New York Rangers stunned by the league-worst Chicago Blackhawks, prompting questions about consistency and strategy after the defeat.
The New York Rangers were the best in the NHL last season. Today, they sit in the middle of the pack at 27 games in with eight losses in their past 10.
The Rangers, however, lost for the second day in a row—three days after sending captain Jacob Trouba to the Anaheim Ducks—with a 2-1 decision to the league-worst Chicago Blackhawks at Madison Square Garden. The team on its last legs this time heard boos more than once from the crowd where the Rangers have lost eight of their 15 games this season.
“The execution was off all night. Could be fatigue. Could be mental. Could be anything, Regardless, it’s unacceptable. We’ve got to be better than that. You’re not going to win hockey games if you can’t execute.” : Rangers coach Peter Laviolette said after the Blackhawks skated off with just their ninth victory in 28 games.
It was New York’s second game in a row to lose to a backup goaltender after losing 7-5 Sunday to Philipp Grubauer and the Seattle Kraken after they blew a 3-1 lead in the game.
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It was the second consecutive game that New York lost to a backup goaltender, following a 7-5 defeat Sunday to Philipp Grubauer of Seattle in a game the Rangers took a 3-1 lead.
The Rangers were 12-4-1 to start but are 2-8-0 since a 4-3 victory at Vancouver on Nov. 19. So, Trouba was sent off, creating cap space but ending up without a true force on defense.
Star New York Rangers goaltender Igor Shesterkin — whose eight-year, $92 million contract extension was announced on Saturday — is 9-10-1 with six losses in his last seven decisions.
Laviolette said that his team’s leadership group—now minus Trouba—will have to step up for the Rangers to rise in the standings. For 33-year-old winger Chris Kreider, New York’s oldest Ranger player, the answer might be arriving with the right attitude and staying the course.
New York heads out to Buffalo on Wednesday then gets back home to play the visiting Los Angeles Kings on Saturday.
Image Credit: Brad Penner-Imagn Images
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