Linked to the Heights, Oct. 14: Boston College Football 4th in ACC Atlantic?

Oct 3, 2014; New York, NY, USA; New York Rangers right wing

(59) keeps the puck from Chicago Blackhawks defenseman

(4) during the second period at Madison Square Garden. Mandatory Credit: Anthony Gruppuso-USA TODAY Sports

Boston College Hockey

With NY Rangers hurting, Kevin Hayes has opportunity to impress following mixed debut with Blueshirts
New York Daily News (Stephen Lorenzo)

Former Boston College Eagles hockey star Kevin Hayes did not have a great NHL debut on Sunday night. Not everyone can score a goal in their first game like his former teammate, Johnny Gaudreau.

In spite of that, the Rangers still like what the former first-round draft pick brings to the table, and they are going to keep going to him as forwards Mats Zuccarello and Derek Stepan are out.

The piece sums up Hayes’s night:

"It was a mixed debut for Hayes, who looked comfortable moving the puck in certain sequences but struggled in other areas, including the faceoff circle where he went 2-for-10. Hayes, 22, had his best opportunity of the night in the opening period on a one-timer in front set up perfectly by Carl Hagelin … Toronto goaltender James Reimer was up to the task with a pad save. New York Daily News (Stephen Lorenzo)"

Aside from that, Rangers coach Alain Vigneault was able to take some good things away from Hayes’s first game in the National Hockey League, and Hayes himself felt he got better as the contest continued. The goals will come for the rookie, who made a habit of scoring big and scoring often at Boston College, forming part of arguably the best forward line in Eagles history last season.

Look for Kevin Hayes to play again in tonight’s game against the Islanders at Madison Square Garden.