The Rangers return home after a horrific performance in back-to-back losses to Minnesota and Winnipeg to face the Capitals at home. Nothing like coming back for an 'easy' match up, as Washington may be the best team in the conference and league. Following tonight's contest, the Rangers are at home Tuesday for Anaheim before beginning their Holiday break.
I will get a much broader blog over the next week into the myriad of issues that are this year's Rangers, or at least that exist lately. Most are already well-known. But it's not just one problem or one area that need fixing, but a plethora (yes, breaking out the SAT words today) of them. It would be easier if there was just one, but even one seems to get fixed - the sixth d-man and/or questions about Dylan McIlrath, another area springs a major leak.
The problems have reached almost epic proportion. The good news or silver lining is that after Tuesday's contest, maybe the break will be just what this team needs. The problem aren't just physical, but mental breakdowns that repeat themselves over and over. I am unsure if it's the cause or the effect but that has led to or is caused by mental softness. New York used to be a mentally resilient team, but now, even if something good happens, we all expect it to be followed by a negative event.
Tonight, New York will be again be without Dan Girardi (knee), and it makes a ton of sense to scratch him again Tuesday, to allow him 10 more days to heal. In addition, Kevin Klein, out since Nov 30 with his strained oblique, will sit again today. If he sits Tuesday, that will mean he missed at least 24 days and 10 games, enabling him to be eligible for LTIR. This from an injury that was supposed to be just a 2-3 week absence and one I said would like be closer to four weeks. In their stead, Chris Summers, called up Friday due to the team's cap crunch, will be in the lineup again.
Up front, where its a debacle of immense proportions. Derek Stepan will play his second game back after returning from his broken ribs Friday. Oscar Lindberg, a healthy scratch Friday, will be back in the lineup. Who he replaces is not yet clear. Many should be scratched, especially Kevin Hayes, who needs a swift kick in the butt. But it likely will be Viktor Stalberg, who is clearly deserving of the benching.
If New York plays as it did in Minnesota and Winnipeg, Washington will blow them out. Maybe the team needs that at home ice to look and the mirror and realize the error of their ways. But that likely is too optimistic for a squad that has shown no signs or learning from their mistakes.