After a disappointing 5-1 loss to the Columbus Blue Jackets, the Rangers have to go and reflect on a disappointing performance against a team that they really should have beaten on the night. This was a poor showing from a Rangers squad that is usually a lot better than this. All in all, it wasn’t an awful performance from the Rangers, but they still lost and there are a variety of reasons for it.
With the biggest reason being simple. Goaltending. Jaroslav Halak let in a couple of softies in this one and it really put the Rangers behind the eight-ball for the rest of the game. Columbus is a team that can hurt you without the added help. Giving them a leg up with a couple of low-danger chances going in is going to make this game incredibly difficult and the Rangers just could not get back into this game.
New York gave itself a chance after a conversion on a 5-on-3 powerplay at the end of the second period to get on the board, but that wasn’t enough to kickstart the Rangers’ efforts in this game. With the rest of the powerplay still looking good but unable to break through the Columbus defense, that’s just how some games are going to unfold. New York is going to lose games this year, every team is. This is just one of them.
If you want a positive to take away from this game, Artemi Panarin’s unassisted goal during the five-on-three keeps his point streak alive. He’s tallied in all six games to start the season. He’s the NHL’s leading point producer to this point with 12 points in six games. There’s a positive to take from the Rangers’ defeat at home to Columbus.
After defeat in this game, the Blueshirts fall just outside the playoff spots being a point behind the Toronto Maple Leafs for the final position in the playoffs. There is still a long way to go in the season and right now, these standings mean very little. A lot can change between game six and game 82 at the end of the year. It’s very unlikely the Rangers will be in this position come April, so it is important not to start panicking.
Next on the docket for the New York Rangers is another home game and the final game in this four-game home stand as the Colorado Avalanche come to visit Madison Square Garden. This game is at 8 pm Eastern on Tuesday, 25th of October. This is going to be a good test of what the New York Rangers are as the reigning Stanley Cup Champions will come into town looking to show their pedigree.