The Rangers take on the Ducks in the third game of their current road trip and second on their annual California swing. Each of the first two games had their own level of embarrassment. Against Colorado, New York was penned in their own zone and allowed the Avalanche to dictate the play, limiting the Blueshirts’ space, especially in the neutral zone. Sunday, after taking a 2-0 lead, New York forgot how to play, enabling LA to advantage of their size and speed. Three PPG against in less than 10 minutes completely turned the game in the Kings’ favor, though the change in momentum happened well before then.
As written in the NY Post, just before they were preparing to leave home, the Rangers’ penalty kill was ranked second in the league at an 83.4% success rate. They then gave up two to the Sabres on Thursday night at the Garden, and after stopping the one chance the Avalanche had in Denver on Saturday afternoon, they just fell apart against the Kings. Heading into Monday's action, New York's prevention rate had dropped to 82.1%, 12th in the NHL
What that shows is that the Rangers had been propped up by a penalty kill. The adage is the best penalty killer is your goalie was proven time and again by Henrik Lundqvist and Ondrej Pavelec. Buffalo and LA exposed a major weakness - or one of the major weaknesses - on this team; an inability to clear the front of the net. When NY had success on the PP, it’s triggered by puck and player movement, but just as much by a solid screen by Chris Kreider and now Rick Nash in front.
Last Thursday and Sunday, the Sabres and Kong’s established net-front presence and there was not a damn thing New York could do about it. Look at the goals scored. Ristolainen from the point, screen in front. Muzzin’s tally, screen in front. Pearson’s goal was a direct result of the Rangers being unable to clear the front of the net in front of Hank. Granted, not every goal was scored this year but you are seeing the pattern. The same can be said about 5v5 play. For the most part, that grittiness and physical play New York had in years past. That presence, has all been lost.
When I read the Post this morning and saw coach Alain Vigneault’s quote, I almost feel over laughing. This was said Sunday and we all see how that went. The variance between aspiration and actual is stark.
“What I’ve said 1,000 times, we need to play the right way,” Vigneault said before Sunday’s game. “For me and our group, the focus is going to be on defensive first. We need to play a strong defensive game. Thought [Saturday in Denver] we were pretty good in that area. From playing a strong defensive game, we should get some offensive opportunities.”
If the focus is defense first, guess what, they get a failing grade. Now maybe I am being harsh and that is the focus. But there is a major disconnect between desires and actual. New York is bleeding shots at a ridiculously poor rate. They are worst in the league in shot differential. When they actually play defense, we see how that generates offense. But those instances are few and way too far between. When you couple that poor play with the recent downturn in the PK - which to me is partially driven by allowing too much room up top to the shooters in addition to inability to cover the front of the net - and you have a recipe for disaster.
If there is one thing you know about me, I hate punting. But it sure is oooking more and more like that might be the wisest direction to follow. Losses today and Thursday might seal the deal and drive the types of discussions GM Jeff Gorton will have during the All-Star break. (Apologies for lack of a blog yesterday, funeral in am and then spent rest of day catching up at office)
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