The Rangers had been getting by with superlative goaltending and a will to win despite struggling in multiple aspects. Wednesday, the roof and walls caved in at the same time, as the myriad of errors and mistakes came back to burn NY in a 5-1 loss to the Canadiens. If you play with fire, eventually you burned, and the Rangers were tarred, roasted and quartered throughout the loss.
The Rangers didn't play great the first two periods, but did pick it up partway into the second frame, aided by a big penalty kill. Rick Nash tallied later on the PP to make it 2-1 and the team entered the third with a shot to win. Two early turnovers - the story of the game - and it was 4-1, lights out.
All five Montreal goals were scored with little resistance, aided by horrific play by the Rangers, especially the defense. In order, here is the rundown:
The first goal, Kevin Hayes – who was probably the biggest coaster of all the coasters – iced the puck, then turned it over, then lollygagged back. Keith Yandle covered nobody in front (theme of the night). Dan Boyle tried to cover two guys, and covered none. Lars Eller at the crease, backhand over to Sven Andrighetto for easy shot in to make it 1-0.
The second goal occurred when Dan Girardi failed to stop the puck behind the net. Max Pacioretty put it in front to Devante Smith-Pelly, who was open in front when Nash did a drive by. That allowed DSP to score uncontested to make it 2-0
The NY Post: Ryan McDonagh turnover up the left-side boards resulting in Devante Smith-Pelly’s second goal of the night to make it 3-1 just 17 seconds in to the third period. (This one was the killer, as Henrik Lundqvist admitted he lost focus after this tally. Plus, all the good will from the Nash goal went out the window)
It was just 72 seconds later when Marc Staal blindly tossed a backhand pass up the right boards, and back came Alex Galchenyuk, who beat Lundqvist short-side on a high wrist shot to make 4-1. (If it wasn't lights out at 3-1, it now really was)
Max Pacioretty got a power-play goal with just over 10 minutes remaining in the third, a wide-open redirection from in front that went through Lundqvist’s legs. That made it 5-1 and in came Antti Raanta. Most of us believed that Lundqvist should have been taken out at 4-1, maybe even 3-1, but at least he got additional rest for Friday's game.
Mistake after mistake after mistake. it might have been half bad if it was just one player but it was the entire theme. Sean Hartnett summed up the first 21 games as such: Superhuman goaltending, excellent penalty kill, improving power play, unimpressive defending, poor puck management. That latter component was the story again last night but the first item, goaltending, was unable to save them yesterday.
The issues we saw yesterday have existed for a while and been getting worse lately. Saturday against Florida was a good example. Monday, they weren't good for 40 minutes versus Nashville but Hank was a beast. Wednesday, it all fell apart. If they play like this against a physical Boston team, another beat down could occur.
Hayes looks miscast at wing. Move him back to center. Play JT Miller again with Kreider and Stepan, since he does a better job of balancing the line, even if he doesn't score. In practice today, some of the moves that should be made look like they will occur. Coach Alain Vigneault has Stalberg and Boyle as extras. Etem on right with Moore and Stoll. McIlrath with Yandle as the third d-pairing.
New York needs to look in the mirror and realize that despite being 16-4-2 , their overall play has been less than optimal. This is not me overreacting to one loss, but been something i have been saying for a while. The record is great, the play resulting in the record, not so much. Fix the problems now, so they don't become even further ingrained.
Happy Thanksgiving to all!!!