Adam McQuaid gets a warm welcome in return to Boston

BOSTON — Adam McQuaid was preparing for a first-period face-off, and he almost missed his video tribute. But as both benches stood up and banged their sticks in appreciation, the Rangers defenseman looked up and waved to the fans that he called his own for the previous nine seasons.

“I’m not going to try to think too much about it,” McQuaid said after his Rangers won, 3-2, and went into the nine-day break feeling good. “Obviously a lot of great memories here, and a lot of great friendships, both with guys on the team and people in the city. Been treated so well here. So it was nice to be back.”

McQuaid, 32, played for the Bruins from 2009 through this past season, and that included winning a Stanley Cup in 2011. As a free agent this summer, he signed a one-year, $2.75 million with the Rangers, and that expiring deal could make him a coveted commodity at this trade deadline.

But mostly it’s because he has played well, blocking shots and playing the physical game that so endeared him to this fanbase. Just for old times sake, he got into a scrap with Chris Wagner late in the third period that ended up being called roughing rather than a fight.

“It was a first for me. I didn’t know what it would be like to play against my former team,” McQuaid said. “But kind of just tried to settle in and play like I normally would.”

see also

Streaking into break: Rangers get Quinn a win in Boston return

BOSTON — Listen, the Rangers haven’t had a ton of…

Rookie defenseman Ryan Lindgren was told after the game he was going back to AHL Hartford to play some games during the Rangers’ nine-day break. Lindgren, 20, made his NHL debut on Tuesday and played these past three games, all wins.

“They made sure to say this isn’t [a demotion]. They thought I played well,” Lindgren said. “Just go back down there, play games and see what happens.”

Also down with the Wolf Pack is regular backup goalie Alexandar Georgiev, sent back Friday in order to keep the 23-year-old fresh for after the break.

“Obviously got a young guy where 10 days is something we didn’t think would be good for his development,” Quinn said.

One young player not going down is 20-year-old center Brett Howden, whose game has hit a rookie wall while playing all but one game in the team’s opening 48.

“Rest is more important for him,” Quinn said. “He’s been here for a long time, he’s had a good first half.”

The lineup was the same for the third straight game, meaning defenseman Brendan Smith was a healthy scratch for the ninth time in the past 11 games.