Following a gut-check win Friday over the Capitals, the Rangers returned home to face their subway rivals, the Islanders. Like the Pittsburgh game, three goals in under two minutes - this time in 1:39 in the first five minutes of the game - put the Rangers at a 3-0 disadvantage. This time, the Blueshirts rallied to come back and tie the game, only to lose 6-4 in a goal with less than two minutes remaining.
Sunday was the sixth time this year the Rangers allowed a game-winning goal with under 1:45 remaining in either regulation or overtime. There were two other instances that the game-winner came with just under four minutes left in the contest (see tweet from Hockey Stat Miner http://twitter.com/HockeyStatMiner/status/706689688606736389). New York used to be a great closing team. They still have been when entering the third period with a lead. But I have to admit that late in games I almost expect a goal against to occur rather than the Blueshirts locking down the opponent and/or win. Whether it's a style or confidence issue, whatever it is it needs to resolved prior to the playoffs.
I am not about to rehash every goal against or problem but cover a few things. First, JT Miller took the heat for his line mates yesterday. Derick Brassard, despite his game-tying PPG, wasn't particularly good again Sunday while the same can be said about Mats Zuccarello. Their defensive liabilities, either effort or focus, may require AV to split them up. As a result or consequence of their struggles, Miller ended up stapled to the bench Sunday. That's not to say that he didn't deserve to be, because he wasn't particularly good, but he wasn't the only one that deserved to be benched. With Miller benched, Kevin Hayes rightfully was moved up from the fourth to first line; that movement bringing into question the rationale of having there initially. In addition, Tanner Glass saw more ice time, which he clearly deserved, as I thought he was pretty good Sunday.
The fateful draw. I understand taking off Eric Staal, who just finished a long 1:01 shift. If not for the unneeded icing by Dan Girardi - prior to which he had made two excellent defensive plays - Staal would not have needed to be on for the prior shift and might have been rested. But that draw and face off win by Staal, one of the 20 he had in 22 draws and was brilliant in general Sunday, ended up with the puck deflected into the bench by Viktor Stalberg. With Staal gassed, Derek Stepan and Dominic Moore were brought on. Stepan was 6-for-12 Sunday and had won 46% of his draws this year while Moore was 5-for-9 and had won 53% of his draws this year. AV stuck with Stepan, who had won his prior two and would be on his right, dominant side as opposed to Moore taking the draw on his weaker side. In addition, Casey Cizikas had only win 6-of-18 to that point Sunday, so it's not as if he had a major advantage. Hindsight is always 20/20, as we know what happened. Clean loss, puck goes back to Cal Clutterbuck too quickly for Keith Yandle to get there and he beats Antti Raanta high to the short side on a shot that should have been stopped.
AV is taking major heat for that decision. In fact, lately for almost any decision, even ones that go right, he is taking heat. The line combinations and defensive pairings have been a constant source of criticism. A weak penalty kill that struggles especially at key moments along with a scatter shot power play have also resulted in him drawing the fanbase's ire. As a head coach in general, especially one of an Original Six team in a big market, criticism is part of the game. Add in decisions that appear confounding and that just augments the disagreement by the fans. Finally, after two good runs and no Cup and the belief the window maybe closing, it's clear why he is a touch point for criticism. I have been through this before earlier in the season. He is not a perfect coach and I am not ignoring his faults but I also believe some of the criticism is overdone and the fanbase just wants someone to be angry at for any loss or perceived misuse. AV will be under the spotlight as all coaches are in the playoffs. If things go south, he could take the brunt of the blame, though as of now I would believe it to be somewhat unfounded and a short-sighted move to make any change.
Following the loss, the Rangers play Buffalo tomorrow, Detroit on Friday and then head to the Left Coast for their three-game Cali trip. Not an easy schedule, especially against SK, LA and Ana. The loss Sunday means that New York no longer controls their own destiny in the division, as the aisles are now three points back with three games in hand. So, in order to keep pressure on the Isles to win and not lose their play as an auto-bid to the post season, the Rangers have to win as their cushion following the loss and one Thursday to Pittsburgh has dissipated.