Blue Line Station
Fansided

New York Rangers looking to end losing habit against slumping Caps

By Andrew Steele-Davis

NEW YORK, NEW YORK - NOVEMBER 20: Pavel Buchnevich #89 of the New York Rangers controls the puck during their game against the Washington Capitals at Madison Square Garden on November 20, 2019 in New York City. (Photo by Emilee Chinn/Getty Images)
NEW YORK, NEW YORK - NOVEMBER 20: Pavel Buchnevich #89 of the New York Rangers controls the puck during their game against the Washington Capitals at Madison Square Garden on November 20, 2019 in New York City. (Photo by Emilee Chinn/Getty Images) /
facebooktwitterreddit
Prev
2 of 4
Next
NEW YORK, NEW YORK – MARCH 03: Mika Zibanejad #93 of the New York Rangers celebrates his goal against Jordan Binnington #50 of the St. Louis Blues during their game at Madison Square Garden on March 03, 2020 in New York City. (Photo by Al Bello/Getty Images)
NEW YORK, NEW YORK – MARCH 03: Mika Zibanejad #93 of the New York Rangers celebrates his goal against Jordan Binnington #50 of the St. Louis Blues during their game at Madison Square Garden on March 03, 2020 in New York City. (Photo by Al Bello/Getty Images) /

About The Rangers

What a difference a week makes in hockey.

This time last week we were all riding the crest of a wave that was built on a superb run of nine wins from 10 for the New York Rangers.

However, all of that excitement and hope for the postseason was washed away in a matter of a few cruel days.

First, Chris Kreider fractured his foot on Friday after blocking a shot and his absence led to two costly losses to the Philadelphia Flyers.

The Blueshirts then dropped a third straight to the St. Louis Blues on Tuesday night, and they will now be without Kreider for up to six weeks.

It is clear that losing Kreider, who was playing the best hockey of his career, has had a profound effect on this young team.

However, life must go on and the Rangers still have a fighting chance of making the postseason and giving some of their young studs an invaluable first taste of playoff hockey.

In order to do that, though, they need to snap out of their current slump, starting with tonight’s huge showdown with the Washington Capitals.

Currently five points behind the resilient Columbus Blue Jackets who simply refuse to give up, the Rangers have played two games less so, as a result, they still control their own destiny.

They are running out of rope, however, and the character and heart that was shown as recent as a week ago will need to rise to the surface again tonight.

Washington played last night in a physical match-up with the surging Philadelphia Flyers, so the Blueshirts will need to take advantage and use their fresher legs to heap more misery on the Capitals.

Alexandar Georgiev got the start against the St. Louis Blues on Tuesday and will go again tonight.  The good news is Igor Shesterkin took a full practice today and is now listed as day-to-day.

The New York Rangers will also need to try and figure out a way of plugging the gaping hole left by Chris Kreider’s absence after going two straight games without an even-strength goal, and maybe Kaapo Kakko could be the answer as we outlined here.

Home/Analysis