DETROIT -- Darren McCarty knows rock bottom all too well, so you might say this came as an unexpected high.
McCarty, who struggled with bankruptcy, substance abuse and marital problems before deciding to make a comeback this winter, must have felt like the king of Hockeytown after scoring the first goal in the Detroit Red Wings 4-2 victory over the Nashville Predators at Joe Louis Arena Saturday afternoon that put his team up 2-0 in the Western Conference match-up.
The series resumes tonight in Nashville (TSN, 6:30 p.m.).
"I couldn't have written a better script," said McCarty. "I haven't scored a goal in this league in a long time. You want to chip in and you can't think of a better time to do it."
You might say it's been longer than he'd care to imagine and there are plenty of things that have happened since that he'd just as soon forget.
Nonetheless, seeing McCarty make the long road back has been impressive.
McCarty, who turned 36 on April 1, attended a Wings game in late November and soon after there were rumblings about him trying to make his way back to the NHL.
The road began with the Flint Generals of the International Hockey League, not exactly a place known for rejuvenating careers.
WITHIN REACH
Few expected the comeback to last long or lead to the promised land.
But after three goals and six points in 11 games, McCarty signed with the Grand Rapids Griffins, the Wings' American Hockey League affiliate.
That's when McCarty knew his goal was within reach.
"It was about a week in or so and the opportunity I got there was enormous," said McCarty, who had five goals, 10 points and 21 penalty minutes in 13 AHL games before getting into three regular season games with the Wings.
"I got to play on the first line, play a lot of minutes, play power play. Just play the game and have fun. I was able to put the puck in the net there and showcase a little more offence.
"I got the confidence and that's really what it was. The confidence to play again."
McCarty's teammates have been quick to voice support.
"It's unbelievable," said centre Kris Draper. "Not just us teammates. Everyone in the rink, in the state of Michigan and anyone involved in hockey has to be very excited.
"This is a feel-good story for a guy that's had some tough times. I love seeing him in this dressing room. He's taken advantage of an opportunity, but an opportunity that he created himself with all that he's done. He's worked so hard to put himself in this situation."
"You can't help but cheer for people that are trying to get their life back on track, especially when a guy has worked as hard as he has and has been one of the favourite sons here in Detroit," added Red Wings head coach Mike Babcock.
Babcock was frank when asked when he believed McCarty might be able to make a contribution on his fourth line in the playoffs.
"I didn't know until his last game in Chicago," said Babcock. "I don't think he had been good until that point. But in that game, he was a real factor. He showed some quickness that he hadn't shown. The more he plays, the more tempo he'll get in his game.
"The other decision we had was that he can get (the puck) out on the wall, he knows how to play, he's won a lot and knows how to win. Even on the bench, he knows what to say."
