In honor of Anthony Bitetto‘s highlight reel goal the other night, the BSB chat (mostly Brandon, Sam, and Tyler) gave me the idea to write about the five biggest surprise goals in Rangers recent history. This is going to be restricted to the post-cap era, so as to limit the number of possible surprise goals. Also, Marek Malik’s goal is an easy one, so let’s leave that one off it.
These are in no particular order.
1. Anthony Bitetto’s highlight reel goal – 2/4/2021
This one speaks for itself. Bitetto was in because of the drama unfolding with Tony DeAngelo, and he was really the 8D at this point. But he still skated around the entire Washington Capitals team before flipping it past Vitek Vanecek.
2. Derek Boogaard’s clapper – 11/9/10
No one expected Derek Boogaard to score. He hadn’t scored for four seasons. This goal represented exactly 1/3 of his NHL goals. Yet he picked up a loose puck in the neutral zone with separation and fired a clapper past Michal Neuvirth.
3. Jarret Stoll’s only Rangers goal – 11/3/15
Jarrett Stoll scored one goal for the Rangers in 29 games before being placed on waivers. Stoll was supposed to bring balance and faceoff prowess to the fourth line. But he never played. Alain Vigneault was not a big fan of basically any of these one-year fliers. It showed. Stoll finished the season with Minnesota.
4. Tanner Glass in the playoffs – 4/12/17
Tanner Glass! Off a faceoff! To start the playoffs! Backhand bar down! No one expected this. Glass played very well in this game and in this series.
5. Mike Rupp – Winter Classic – 1/2/12
No one expected Mike Rupp would be the hero of the 2012 Winter Classic. But with the Rangers down 2-0, he got them on the board. Then the Jagr Salute! Then he tied it!
Bonus! – Dan Carcillo in the playoffs
Who would’ve thought Dan Carcillo would be one of the heroes in the 2014 run? He came up huge in that first round with the Flyers with the two goals. Little known fact: Of all the “fighters” the Rangers signed or traded for, Carcillo was probably the best because he could actually play hockey too. Very under appreciated Ranger.
Those are the five (plus one) most surprising Rangers goals in the recent era. Think I missed any?
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