The Rangers came into Tuesday's game against the Bruins fresh off a disappointing 1-0 shutout loss to the Kings. If the mood was somber and sour after that one, it got much more morose with even purser lips due to the 2-1 loss to Boston. New York dominated the stats in the game, save for the one place it matter most, the scoreboard.
Game Lowlights:
The losses to LA and Boston have brought up what seemingly has been the age-old question and dilemma for this squad; where is the offense going to come from? Unfortunately, when I say age-old, I do mean age-old, because if you look back at the history of tis franchise, especially the recent one, offense is the area the team has struggled with overcoming. In this case, we can't blame John Tortorella, since the style has changed, nor can the onus really be put on Alain Vigenault, because the team is generating chances like crazy.
Vigneault out it best: "“Right now we’re doing all the things you’re supposed to do to win.“We spend a lot of time in their end with people in front of their net. Their goalie made some huge saves, but obviously we haven’t scored a 5-on-5 goal in three games. We’ve got to make them pay for their mistakes.… 114 shots over the past three games, but just two goals.Four goals in four games just won't get it done and is unacceptable.
You can make the argument that maybe Henrik Lundqvist should have stopped both goals, one went glove side, one went five-hole. But expecting him to be perfect nightly is fallacy and also unfair. He needs to be backed up by the offense, which again isn't happening. In addition, it's amazing that every time, or just what seems like every time, a mistake is made, it ends up in the back of the net. On Sunday, it was the Tyler Toffoli shot that went off Anton Stralman's skate. Yesterday, on the Thornton goal, ill-advosed pass by Zuccarello, Justin Falk misses Thornton and boom a goal. On the PP, a misplay at the line, Paille converts and it's light out. However, on the flip side, the Rangers have to work and grind to score any goal, and that is the main difference between them and the elite clubs.
Filip Bondy put it very well in his column: "It can’t just be bad luck now for this many seasons, not with two very different coaches. Sather simply hasn’t acquired enough scorers, or the right scorers for the Garden pressures." That may very well be the case but how do you fix it? We all thought that Marian Gaborik couldn't do it alone, so they got Rick Nash, but Nash and Gaborik didn't co-exist well and Gaborik struggled. Kreider came up and he helped for a bit, but he too is struggling to finish. So where to now. Is trading Michael Del Zotto the answer? To me, no, and I will get to it more later. Is getting a Fleischmann, Hemsky, Glencross, Stempniak, and anyone of that ilk that much better from what they have? Who are they displaying in the top-nine? Maybe Miller, when he gets back in, or Pouliot but is Kreider-Stepan-Callahan, Hagelin-Richards-Nash, Brassard or Zuccarello also going to sit. Are those players that much better? Maybe if you swing the fences for a St. Louis, doubt he moves, especially with Stamkos out and Tampa playing well, or someone of that caliber, it makes sense. But you have to give to get and MDZ won't be enough for that.
Unfortunately, unless the Rangers are willing to do a major overhaul, similar to getting rid of Gaborik for three pieces, but in the reverse, trading multiple pieces for one, they will be on the outside looking in on getting a sniper. What may be the best course of action for now, as distasteful as that may be for many, is not doing anything and hoping that the return of Nash coupled with the hopeful growth in several players will be enough. Then, before the deadline, see who is available and hopefully grab a snipper either towards the end of their deal this year or one where salary can be assumed for the the future.
Del Zotto:
The current whipping boy gets back in the lineup Thursday against Dallas. Who he replaces is up in the air. It could be Falk, who despite bringing some stability and solid defense with size to the lineup, is what he is and what you are getting from him now may be the ceiling and future expectations. The other possibility is John Moore, who has been up-and-down himself, with the growth expected after last year's playoffs not really materializing.
The bigger question is whether this is just a showcase to try and deal him or a real second, third or fourth chance, depending on your view. Of course, if Del Zotto struggles again, his already plummeting trade value may drop some more. Then again, if he plays well, and that value rises, will the Rangers be willing to deal him? The rumor is that several teams have interest in Del Zotto, including Ottawa and Calgary, sparking speculation that Zibanejad or Glencross could be the return, though I doubt either occur, especially with Glencross sidelined with an injury. In addition, Edmonton reportedly has interest, but as mentioned over and over, I have no interest in Hemsky and the odd on the Rangers and Flyers making a deal are slim, so put those Voracek or Schenn thoughts out of your head, though either would be nice.
Vigneault made it vEry clear what he wants to see from MDZ: "On our team, the way our defensive corps is playing, he's fighting for one of the regular six spots. A player like Michael has to play to his strengths. I've been told his strengths are his ability to beat the forecheck, join the rush, help out on the power play (and) get his shots through. I have not seen that on a consistent enough basis for him to be able to say that he's going to be in the lineup every night. Some other Ds can have an off night, you’re going to throw them back in even though they have. Michael in the 20 some odd games that I’ve been here has not shown that consistently enough. We’ll see how he responds and we’ll go from there...
“He is supposed to be a skating defenseman that can beat the forecheck, that can join the rush and obviously has the ability to chip in on the power play,… Vigneault added. “That means he can get a shot through, he can see people that are open around the net. I’ve seen that throughout the span that I’ve been here but I haven’t seen it consistently enough to say he warrants a regular spot all the time. I can only go by what I’ve seen and with what my coaches are seeing. I wasn’t here in the past.…
The gauntlet has been thrown down to MDZ, let's see if he can pick it up. In addition, Vigneault should play him on the PP to use those offensive skills in an attempt to boost a moribund at best offense.