Blue Line Station
Fansided

A bad homecoming in 5-1 loss to Calgary

By Steve Paulus

Oct 25, 2021; New York, New York, USA; Calgary Flames center Blake Coleman (20) celebrates after scoring a goal against the New York Rangers during the third period at Madison Square Garden. Mandatory Credit: Danny Wild-USA TODAY Sports
Oct 25, 2021; New York, New York, USA; Calgary Flames center Blake Coleman (20) celebrates after scoring a goal against the New York Rangers during the third period at Madison Square Garden. Mandatory Credit: Danny Wild-USA TODAY Sports /
facebooktwitterreddit
Prev
1 of 3
Next
Oct 25, 2021; New York, New York, USA; Calgary Flames center Blake Coleman (20) celebrates after scoring a goal against the New York Rangers during the third period at Madison Square Garden. Mandatory Credit: Danny Wild-USA TODAY Sports
Oct 25, 2021; New York, New York, USA; Calgary Flames center Blake Coleman (20) celebrates after scoring a goal against the New York Rangers during the third period at Madison Square Garden. Mandatory Credit: Danny Wild-USA TODAY Sports /

You could see this one coming.  The dreaded first game back from a long road trip jinx struck yet again as the New York Rangers were thoroughly dominated by the Calgary Flames who were really, really good.  As one-sided as a 5-1 score is, it could have been worse if not for the heroics of Igor Shesterkin in the first period.

You want excuses?  We already provided the first home game after a road trip excuse.  What about the fact that with seven games, the Blueshirts have played the most games of any team in the league.  What about the fact that the Rangers along with the Maple Leafs, have had the most compressed schedule of any NHL team, playing seven games in only 13 days.  Not only that, while Toronto spent most of their time at home, the Rangers have played only two  home games and had a schedule that zigzagged from New York to Canada to Nashville and back to Canada.

Gerard Gallant was asked if the schedule was the reason for the poor showing and downplayed it,  “I hope so. I don’t like making excuses, but I sure hope so…with all of our  travel…”

He was specific when it came to the effort.  “We just made so many turnovers in the first period, trying to make cute plays instead of strong plays up the boards.  It really cost us.  We made a lot of turnovers and Shesty played unbelievable in that first period.  It really cost us the hockey game even though we got back in the third period.  That first period was a tough one to watch.”

The Rangers elevated their play in the second period, but couldn’t get the puck past Jacob Markstrom.  Their efforts were deflated when Patrik Nemeth made an unforced giveaway handing the puck to Andrew Mangiapane who was wide open in front of the Rangers’ net.

If anyone was hoping for another miracle comeback like we saw in Ottawa, hopes were raised when the Rangers got with a goal early in the third period.  Calgary squashed those hopes quickly, scoring just three minutes later and then piled on.  All in all, it was a pretty miserable effort.

Was it a warning sign?  We’ll know a lot more after two days of practice and a game against a pesky Metropolitan Division team in the Columbus Blue Jackets on Friday.

Here’s a full video recap of the game in only five minutes.  If you can bear watching.

Home/Analysis