Julien Gauthier of the Rangers skates during the first period against the Sharks at Madison Square Garden on Feb. 22. Credit: Jim McIsaac
DALLAS – Julien Gauthier is having the time of his life.
The 22-year-old forward, acquired in a Feb. 18 trade with the Carolina Hurricanes, is beginning to make an impact for the Rangers in their desperate bid to make the playoffs. It’s all the former first-round pick has ever wanted, and he’s appreciative the Rangers are giving him the chance.
“That’s the dream of every hockey player,’’ Gauthier said at Tuesday’s optional morning skate, before the Rangers took on the Dallas Stars in the first game of their critical three-game road trip.