As a huge factor in the game-winning-goal in Game Six, New York Rangers’ Tanner Glass has shed his scapegoat image.
By Jessica Joy Curtin
Out of all the New York Rangers, Tanner Glass has taken the most flack in the 2014-15′ regular season.
Now, after 18 games in the playoffs, awaiting Game Seven of the Eastern Conference Final, Glass surprisingly hasn’t been the usual scapegoat. His performance on the fourth line couldn’t honestly be described as astounding, but it truly hasn’t been half bad either.
In Game Six up against the Tampa Bay Lightning, the 33-year-old recorded an assist for his first point of the postseason. Dominic Moore ripped a shot high in the slot, Glass skated across for the rebound to keep it in the crease and then James Sheppard lifted the puck over Ben Bishop‘s left pad for the game-winning-goal.
That’s right, Glass has a primary assist to a game-winner in these Stanley Cup Playoffs. You’ve got to give him some credit for playing the puck well there.
The 6’1″, 210 pound forward has also tallied 65 hits for the second-most physical Ranger besides Chris Kreider in these playoffs. In the series facing the Washington Capitals, physical play was a huge factor. There’s no doubting Glass played into that and helped his team ultimately come out on top to complete a 3-1 series comeback.
In each of the 18 games of the playoffs thus far, Glass has served as an important piece of the puzzle to the Ranger’s overall success. He’s been a physical force, has made smart plays and has given the haters a reason to shift their focus elsewhere.
Glass recorded one goal and six points along with an abominable -12 plus/minus during the regular season, justifying the criticism he’s received for his play with the puck then. But with that now improved, Glass has become a better overall hockey player and has stepped up when it matters most: in the Rangers’ race to the Stanley Cup.
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