Rangers Fall to Winless Sharks

The New York Rangers played with fire and were burned in their 6-5 overtime loss to the San Jose Sharks. Struggling to score, especially at home, New York sold out defensively to find offense. The net result was several defensive breakdowns, including twice in the last 10 seconds of the first and second period and on the overtime tally, resulting in six goals allowed and five posted on the board. New York now heads to Western Canada for their annual three-game road trip, starting Sunday in Calgary.

Coach Mike Sullivan:
Sullivan was seething during the game and wasn’t much better after the contest. He talked about the lack of accountability and defensive awareness. Sullivan noted that the team chased offense, leading to the large number of breakdowns. That breakdown included the game-losing tally, when JT Miller, who was brutal defensively most of the game, was outworked and outhusted by Macklin Celebrini to the puck. Celebrini found a wide-open Will Smith for the marker that ended the game. 

Maybe going on the road and bonding will be good for the Rangers, who currently have a fanbase on the verge of mutiny and apathy due to their play to date. New York is finding new ways to lose almost nightly. Could GM Chris Drury be forced to issue another “letter” which would be vastly better than a “memo.”

Matt Rempe:
Rempe had earned additional ice time due to his fine play. The two keys for him were to not make any stupid plays that would get him suspended and/or get injured. Unfortunately, both happened yesterday. The “stupid” part started when he engaged with San Jose’s Ryan Reaves in pre-game all but ensuring a fight would ensue.

During the fight, Rempe looked to have injured his hand, possibly when he hit it on Reaves’ helmet. The other possibility is he was injured when Reaves hit him in the head. Either way, he did not play the rest of the contest and today, New York promoted Brennan Othmann. A curious move, as Brett Berard might have been the better choice if they are looking for a bottom six player.

Brennan Othmann:
Othmann’s promotion is a clear sign that Rempe might not play, though that does not mean he will dress. New York could opt to re-insert Jonny Brodzinski in the lineup over Othmann. In addition, if they do opt to go with Othmann, who has been the subject of trade rumors the past week or so, playing him on the third or fourth line is a waste. The only way Othmann on the third line makes sense is if he skated with Noah Laba and another forward who can score.