Colin Stephenson: Rangers' Jonathan Quick gives vintage performance, Gabe Perreault scores hat trick
Rangers backup goaltender Jonathan Quick and winger Gabe Perreault. Credit: Brad Penner
It would have been better, of course, if Jonathan Quick had gotten the shutout, but the Red Wings’ David Perron spoiled that when he scored with 32.1 seconds left.
“I was disappointed for him that he didn’t get the shutout,’’ coach Mike Sullivan said after the Rangers’ 4-1 victory over Detroit on Saturday afternoon at Madison Square Garden. “I know the guys were fighting hard for him. We were talking about it on the bench.’’
It was a little revenge, of sorts, for Perron, who was absolutely robbed by Quick on a first-period one-timer from the slot that could have put the Red Wings on the board first and might have sent this game in a completely different direction.
After that stop, the Rangers got a goal from rookie Jaroslav Chmelar and three from fellow rookie Gabe Perreault to deal the desperate Red Wings a damaging loss in their bid to make the playoffs.
The victory was the 410th of Quick’s career, which is a nice round number if it ends up being his last. That’s certainly a possibility, given the fact that he is 40 years old, has three Stanley Cup rings, is the winningest American-born goaltender in NHL history and is on an expiring contract.
The Rangers may have acknowledged as much when Quick (31 saves) was named the game’s first star even though Perreault had the first hat trick of his NHL career. But when asked after the game about his hockey future, the typically stoic Quick wasn’t about to make any kind of announcement.
“We’ve got six games left, five games left, something like that?’’ he said. “So for sure I just want to enjoy the ride here the rest of the way, these last five, six games, and figure that out when it’s time.’’
As the remaining games dwindle down, J.T. Miller said he is trying to savor these days with Quick, a popular leader in the locker room.
“Yeah, of course,’’ he said. “I mean, that’s none of my business, but . . . a veteran like that, and one of the best goalies to ever play, especially by American-born . . . when he’s playing that well for us, you feel like you just are desperate to try to get him a win, especially coming down [to the end of the season] and we don’t know if he’s going to play.’’
But if Quick is on his way out, Perreault, who is half his age, definitely is on his way in. The 20-year-old’s first three-goal game in the NHL was a natural hat trick — three consecutive goals — with one coming at even strength at 15:59 of the first period, one on a power play at 7:13 of the third and the last one into an empty net with 1:44 remaining.
“My teammates made some nice plays, so I had a couple easy ones tonight,’’ Perreault said. “But it definitely feels good to get the hat trick. But most importantly, get the win.’’
Miller said he was determined to help Perreault get the hat trick when Sullivan put the rookie on the ice after the Red Wings pulled goalie John Gibson for the extra skater with more than six minutes remaining.
In fact, before eventually setting up Perreault for the empty-netter, Miller turned the puck over while trying to play it back to Perreault as he was exiting the Rangers’ zone. He was fortunate the Red Wings didn’t take advantage.
“Aw, geez, [I was] willing to turn a puck over to get the kid a chance at it,’’ Miller said with a sheepish grin. “I think that might be a turnover [Sullivan] will let me have, but yeah, I mean, we’re trying, right?
“When you’re up three [goals], that’s kind of like where you get a little bit of a leash to look to get [Perreault] one. You know, I remember being young and having those opportunities . . . I’m so happy for him. He played great today.’’
The Rangers announced in January that they are in a “retool,’’ and so it’s likely that even with the leadership, wisdom and production they’ve gotten from Quick the last three seasons, they’re probably going to move on from him.
But Perreault, who broke an 11-game goal drought with his outburst Saturday and has 10 goals and 25 points in 44 games, will be back. The Rangers will be counting on him to continue the growth he’s shown this season and to ultimately develop into a star.
“He’s becoming a great player in front of us, so it’s exciting,’’ Miller said. “He’s 20 years old. He’s only gonna get better and stronger and faster, and what he’s been able to do for us so far has been really impressive . . . He’s been a big part of our little bit of success we’ve had here at the end, and we’re just excited to see how much better he gets.’’
Colin Stephenson covers the Rangers for Newsday. He has spent more than two decades covering the NHL and just about every sports team in the New York metropolitan area.
