Girardi making name for himself
Dan Girardi was selected as an NHL All Star for the first time in his career. (undated file photo) Credit: Jim McIsaac
Unlike other rising young defensemen, 26-year-old Dan Girardi hasn't always been a big name.
Coach John Tortorella will be the first to admit as much.
"When I first came here, I was calling him Joe Girardi," said Tortorella, who mistakenly confused him with the Yankees manager. "No lie. A whole meeting."
There have been several points throughout Dan Girardi's career that he has managed to fly beneath the radar or evade recognition.
Before he earned his place alongside rock-solid Marc Staal on the Rangers' back end, Girardi had to break into the league as an undrafted free agent and battle his way into a permanent spot with the team. Even now, he may be the less-heralded half of the Rangers' top defensive pairing, but his contributions outweigh his accolades.
"He's one of the most underrated players in the league," Tortorella said. "I can tell you that right now."
In a stellar Game 3 Sunday, Girardi finished with five hits, 21:59 of ice time and a team-leading five blocked shots.
It's the latter statistic that prompted effusive praise from Tortorella Monday.
The fiery Rangers coach pointed to a key block on a Capitals rush in the second period during Sunday's game as a prime example of his sacrifice. Girardi took Marcus Johansson's shot in the back; he skated to the bench grimacing but did not miss a shift.
"That shot he blocked on that three-on-two, that was a huge play," Tortorella said.
Nothing new, however, for the player who led the NHL with 236 blocked shots in the regular season.
"He's done that all year long. I don't know how he does it sometimes," Staal said. "It's a courageous way of playing the game but he's found success in that."
With Girardi and Staal matched up against Capitals superstar forward Alexander Ovechkin throughout the series, the pair has limited the offensive dynamo to only four points over three games.
"I think Marc sometimes gets a lot of the notoriety but [Girardi is] a good player and he continues to get better," Tortorella said.
Dan Girardi may not be a household name, but he's quickly becoming a player you need to know.
Said Staal: "You get a bigger stage like the playoffs and everyone starts realizing what a talented player he is."
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