point, and the enforcer has put together a positive reputation following the end of his playing career. Carcillo was primarily known as an enforcer in his career, but for 39 regular season and playoff games, he was a valuable fourth liner for a thriving New York Rangers team.
Interestingly enough, Carcillo managed merely five goals and zero assists in his time with the Rangers. Acquired mid-season by the Rangers, the bruising forward was expected to be a big body, not an offensive weapon. The five points confirmed that inkling, but also provided the Rangers with plenty more than expected.
The first goal tallied by Carcillo in a Rangers uniform was on January 12, 2014. Carcillo, playing against his former employer Philadelphia Flyers, opened the scoring for New York. It was his third game with the team, yet he contributed quickly.
After a seven game scoreless stretch, Carcillo found the scoreboard once again. In the Rangers’ second consecutive outdoor game, Carcillo found the back of the net in the third period. Carcillo’s goal gave the Rangers a 2-1 lead, the eventual final score of the game.
One day a trivia question will ask who scored the Stadium Series winner for the Rangers, and Daniel Carcillo will be the answer.
However, the fourth liner’s work was not done there. After scoring a final regular season marker against the Vancouver Canucks, another game opener, Carcillo moved onto the playoffs with the Rangers.
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Carcillo’s playoff stint managed to out-surprise his regular season contributions. Though he was held scoreless after the first round, his role in the Rangers’ first round victory over the Flyers was sizable.
First, Carcillo scored a put-away goal in Game 3, earning the wrath of the Flyers faithful with a spirited celebration.
The goal only furthered the animosity between the two teams, while also handing the Rangers a larger lead in the individual contest. The Rangers would have been content if that was Carcillo’s only offensive contribution in the series, yet the enforcer had more to offer.
Following a back and forth series, the Rangers met the Flyers for Game 7 at Madison Square Garden. Playing a limited fourth line role, Carcillo found himself on the ice at the right time with the right teammate.
Mats Zuccarello’s wizardly dish to a streaking Carcillo gave the Rangers their first of two goals in Game 7, a 2-1 New York victory.
Carcillo’s goal was entirely unexpected and greatly significant, the perfect microcosm for his career with the New York Rangers.
