The Tampa Bay Lightning are in town, which will be another potentially ugly game for our Rangers. However the story is going to be in the minutes before puck drop, as the Blueshirts will honor defenseman Dan Girardi. Girardi retired before the season began, spending 11 seasons with the Rangers and two with the Lightning following his buyout.
Girardi’s later years on Broadway were definitely a mixed bag of desire, toughness, and an unfortunate blend of bad coaching and usage compounding a declining game. Girardi’s path to and tenure in the NHL is the true story and something everyone should remember.