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Another blown lead for New York in 3-2 OT loss to Ott., Chicago in tonight

December 3, 2022, 11:16 PM ET [187 Comments]
Jan Levine
New York Rangers Blogger • RSSArchiveCONTACT
The Rangers blew another lead, the third time in their last four contests they lost a game they led, falling 3-2 in overtime to the Senators. Last Saturday, they choked away a 3-0 third period to Edmonton and lost. Monday, they led 2-0 in the first before the walls caved in against the Devils. Then last night, when a Brady Tkachuk goal with 48 seconds left tied it and his goal with 18 seconds remaining in overtime won it. New York faces Chicago at home tonight.

Game recap:


A few quick thoughts:
1) The blown leads, especially in the third period, have become a habit once again. Under coach Alain Vigneault and shell defense played, it was pray that Henrik Lundqvist could protect the lead. Lately, it has become hope Igor Shesterkin or whoever is in net can make a lead stand up. I am not sure if it's the system - or lack thereof - or personnel or both that is the issue. But right now, this is a mentally fragile team with seemingly no path forward to get out of their own way. We expect the worst rather than the best to happen. Unfortunately, that viewpoint has been proven to be accurate, putting all the good vibes coming into this season very much in doubt.

GM Chris Drury has a very flawed team while coach Gerald Gallant needs to alter a system that doesn't look to maximize the talent of the team. In addition, questioning the talent of the team is more than fair based on what we have seen. You can find half a dozen players, at a minimum, underperforming. Whether it's a crisis of confidence or our overestimation of their talent, the Glimmer Twins and several others are not carrying their weight. A shake up might be needed or necessary, though with the cap constraints I am not sure how much can be done.

After tonight, the Rangers face the Blues, Golden Knights, Avalanche, Devils and Maple Leafs. New York better figure it out and fast or those five contests could get ugly. 

2) If there were any positives in the loss, Vitali Kravtsov and Igor Shesterkin were it. Kravtsov finally got his first goal of the season, sticking with the play after his shot deflected and hit Travis Hamonic in the throat. Kravtsov retrieved the puck and beat Cam Talbot to the wide side off the post. Maybe if Kravtsov gets going, he can drag Artmei Panarin up with him.

Shesterkin was brilliant in the loss. He deserved a better fate. Granted, one goal was disallowed and a second had the whistle blown dead, even though the goal would not have counted as Tyler Motte pushed Igor's pad enabling the puck to enter the net. For 59 minutes, it looked like Shesterkin was going to have a win to build on to help him regain his confidence. But it all came crashing down.

Vincent Trocheck's clear hit Jacob Trouba and Trouba's clearing attempt was stopped brilliantly by Thomas Chabot. His subsequent point shot was deflected by Tkachuk past Igor. In OT, Mika Zibanejad, who scored earlier in the game, was stoned on the breakaway, telegraphing his favorite move. Over a minute later, Tkachuk was sprung on a breakaway, sloughed off a back-checking Panarin like he wasn't there and beat Igor five-hole on a shot that maybe should have been stopped. 

3) Trouba struggled again in the game. Adam Fox had two bad giveaways contributing to goals. The D overall was meh and didn't do much to give the team a real chance to win, as they were bailed out throughout by Shesterkin.

New York made a move today, sending down Zac Jones and calling up Ben Harpur and Jonny Brodzinski. Jones getting send down means that Libor Hajek likely has won the sixth defenseman spot, which thrills all of us to no end. Plus, Harpur is nothing to write home about, but he is better suited to the extra d-man spot

Gallant, when asked why Jones was sent to the AHL, gave the answer we all kind of expected. At least now, Jones should top-four minutes and not be shuttled in and out of the lineup. The sixth d-m,an slot is in flux and you wonder if Matthew Robertson eventually gets a look. Plus, Harpur is making less than Jones, allowing additional cap space to accrue.

"He's a young player, he can still go down there without clearing waivers. We want him to play some games. We like him, but we need him to play games as a young player."


Brodzinski might dress as one forward may be banged up. I don't expect him to be in New York long, though that might depend on how long that player is sidelined, if he is out tonight. Brodzinski can center the fourth line with Barclay Goodrow moving over to wing or up a line if need be.



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