Nash giving Bruins momentum heading into Game 2 against Lightning

TAMPA -- Rick Nash scored his power-play goal for the Boston Bruins on Saturday standing behind Ryan McDonagh and next to Anton Stralman. Ryan Callahan was in the penalty box. Dan Girardi and J.T. Miller were watching from the Tampa Bay Lightning's bench.

Seven former New York Rangers, the six mentioned above plus Bruins defenseman Nick Holden, a healthy scratch in Boston's 6-2 win in Game 1, are playing in the Eastern Conference Second Round.
Game 2 is Monday at Amalie Arena (7 p.m. ET; NBCSN, CBC, TVAS).
RELATED: [Complete Lightning vs. Bruins series coverage]
"It is definitely a little bit different," Girardi said. "It's weird how things work out."
McDonagh and Miller were traded to Tampa Bay together Feb. 26 as part of the Rangers purge before the 2018 NHL Trade Deadline. Girardi signed a two-year contract with the Lightning last summer after the Rangers bought out his contract. Stralman signed with the Lightning on July 1, 2014, and Callahan was traded to Tampa Bay on March 5, 2014.
The Bruins' ex-New York duo, Nash and Holden, were traded to Boston five days apart; Holden on Feb. 20 and Nash on Feb. 25.
"It's always weird going against that former team or against guys you played a lot of years with," Nash said. "We had some good years with our former team. At the end of the day, though, once you get on the ice it's just the front of the sweater that matters, not the back."
They played with the same logo on the front for a long time. The seven played in a combined 2,787 games with the Rangers, scoring 1,230 points (467 goals, 763 assists). In addition, they played in 456 Stanley Cup Playoff games, scoring 167 points (50 goals, 117 assists).
Girardi is first on the Rangers' all-time list for playoff games played (122). McDonagh is fourth (96). Girardi is also ninth on the Rangers' all-time list for regular-season games played (788). McDonagh is 30th (516).

They all rave about their time with the Rangers, though none of them miss New York now.
"If you ask any one of us that got traded this year, you'd rather get traded to a contender," McDonagh said. "It's the best time of the year to play, and for everything that we were going through in New York, to be where I'm at now, I think all of us would say it's definitely worth it to be playing this kind of hockey and to be in this situation."
Nash got the upper hand in Game 1, scoring two goals; McDonagh and Stralman were on the ice for each one. He scored by doing exactly what he said he needs to do, specifically against McDonagh.
"The only real way to beat him is to try to get body position on him," Nash said of McDonagh.
Nash did just that on Boston's only power play, giving himself enough space to get a piece of right wing David Pastrnak's shot to give the Bruins a 1-0 lead at 17:11 of the first period.
In fairness, McDonagh gave up some of his position on Nash's power-play goal in an attempt to block Pastrnak's shot. It didn't work.
"He's obviously great at using his body," McDonagh said. "For me, it's just making sure you don't get on the wrong side of him and don't even try to give him that opportunity to get his feet going. You have to keep him up against the glass."
Girardi got one back for the Lightning's ex-Rangers by scoring at 2:31 of the second period, but Nash victimized McDonagh and Stralman again at 12:33.
He got the puck at the attacking blue line on a drop pass from center David Krejci, got his feet moving and used his speed to push them both back before scoring on a high, far-side wrist shot from the right circle to give Boston a 3-1 lead.
"Certainly, you have to know that he's got speed up the ice and he's looking to bring pucks to the net," McDonagh said of Nash.

Miller had his chances in Game 1 (three shots on goal) and set up scoring chances for linemates Nikita Kucherov and Steven Stamkos. He didn't connect, but Nash, understanding the impact Miller can have from years of playing with him, is admittedly wary that it's a matter of time if he keeps getting them.
"J.T. has all the tools in the bag," Nash said. "He's got a great shot. He can skate. He can hit. He can play power play, PK. The way you beat him is you've got to try to outwork him."
The irony in hearing that is knowing they spent years together in New York working to outwork the opposition.
Now it's five against two.
"Yeah, a little bit strange," Miller said. "It's all business now."