John E. Sokolowski – USA TODAY Sports
This has been a great week for New York Rangers center Brad Richards. In fact, Richards is finally on the upswing from being in a rut earlier this season and it is just in time for the playoffs if they ultimately secure a spot.
On Friday, Richards recorded his first career hat trick against the Buffalo Sabres. It may not seem all that surprising until you consider that this is his 12th season in the NHL. Richards has been just one goal shy of a hat trick in 22 games of his career, but finally scored the elusive three-goal game in the Rangers 8-4 win over the Sabres.
Then to top it off, today, the NHL announced that they named him the league’s number two star of the week. In addition to his first career hat trick, Richards scored the game-winning goal in the Buffalo game as well. And just as Rangers head coach, John Tortorella, told reporters after the game, Richards’ big night was a big boost for the rest of the team especially heading into the playoffs. He has had two or more points in the last three games tallying six points (3G, 3A).
Richards will be one of the Rangers bigger keys to making it into the playoffs and he is coming up big at just the right time for them.
Stephanie Lewark is an NHL and Pittsburgh Penguins Senior Writer for www.RantSports.com. Follow her on Twitter (@steelcitysports), check out her Facebook page, or add her to your Google+ circle.
