It was an emotional ceremony on a night when the hockey meant nothing.
Amid many tears, on the ice and in the stands, Rangers winger Mats Zuccarello was given the Steven McDonald Extra Effort Award for the second straight year and the third time in the past four years before his team’s regular-season finale, a 3-2 win over the Penguins on Sunday night at the Garden.
The award is voted on by the fans and was named after the beloved former NYPD detective, who died in January. Following a video tribute with powerful testimonials from previous winners, McDonald’s widow Patti Ann and her son Conor — now an NYPD detective himself, clad in dress blues — took part in a deep embrace with Zuccarello. Conor then gave a rousing speech, imploring the Rangers to go “above and beyond” in the playoffs, with Game 1 of the first round set for 7 p.m. Wednesday against the Canadiens in Montreal.
It was a speech reminiscent of his father, who was paralyzed in the line of duty back in 1987 and famously forgave his shooter.
“For me to have it, I’m honored and humbled,” Zuccarello said after the game. “It’s something I’m going to cherish for a long time, for sure.”
Backup goalie Antti Raanta was kept from his final scheduled start of the season Sunday because of a knee bruise, suffered in Friday’s practice. Raanta is considered “day to day,” and coach Alain Vigneault said he “should be fine” for the beginning of the playoffs.
“It’s a bruise, that for a goaltender is in a bad spot,” Vigneault said.
In Raanta’s place, getting his first NHL start in his fourth career game, was 6-foot-5 Swede Magnus Hellberg, who was steady in making 22 saves and collecting his first win.
Captain Ryan McDonagh was named Team MVP by the media, and he rewarded the wise choice by returning to the lineup with a flourish, scoring a beautiful goal, his sixth of the season, on a weaving rush through the middle of the ice in the first period.
McDonagh had missed the previous four games with a minor, undisclosed injury.
“The time off helps,” he said after the game. “I felt really strong in my skates and I felt fast and powerful, so that’s a good sign here to get ready.”
For the second straight season, Jesper Fast was named the Players’ Player, as voted on by his teammates. The award has been handed out since 1958-59, and is given to the player who “best exemplifies what it means to be a team player.”
The regulars to sit out the finale were forwards Chris Kreider and Kevin Hayes, along with defenseman Brendan Smith. None are expected to be in jeopardy for Game 1, but Vigneault did admit it’s not solely for rest.
“There’s nothing serious, but there are some minor bumps,” he said.