COLUMBUS, Ohio — For Brendan Smith, the Rangers defenseman who had been a healthy scratch for eight of the first 19 games, there was undoubtedly some pressure.
“I need a simple, high-percentage (game) with the puck, and we need him to bring that physical element that he can bring to the table,” said coach Alain Vigneault.
Smith, 28, played his first game Friday after sitting for six straight. He was inserted into the lineup for Steven Kampfer and paired with Marc Staal, and said was looking forward to knocking off the rust.
After a hectic summer than included getting married, getting offers from other teams and then signing a four-year, $17.