NY Rangers jump to Dan Girardi's defense after his turnover leads to LA Kings' Game 1 winner

New York Rangers players from left, Derek Stepan, Ryan McDonagh and Carl Hagelin take questions from the media at a news conference in Santa Monica, Calif., Thursday, June 5, 2014. Rangers coach Alain Vigneault, not seen, challenged all his players to bring their A game to Game 2 of the Stanley Cup final. Not everyone did in the 3-2 loss Wednesday, against the Los Angeles Kings he suggested. (AP Photo/Damian Dovarganes) (The Associated Press)

New York Rangers head coach Alain Vigneault takes questions from the media at a news conference in Santa Monica, Calif., Thursday, June 5, 2014. Rangers coach Alain Vigneault challenged all his players to bring their A game to Game 2 of the Stanley Cup final. Not everyone did in the 3-2 loss Wednesday, against the Los Angeles Kings he suggested.(AP Photo/Damian Dovarganes) (The Associated Press)

The New York Rangers are confident that defenseman Dan Girardi will bounce back from the turnover that led to the Los Angeles Kings' winning goal in their Stanley Cup finals opener.

The Rangers rallied to Girardi's defense Thursday, saying they all made mistakes in the Kings' 3-2 overtime victory.

No mistake was more glaring than Girardi's errant pass from his knees after the puck skipped over his stick early in the extra period.

Girardi passed the puck straight to Mike Richards, who got it to Justin Williams for the winning goal.

Ryan McDonagh is Girardi's defensive partner, and he realizes he played a part in the mistake by leaving the defensive zone too quickly.

Forward Derek Stepan is confident Girardi will forget it before Game 2 on Saturday.