Rangers have clearly plateaued since they held on to beat San Jose 6-5 on December 3rd. Since then they've lost 7 regulation games, giving up a total of 37 goals in those 7 losses (5.28 GAA for those counting or 4.86 if you exclude the three empty net goals). Perhaps more alarming, Shesterkin has been in net for 5 of those, with 26 goals given up (as well as the three empty netters).
The offense hasn't been totally awful in those seven losses, with 15 goals in 7 games, including scoring 3 goals on 4 occasions...
Question is...is this just a bad stretch, or is this really what we're likely to see from the Rangers for the rest of the year. A team that struggles to defend the rush, and has sub-par goaltending from their starter?
If nothing else, San Jose showed the rest of the league how to play the Rangers. Not every team can, but the blueprint is now out there.
I mean didn't the devil's show everyone the blue print in the playoffs? Rush them out skate them and outwork them
Rangers r a low effort squad. It rots from the core
It was only a matter of time. Because of the cap there is no room for error or injuries.
They started the season without real top 6 RWs. Laf has capably filled one of the top 6 RW slots, but Kakko is not the answer and Wheeler is clearly not the answer. Then you lose Chtyl who was actually starting to look like a top 6 C and Kakko who seemed to fill the 3RW slot. Fox missed a month. Gusty is gassed.
Trocheck has been great, but imagine how much better the Rangers would be with Chytl filling one of the top 3 C spots vs Bonino.
Last night without Zib was doomed from the opening whistle. The Rangers need another C and a RW who can score and fill out the Zib/Ck line. Until that happens they are going to be what they have been for the last month.
1 Cup in 86 years
2048
I'd add that Kreider has forgotten how to score goals as teams have figured out how to prevent the tip ins.
Kreider is a goal scorer if they are easy. Witness his tipins from the side of the net with no opposing defenseman near him. And more than a few easy finishes off 2 on 1's with Zib feeding him a tapin. When greasy goals are needed he doesn't score them.