It is almost three years since the day Mats Zuccarello’s hockey career almost ended. Three years since he took a snapshot to the head that left him unable to speak for four days.
It was Game 5 against the Penguins, April 24, 2014, when Zuccarello took a Ryan McDonagh snapshot in the helmet with 3:58 left in the first period.
While his teammates celebrated Carl Hagelin’s game-winning overtime goal, Zuccarello was on his way to the hospital.
There are comebacks. And there are comebacks.
When he was asked after scoring the tying and winning goal in last night’s 3-1 win over the Canadiens in Game 6, giving the Rangers a 4-2 series victory, it’s understandable that Zuccarello had to search for the right words.