Rangers’ Coach Peter Laviolette Praises Will Cuylle for Crucial Goal

By Peter Botte

Will Cuylle hadn’t scored in 10 games, but Peter Laviolette never saw the rookie winger’s effort level waver.

Cuylle’s first goal since Nov. 7 was a huge one, snapping a 3-3 tie in the second period to give the Rangers a lead they wouldn’t relinquish in what turned out to be a 6-5 victory over the Sharks at the Garden.

“Young player, and he gives everything he’s got every night,” Rangers coach Peter Laviolette said about Cuylle after the game. “He’s physical, and I think he’s off to a good start. He’s learning, but he’s off to a good start, and tonight he had a big moment.

“I think his effort has been consistent. I think this is a young kid who carries himself and plays hard, he’s fast, he’s physical, he hits, he goes to the front of the net and is a really coachable kid. So it was nice to see him score a big goal like that.”

The 21-year-old Cuylle received a pass from Nick Bonino and split the San Jose defense at the blue line and potted his fourth of the season for a 4-3 game with 3:57 remaining in the second.

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Veteran backup Jonathan Quick allowed five goals on 28 shots but remained unbeaten in regulation in his first season with the Blueshirts. He improved to 7-0-1 over nine appearances despite his goals against average rising from 1.99 to 2.34.

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Vincent Trocheck’s statistical contribution this season goes well beyond his excellent offensive numbers.

The veteran center leads the NHL in faceoff percentage at 64.1 percent after winning 15 of 24 against the Sharks.

“I think faceoffs are possession and the fact that our centermen have done a pretty good job in the circle, it’s a point that we’ve emphasized right from the start of the year. And it gets attention every day,” Laviolette said. “I think our guys have done a good job with that, and Troche, I think, is somebody who was always above average in the faceoff circle to begin with. {he] certainly having a good year there.”

Trocheck, who has been centering the Rangers’ second line with Filip Chytil out of the lineup since Nov. 2 with a suspected concussion, also ranks third on the team in scoring with six goals and 16 assists after recording five points in two wins this weekend against the Predators and the Sharks.

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The Rangers recalled winger Anton Blidh from AHL Hartford as lineup insurance because Laviolette said his team was “a little bumped-up” after Saturday’s game in Nashville. The 28-year-old Blidh skated in pregame warm-ups, but the same 12 forwards dressed against the Sharks.