Energy and Execution. Execution and Energy. The new mantra of the New York Rangers. Thursday's slow start and loss to Carolina was blamed on a lack of initial energy. Saturday's horrific start and 4-3 defeat to the Sabres was linked to a lack of execution. Term and spin it any way you want, the end result was the same; a pair of bad losses against weaker competition that once again showed the flaws on this team.
Three straight losses have removed the ability for New York to really control their own destiny. Granted, a win tonight locks up a playoff berth, but the possibility of a two-seed is now lost in the wind. What seemed a decent possibility and maybe probability a bit over a week ago is no longer the case, as the Rangers are back in a downward slide. The entire season has been one of extreme highs and lows, and despite it only being three games, this streak feels like it has gone on for much longer. This is likely due to the timing of the streak. Losses in January are the same as ones in March or April, they just don't feel that way.
I know several are in a panic related to the team's play recently. Others take a differ by approach and feel any criticism is piling on. I realize that a team is unlikely to be up for all 82 contests but referring to my point, that may or could be the case for a January game. It should not be the case for a contest down the stretch with the playoffs in site and a possible two-seed in the offering. You can spin the struggles any way you want, but a lack of effort is inexcusable this late.
Place the blame on the coaches or players or management, wherever you feel it best sits. Regardless of the owner or most responsible party, the blame is warranted. Physical errors to an extent happen. When you make the same mistake over and over, then it becomes a lack of mental capacity in conjunction with a physical error. At a certain point - and we are way beyond that now - those errors should not happen. When they do, all are to blame, including the style of play deployed.
I am not one who says that a failure now means that it will certainly carry forward. Granted the burden to eradicate that mistake, which has been engrained and repetitive, becomes that much harder. But it can be done, it just requires a retraining to an extent coupled wit a focus on the small details to eliminate the big problems. That is something that should be worked on daily in practice.
In addition, criticism of the lineup is warranted to an extent. That is not the sole reason for the latest issues but it clearly has been a contributory factor. Offensively, the goal is to create some chemistry. The third line of Staal-Hayes-Fast seems to have gotten better in that regard. Same with the fourth or Glass-Moore-Stalberg. The top six has been hurt more defensively than offensively later, if that is even possible. Another shuffle could occur, though I think the current combinations are the way to go. Oscar Lindberg still sits and waits as his absence is now 10 games old. I am unsure who he should be in for, but a change up may be warranted and you at least know he will bring some new energy.
That is even more the case on the blue line. Ryan McDonagh and Kevin Klein, despite their embarrassingly bad performance Saturday, should probably remain together. Keith Yandle wasn't much better but the challenge of finding him a partner remains. Marc Staal, Dan Girardi and Dan Boyle have all tried and failed. The obvious solution is the one AV won't use; Dylan McIlrath. Please spare me the excuses of not using a rookie in a key game. He has played enough that coming back in this situation won't phase him. Plus with Scott Hartnell, Brandon Dubinsky and Boone Jenner on ice for Columbus tonight, a physical presence is needed. In addition, the aforementioned trio hasn't done enough to deserve their locked in spot in the lineup. Play McI with Yandle. Sit one of Boyle or G each of the last four games, as Larry Brooks wrote and we have suggested repeatedly. Play Staal with whoever remains or get really gutsy and call up Brady Skjei. Three solid d-man are not enough. Now McI is not a world beater but you will get full effort with a physical presence nightly; two major areas lacking.
The sky is not falling nor is everything perfect. They are somewhere in the middle leaving the wrong way. The lever needs to be moved back to the right or this season will definitely end sooner than wanted or expected.