NEW YORK (AP) - Mats Zuccarello was essentially a shootout specialist when he made his New York Rangers debut five years ago. Now he may be the team's most indispensable offensive player.
Zuccarello scored the tiebreaking goal with 58.3 seconds left and had two assists in the Rangers' ninth straight win, 4-3 over the Toronto Maple Leafs on Sunday night.
"He's on top of his game," coach Alain Vigneault said. "He's been playing real well and his enthusiasm is contagious.
"There's no doubt that he is well liked and well respected by his teammates, and I think everyone is happy that he's playing so well right now.