Despite the win, the Rangers had severe defensive breakdowns against the Wild

The disaster of the New York Rangers defense was on total display against the Minnesota Wild. When the Blueshirts conceded against the Minnesota Wild, they made sure it was a horrific display, completely isolating their star goaltender tonight. It was one of the most infuriating games I've seen the Rangers play because there were times when they played defense like a regular team, and there were times when the six defensemen decided they were going on strike.

Ultimately, the Blueshirts managed to get over the line, but it was not due to their efforts. They came close to blowing this game several times throughout the day. Starting with the Nyquist powerplay goal to open the game, two Wild players were utterly alone with Shesterkin. That should never be the case; someone must always defend the front of the net, especially on a penalty kill like the Rangers did. That's a fatal flaw long-term.

As for the second goal, the five guys on the ice jumped to the other side. They were on the far boards playing tag while Brock Faber was left alone to fire in from the point, and a clean look on Igor Shesterkin is always a difficult save for the Russian. Would you like him to make a save? Yeah, of course, but this is a situation where you cannot expect Igor to bail out the Rangers' ineptitude defensively.

The third goal was short-handed, and that was just comically poor. The Rangers turned the puck over in the neutral zone and then scrambled to get back like newborn turtles. They're following the moon but getting lost on the way, and it's just poor for everyone involved. From the coaching staff, players, management, and even ownership, that cannot be accepted with this franchise looking to return to the postseason.

The fourth Wild goal was the worst. The Rangers turned the puck over in their zone and let the Wild develop a 2-on-0. How do you create a 2-on-0 in your zone, even if you turn it over? Marcus Johansson has the cheapest real estate in Manhattan, right next to Igor Shesterkin, and the Rangers don't defend well. It's such an annoyance. It's these boneheaded mistakes that will end up costing this team a shot at the Stanley Cup Playoffs.