The New York Rangers once again were solid defensively – and once again – struggled offensively. At least Thursday, they scored a goal, breaking a two-game scoreless streak, but their inability to light the lamp resulted in a 2-1 overtime defeat to Toronto. New York is in Montreal to face the Atlantic Division Canadiens on Saturday.
Trust the Process
I understand this has become a broken record, and the Rangers keep saying ‘trust the process’. As much as that may annoy and anger several, it’s true. What’s also true is that while several individuals who finish successfully are way below their current level, others are not yet at their ability to finish. What that means is commenting that the team was goalied is as accurate as stating that the lack of a collective ability to finish makes that the norm and not the exception.
Here is the ignominious scoring list:
•Artemi Panarin: 0 goals, 2 assists
•J.T. Miller: 1 goal, 2 assists
•Mika Zibanejad: 1 goal, 0 assists
•Will Cuylle: 1 goal, 0 assists
•Alexis Lafrenière: 1 goal, 1 assist
•Conor Sheary: 0 goals, 1 assist
The question becomes, when does saying the team was goalie-d lose impact? Six games into the season, many are sick of the term already. What is important is that the structure the team has displayed must remain in place, and the players can’t cheat to score. The benefits of doing so will hopefully come down the line.
Game Winning Goal
Due to the team’s inability to score, every mistake is magnified. Mika Zibanejad’s turnover off a failed shot led to the 3-on-1 break and tally by Auston Matthews. On the play, Adam Fox’s snow angel took him out of the play by the goal line, creating the open space for the pass to Matthews. In addition, Artemi Panarin, at the latter end of a shift, cruised late into the defensive zone, giving Toronto additional time. Bread has been skewered and vilified for the lack of hustle and backchecking. But I will say that watching the game, he was engaged defensively throughout and should have gone right to the front of the net, which would have removed the passing angle
Lines for Saturday
The practice lines on Friday were how the Rangers ended the game on Thursday. Coach Mike Sullivan juggled the top two lines in an attempt to kickstart the offense with Vincent Trocheck on LTIR. Sullivan swapped Will Cuylle and Alexis Lafrenière in the second period. Cuylle moved to the right wing to play with Panarin and Zibanejad, and Lafrenière played with JT Miller and Cuylle. The underlying numbers for both lines were good, but as noted above – and like the last several games – no production ensued. The fourth line, which has been the momentum changer or keeper when positive, rightfully remains intact.
Will Borgen was given a maintenance day today for practice, but Sullivan said he anticipates the defenseman being good to go tomorrow vs. the Habs. Connor Mackey was assigned back to Hartford ahead of the Wolf Pack’s home opener tonight. Scott Morrow is still with the team, with Carson Soucy sidelined. Urho Vaakanainen had the smallest ice time amongst the blueliners yesterday, and seeing how Braden Schneider is not really suited to man PP2 QB, so maybe we see Morrow in the lineup tomorrow.
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