Fountain of Youth

 

Patrick Hoffman (HV)

 

Over the past month or so, the New York Rangers have been playing some of their best hockey. They are getting timely goal scoring, playing tremendous defense and have gotten world class goaltending from starter Henrik Lundqvist. As a result, the team has found itself back in the thick of the Eastern Conference playoff race and currently (as of March 25) one point behind the sixth place Tampa Bay Lightning.

 

However, one key to the Rangers’ success that cannot be overlooked is the impact that new Ranger youngster Ryan Callahan has had on the team. This week, Callahan, 22, helped the Rangers to four victories over the Boston Bruins (2), Pittsburgh Penguins and Philadelphia Flyers by contributing two goals and an assist in five games since being called up from the Hartford Wolf Pack on March 16th.

 

Last Saturday night in a 7-0 win over the Bruins, Callahan scored his first two NHL goals and even got into a fight as the game got chippy in the third period. Two nights later, he generated an array of scoring chances, made smart defensive plays and again got a significant amount of ice time on the second line in a 2-1 victory over the Penguins.

 

“Fact of the matter is, our young guys played really well, gave our veteran players no worries about whether they can participate,” Rangers head coach Tom Renney said after Monday night’s big victory over one of the top clubs in the Eastern Conference.

On Wednesday night against the Philadelphia Flyers, Callahan got to play alongside Sean Avery and all-star Brendan Shanahan, a line that other hockey pundits have called “The Irish line,” and the “Shamrock line”. That night, Callahan started a great tic-tact-toe goal with a great pass to Shanahan who then fed it to Avery to give the Rangers the commanding 5-0 lead.

“It was unbelievable,” Callahan said about playing with Shanahan. “He’s an all-star and I go to watch him a lot growing up.”

Playing with Shanahan and Avery helped Callahan to learn more about the NHL game and has allowed him to find his role on a line that already includes years of NHL experience.

 

“We played well together,” Callahan said of his lines’ play against the Flyers. “Those guys are great players. I just try to feed off of them, try to go to the net when they shoot the puck.”

 

Sean Avery believes that this is right time of year to infuse youth into the lineup.

 

“They are giving us energy at this time of year,” Avery said. “They’re hungry and they are trying to make a statement out there.”

For Callahan, it is about getting a chance to play and gain experience.

 

“Every game is a challenge but for me, the experience is crucial,” Callahan said. “Playing with these guys is amazing.”