Causes For Concern
It looked as if the Rangers were about to turn their season around. After a inconclusive start to the New Year, New York broke out with two emotional wins against the rival New York Islanders, and an 2-1 overtime loss (but creditable performance) against the Tampa Bay Lightning. They followed this up with a 3-3 come from behind tie with their nemesis the New Jersey Devils, and another one in Montreal against perhaps one of the hottest teams in the league. And then came Boston…
In the space of 20 minutes, the Rangers went from a team that was winning and building confidence to one whose confidence was once again suspect. The Bruins came out hard against the Rangers and New York quickly lost their composure and their confidence, collapsing to a 5-2 loss including three minutes of a fruitless two man advantage. The result was compounded by the loss of their last steady defenseman in Kasparaitis, perhaps for the rest of the season. The only Ranger highlight of the game, a punch from Eric Lindros that sent Joe Thornton to the locker room (and ultimately out of the follow up contest), but it was the only punch the Rangers showed.