The Rangers played down to their opponent, losing 2-1 to the Canadiens. Montreal, off a 2-1 loss to the Isles the night before, had more energy and jump than New York. In terms of disappointing losses in the season, this has to rank right near the top. The Rangers are back in action Monday in Columbus
Game recap:
Lines: Chris Kreider was out as expected, Ryan Carpenter, called up Sunday with Julien Gautheir landing on injured reserve and the team in need of depth, was a healthy scratch. Artemi Panarin and Vitali Kravtsov, who missed practice Saturday due to the flu/stomach bug making its way through the team's locker room, were both in the lineup.
Lafrenière-Zibanejad-Kakko- Panarin-Trocheck-Kravtsov Goodrow-Chytil-Vesey Blais-Brodzinski-Leschyshyn
A few thoughts: 1) The Rangers outshot the Canadiens 40-31 and attempted the Habs 82-50, but that number is not an accurate reflection of how the game went. Most of New York's shots came from the perimeter, especially after the first period. The Blueshirts pressured Sam Montembeault occasionally during the game with Montembeault coming up big when needed, especially on a pair of saves on Kaapo Kakko in front of the net. But the team's attack was sporadic at best and they allowed Montreal to control action and beat the team wide throughout the contest. Igor Shesterkin made at least half a dozen brilliant saves to keep the team in the game.
2) Coach Gerald Gallant dropped Kravtsov down and moved Jimmy Vesey up during the contest. Alexis Lafreniere had an uneven game at best and was off the ice late for Panarin as the Rangers attempted to tie the score. Kravtsov didn't do too much, but he had a big block of a shot in his own zone and was somewhat noticeable in the Habs zone. Despite that, he rode the pine throughout. With Kreider likely out again Monday, Laf probably gets another chance to skate on the top line, though he did have a pair of horrific passes, one leading to the power play on which Montreal scored.
3) K'Andre Miller didn't have a great game. He flubbed a shot in the slot, and later on that same shift, he overskated the puck leading to Nick Suzuki's pass in the slot and game-winning goal by Cole Caufield. On the flip side, his speed and long reach prevented a Suzuki breakaway later in the third period. Miller was not alone, as unsure we can find a d-man that had a good game. Braden Schneider might have been the best of the lot, though that isn't saying much as Adam Fox, Jacob Trouba and Ryan Lindgren, who also missed Saturday's practice due to the bug, all struggled in the loss.
4) Two interesting nuggets from Arthur Staple in his postgame column today: First, the lack of 5x5 production. An issue last year, that area was remediated by the trade deadline deals. This season, the production has ebbed and flowed and right now, they are in a valley. The losses of Kreider and Gautheir have not helped. Against Dallas, you can understand the struggles, versus Montreal, not so much.
The Rangers have gone two games without a five-on-five goal. Thursday’s dramatic tying score by Miller came with the goalie pulled, followed by Fox’s three-on-three overtime winner. Panarin’s goal Sunday came on a delayed penalty with six Rangers skaters on.Dallas and Montreal certainly accentuate the defensive side of things and both try to do the same things in the defensive zone — pack the middle, get physical in front of their house and rely on solid goaltending.
Second, the power play is in a rut. We have discussed the lack of puck and player movement. In addition, changing personnel has been mentioned, though that has yet to be the case. The last two games with Laf in front of the net and without Kreider, you sense just how good CK20 is at his role, though it would be unfair to fully blame Laf for the problems. As Staple suggested, maybe try Filip Chytil, who I thought was one of the better forwards today, or Kakko, who has a net presence, for a different look.
That goes for the power play, now in an 0-for-11 slump to drop the PP to 22.1 percent, 16th in the league. The power play was fourth a year ago with almost the same personnel, save for the Vincent Trocheck/Ryan Strome swap. Lafrenière doesn’t fit as well as Kreider, of course, but there’s an opportunity here to make a tweak or two. Maybe give Kaapo Kakko or Filip Chytil a couple-game look with the top guys? Sitting middle of the pack is not how this group should operate, especially when the top unit takes its 90-second shifts with the advantage.
5) The team was 13-3-2 in their last 18 games. I am not going to overreact to one bad loss, it happens in a long season. Not ideal and a game that they should have won or at least gotten a point. In addition, the team is dealing with a bug that may have sapped the energy of several, though that concerns me even more tomorrow with a quick turnaround, so expect a lineup change or two. The key will be to learn from this lesson and rebound tomorrow against the Blue Jackets.