When the Rangers signed forward Mike Rupp on July 1 last summer the impact lasted less than 24 hours. That’s when New York inked star center Brad Richards to a contract. His skills fit an obvious need for the Rangers. Rupp? He was simply a perfect fit for a team that has labored for three years to build its current identity. That showed again on Monday afternoon when Rupp scored a pair of goals in the NHL’s Winter Classic at Citizens Bank Ballpark in Philadelphia. New York earned a 3-2 victory over the rival Flyers.
“[Rupp] was a really good signing for us in the offseason,” said New York defenseman Dan Girardi. “He missed a bit of time with the knee injury. But when he was playing with us in the beginning he was a big, physical presence for us and can also score. As you could clearly see tonight…Like you said he can handle himself well if he has to fight. He’s a big body out there that creates some problems for the other team.”
Indeed, Rupp has played in just 15 games so far this season after missing time to have his left knee surgically repaired. After scoring just once in his first 14 games, not he has three. After the game the 31-year-old held court for wave after wave of reporters while wearing the dress hat awarded to the New York player with the biggest impact on the game.
“[Rupp is] just fun to be around. Even when he was hurt he was in the room, part of us, part of the team,” said Rangers forward Brian Boyle. “Obviously, he helped win us the game. He was huge for us. He does everything you need him to. He got the goals tonight, but he’ll stand up for anyone.”
Not to say things have gone perfectly for Rupp. His ceiling is limited as a third or fourth-line player. With other teammates going well, Rupp and linemate Brandon Prust have generally played less than 10 minutes per game in recent weeks. And his injury limited Rupp’s ability to quickly adapt to New York’s system. He may be coach John Tortorella’s type of player. But that’s only half the battle.
“I just don’t want them to think that’s their only role. That’s the big reason why we signed him, we know he can play. We know Pruster can play. It’s been a little bit of a struggle,” Tortorella said. “To see them ignite us a little bit – not only me, but the team, I think that’s important. They are glue guys. They are very important to the team in the room, and I think everybody pulls for those type of players, because they know they are being taken care of on the ice with them.”
Several Rangers said Rupp used his past Winter Classic experience with the Pittsburgh Penguins in a dressing room speech before the game. That time he was on the losing end of a 3-1 games as the Caps won at Heinz Field last season. Soon after, Sidney Crosby (concussion) and Evgeni Malkin (knee) went down with injuries and the season fell apart in an eventual first-round Stanley Cup playoff loss to Tampa Bay. Rupp doesn’t want this one win to be the defining moment of New York’s season.
“It’ll be interesting. We’ll address it,” Rupp said. “But we don’t want to get caught up in it because it wasn’t Game 7. It was a fun, cool thing to be a part of, but it was two points and we can’t let our heads get big.”
Follow me on Twitter @bmcnally14
