Kevin Hayes has not hit the college rookie wall. Let’s clear that up straight away. To suggest that’s happened to Hayes – after just two subpar performances – would be a combination of lazy journalism and a kneejerk reaction. It’s just two games.
Hayes has struggled in the opening round thus far, not producing offensively and making bad decisions at both ends of the ice but Hayes is a rookie who is learning that the playoffs are a different season compared to the marathon that is the regular season.
Hayes was arguably the Rangers’ best forward over the last six weeks of the regular season and his elevated play helped accommodate Rick Nash’s cold stretch as well as the injuries the Rangers endured.