Rangers GM touts Kevin Hayes as true difference maker after Game 4 OT winner

Glen Sather is patting himself on the back.

The New York Rangers general manager was in a celebratory mood after Wednesday's Game 4, overtime win over the Pittsburgh Penguins, crediting the addition of Kevin Hayes - who scored the game-winning goal - as a catalyst for the team's success to date.

"Oh, it would be completely different," Sather opined in regards to the importance of signing Hayes last summer. "Not only wouldn’t we have had him, but we would have had to go out and gotten somebody else (to fill the role as third-line center).

"I didn’t envision it would happen this quickly," he added, speaking of Hayes' impact. "It’s very rare to be able to do what he’s done. He’s a very smart player, he learns quickly and he’s a great kid."

The overtime goal was Hayes' first of the playoffs, and came on the heels of a 17-goal, 28-assist performance in 79 regular season games as a rookie.

For his part, Hayes is happy to see a dream come true.

"Every kid wants to do that," he said of scoring in overtime. "I’m excited"