Gabe Perreault grabbed the baton.
One of the Rangers’ most promising young players became the latest rookie to add optimism to the final leg of this lost season, recording his first career hat trick in Saturday’s 4-1 win over the Red Wings at Madison Square Garden and helping the team claim its fourth win in the past five games.
In the antepenultimate home game of a season that will end with one of the Rangers’ worst home records in the franchise’s 100-year history, the 20-year-old former first-round pick gave the packed crowd a rare memory worth carrying into next season.
Perreault became the fourth Rangers rookie in the past 30 years to record a hat trick, and one of five rookies in the league to do so this season.
His three multi-goal games this season are tied for second most among NHL rookies despite appearing in only 45 games.
“The trust that he’s earning from his coaches and his teammates, he’s becoming a great player right in front of us,” captain J.T. Miller said. “It’s exciting to think he’s 20 years old. He’s only gonna get stronger and better and faster, and what he’s been able to do for us is really impressive. He’s just got a really good nose for the game and he’s super smart and has that skill when he gets a chance to make some plays.”
The game — which featured 31 saves from Jonathan Quick — started in surreal fashion for Perreault, lining up against Patrick Kane.
“He was my favorite player growing up,” Perreault said. “I looked up to him. On that first draw, I’m like, ‘Holy sh–t, I’m next to Patrick Kane.’ ”
Fellow Rangers rookie Jaroslav Chmelar opened the scoring by redirecting a blast from Vladislav Gavrikov with 6:41 left in the first period.
It was Chmelar’s fourth goal of the season and second in the past three games.
Fellow rookie Adam Sykora was credited with his first assist in his sixth career game.
Since March 2, Rangers rookies have recorded 17 goals and a total of 38 points.
Both marks lead the league in that span.
“We’re just trying to enjoy it and take this opportunity and run with it,” Perreault said of the team’s rookie class. “We’re trying to bring energy and have fun and enjoy every day together.”
Perreault, who had two points in the previous seven games, broke an 11-game goal drought (March 12) with 4:01 left in the second period, sending a shot over John Gibson’s glove, following a pass through traffic from Mika Zibanejad.
Perreault’s second goal was set up by a pretty feed from Jonny Brodzinski, which gave the Rangers (32-36-9) a 3-0 lead with 12:41 left in the third period.
“I think the game is slowing down in his mind and his hockey IQ is probably his greatest attribute,” head coach Mike Sullivan said. “He might not have the open-ice foot speed but he’s pretty elusive in traffic. With his vision and his brain and his stick skills, he’s finding ways to have success.”
As the clock sprinted down in the third period, Miller was able to get one more chance for Perreault, who scored his 10th goal of the season on an empty net with 1:44 to play.
First came the hats, falling to the ice.
Then came the hugs, enveloping the 5-foot-11 wing who found fans wherever he looked.
“You can see the reaction on the bench, everyone was rooting for him,” Sullivan said. “He’s an easy guy to root for.”