The New York Rangers continue to be in limbo. They ended last week with back-to-back wins against the Los Angeles Kings and the Boston Bruins, started this week with a win against the Anaheim Ducks and then lost against the New Jersey Devils and the Toronto Maple Leafs.
The Rangers kicked off this week with a win over the Anaheim Ducks. Next, they played an extremely sloppy game Thursday night, resulting in a shootout loss against the New Jersey Devils. Then last night, they lost again, this time in regulation to the Toronto Maple Leafs.
Against the Ducks, Paul Carey and the rest of the fourth line carried the offense in a 4-1 win. After a sloppy first period, the Rangers continued to look better as the game went on. This momentum, unfortunately, did not follow into their game against the Devils.
Against the Devils, the Rangers played an atrocious defensive game and were lucky to come away with a point. Goalie Henrik Lundqvist put on a godly performance and was the only reason the game made it to a shootout. Most of the time when the Rangers are able to squeak away with a win despite their shortcomings it’s because of their goalie. However, a goalie can’t always steal a win, which the Rangers are now coming to realize.
Against the Leafs, the Rangers once again played a soft game. Looking lost for most of it, they finally began to turn on the jets come the end of the third period. They scored two quick goals to tie the game, but ultimately their tying goal was called back. After this, the Rangers lost all momentum and lost in regulation even after yet another stellar performance by Henrik Lundqvist.