The New York Rangers have completed their California road trip. Losing of two of three games, the team needs every point they can get from here on out.
The Rangers continue to prove they have no business playing playoff hockey this season. Their inconsistency will be their inevitable downfall and their inability to adjust will keep them down.
Their first game of the California trip was against the Los Angeles Kings. The Rangers managed to snatch defeat from the jaws of victory in a 4-2 loss. The game started out well enough, with David Desharnais and Jimmy Vesey scoring in the first period to gain a 2-0 lead. In the second period, the Rangers gave up three power play goals and the Kings took the lead. An empty-net goal in the third period sealed the deal for the Kings to win 4-2.
Their second game of the trip was against the Anaheim Ducks. In a first period where there were goals galore, Henrik Lundqvist was replaced by Ondrej Pavelec after allowing three of four first period goals. Michael Grabner scored his 21st goal of the year, giving the Rangers a glimmer of hope and making the score 4-3. However, the Ducks scored their second power play goal of the game and eventually added an empty-net goal for a 6-3 Rangers loss.
Against the San Jose Sharks, the Rangers were able to come away with a 6-5 win. The defense carried the offense, with captain Ryan McDonagh scoring his first and second goals of the year and Brady Skjei contributing a goal and an assist. Kevin Hayes scored the first goal of the game in his first game returning from injury. While the Sharks fought back, the Rangers managed to hold on and come away with two points.