Rangers debutant Lias Andersson gave attendees inside Madison Square Garden a moment to remember in Monday’s home defeat to the Metropolitan Division-leading Washington Capitals. Though the Rangers fell 4-2, Andersson marked his NHL debut with his first career goal.
Andersson scored on a behind-the-net feed from Jimmy Vesey at 13:16 of the second period. Vesey slid the puck to Andersson, who was camped out in front of the crease, and the young Swede beat goaltender Philipp Grubauer glove-side.
“It feels good, obviously,” Andersson said. “It’s always fun to score, and especially in your first NHL game. It took a few shifts honestly to get used to the rink and to the pace and to the league. We played one of the best teams in the world today, so it was tough in the beginning. But I think I played good in the second and third and through the game, so it felt good.”
The 6-foot center finished his debut with two shots on goal and three hits, in addition to his first career goal. He also won both of his faceoffs and skated for a total of 10:44. Vesey and Ryan Spooner served as his linemates.
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Expectations are high for Andersson after the Rangers selected him with the seventh overall pick in the 2017 draft. The 19-year-old center has earned praise from scouts for his tremendous work ethic, intelligent two-way play, scoring touch, natural leadership and ability to line up at all three forward positions.
“That’s one thing that I’ve known since the first time I’ve seen him,” coach Alain Vigneault said of Andersson’s work ethic. “He’s a hardworking, competitive kid. He brings his best every shift, and he’s got some good upside.”
Andersson comes from a distinguished hockey family. His father, Niklas, skated in 164 NHL games for five different clubs, while his uncle, Mikael, appeared in 786 combined regular-season and playoff games for five clubs. His grandfather Ronny played goaltender for seven professional seasons in Sweden.
Following Monday's game, Andersson reflected on the experience of accomplishing his dream of reaching the NHL and scoring his first-ever goal in the same contest.
“I’ve been watching a couple games in the Garden, so I know this atmosphere is going to be good,” he said. “I played a couple preseason games, so I know a lot of guys in here. They’re taking very good care of me and stuff, so it was easy to play out there.”
Andersson and fellow rookie center Filip Chytil became the first pair of Rangers teenagers to play in the same game since Dave Maloney and Ron Greschner in 1974. Chytil and Andersson also became the first pair of Rangers teenagers to both record a point in the same game since Maloney and Greschner on Dec. 18, 1974.
Chytil tallied his first career NHL point when he assisted Mats Zuccarello’s third-period goal. Chytil finished the night with an assist and six shots on goal in his third career NHL game. He is the first 18-year-old to record an assist/point with the Rangers since Manny Malhotra on April 5, 1999, at Philadelphia.
Chytil centered on a line with Zuccarello and Kevin Hayes as his wings. Following the game, he credited his linemates for making him feel comfortable.
“Zucc and Hayes helped me so much, so I thank them because it was a tough game,” Chytil said. “The first period was tough. They scored a goal on my first shift. But every shift, I felt more comfortable, and it was a good game.”
The Rangers have placed their hopes on Andersson and Chytil leading the next wave of the youth movement.
“There’s no doubt that any time you bring youth that has skill and character, you’re headed in the right direction,” Vigneault said. “Both of the young players we saw tonight have skill. Everybody talks about Lias’ character, who was captain of Sweden’s junior team this year. There’s definitely a lot of upside with both of those young men.”
On Monday, fans got a taste of what the duo can offer, and it’s clear that the pair of highly touted rookie centers possesses the skill and upside to entertain Garden-goers for years to come.