Reflecting on a bad shootout loss to the Sabres

There were a couple positives that came out of the New York Rangers shootout loss to the Buffalo Sabres.  They did salvage a badly needed point so their slim playoff hopes remain alive.  Vitali Kravtsov’s debut exceeded expectations.  He played well in 12 minutes of even strength ice time and came inches from being the hero and scoring the game winning goal.  Unfortunately, it was a disappointment and now the Rangers go home to face the red hot Penguins and the Islanders, two of the top three teams in the East.

David Quinn rolled four lines for most of the game, including the overtime.  It was a radical departure to past practices including the overtime just two days before.   We shall see if this will continue or if he will revert to relying heavily on the top six as he has most recently.

The negatives?

1. The Rangers lost a game to the team with the worst record in the NHL.
2. They blew another third period lead. That’s 10 this season and they didn’t lose them all, but they did lose eight points.  They get all of those points and they are five points out of first place.
3. They have now lost five games of 18 games that they went into the third period with the lead.  The last time they had more was in 2009-10 and that was in 38 games.   The Rangers vaunted ability to protect a lead in the third period has disappeared.
4. The first line is slumping again.  The last time Mika Zibanejad scored a goal in regulation against a team without a Flyer’s logo was on March 20.  Take out the Flyers games and he has scored one even strength goal in his last 11 games. Chris Kreider has scored one even strength goal in his last 16 games.  Pavel Buchnevich has one point in five games.
5. Casey Mittelstadt was the third star of the game, scoring the first Sabres goal in the second period.   He has three goals and eight points in 22 games.  Why is this a negative for the Rangers?  At 22 years old, he is finally starting to show some of the promise that made him the eighth overall pick in the 2017 NHL Entry Draft, picked one slot after Lias Andersson.
6. The Rangers wasted another solid performance by Igor Shesterkin.  He stopped 27 of 29 shots.  In eight of his 10 losses this season, the Rangers have scored two goals or less.
7. Shesterkin is still looking for his first NHL shutout and he has participated in two shootouts in his career and lost them both.
8. The Rangers have had two three-game winning streaks this season.  This loss was a blown chance to get another one.
9. The Bruins won as did the Islanders.  Even Philadelphia gained a point, losing in a shootout. So  they lost a point to Boston, the team they need to beat and they stayed even with the Flyers, the team they need to pass.

There’s not much more to say about this game. Artemi Panarin scored two outrageous goals, shooting instead of passing (that’s a positive).  Vitali Kravtsvo made a solid defense backcheck on Mittelstadt and forced Linus Ullmark to make a fabulous stop  on a diving shot by Kravtsov from the slot.

Kravtsov played 10:45 minutes, fewest of any Ranger and all at even strength and was credited with three shots on goal.  He didn’t do anything to warrant not playing on Tuesday against the Penguins.

Adam Fox added two more assists and now has 29 assists on the season. That’s the seventh most among all NHL players and he is tied for lead among blueliners with Victor Hedman.  With the two points he strengthened his case for Norris Trophy consideration.

Ryan Strome’s points and assists streaks ended so he will reside in the record books tied with Rod Gilbert for the most consecutive games with assists by a forward at 10.

Here’s a video recap of the game:

East Division

Not a good day for the playoff picture.  Philadelphia remains tied with the Rangers though they’ve played one fewer game. The Bruins halted the Penguins five game winning streak, just in time for the Pens to come to New York.   If anyone thinks the Boston Bruins are in any kind of slump, they are 5-2-2 in their last nine games.

Saturday’s games

Sabres 3, Rangers 2 (shootout)
Bruins 7, Penguins 5
Islanders 3, Flyers 2 (shootout)

Sunday’s game

Capitals @ Devils

Standings

1-  Washington   37    24-9-4      52 points
2- Islanders          38   24-10-4    52 points
3- Pittsburgh       38   24-12-2    50 points
4- Boston             34   19-10-5     43 points
5- Philadelphia    36   17-14-5     39 points
6- Rangers            37   17-15-5    39 points
7- New Jersey       35  13-16-6    32 points
8- Buffalo               37    8-23-6     22 points

What’s next

The Rangers are off for two days, the last time that they will have two consecutive days off this season.   They play 19 games in 33 days beginning on Tuesday.  They host the Penguins for two games, play two games at Nassau Coliseum and then have four straight games against the Devils.  The need to sweep the Penguins and Devils and split with the Islanders if they want to get into serious playoff contention.