New York Rangers' last chance to make Stanley Cup playoffs was snuffed out in just under two minutes

The New York Rangers have little hope of making a playoff run this season. After a devastating 5-1 loss to the Tampa Bay Lightning, this game was decided in two minutes of the first period.

With around five minutes remaining in the first period, the Rangers and Lightning were still keeping this a very competitive affair. Both teams had some shots on the opposition's goaltender, and the puck was held at an even possession through the first 15 minutes of the opening frame. Then, the Lightning completely changed this game in just under two minutes.

To sum up the entirety of the 2024-25 Rangers campaign, just re-watch this game for the rest of the summer from 13:09 to 14:54 into the first period. It is a pretty clear distinction of how things have gone for the Blueshirts.

Confidence destroyed

The Lightning got on the board three times, with goals coming from Nikita Kucherov, Yanni Gourde, and Brayden Point. Rangers goaltender Igor Shesterkin, who has been shaky in his last three starts, laid another bad egg in Monday's game. The $11.5 million AAV man is starting to look like a bad investment, but that will likely fade soon. Rough patches happen, but these last four starts of having below a .850 save percentage are not a good sign.

If this were the 2023-24 Presidents' Trophy Rangers team, a 3-0 deficit wouldn't have been a death sentence. Especially if you look at the rest of the box score. The Rangers outshot the Lightning 39 to 23, annihilated them in the physicality department with 25 hits to just three from Tampa Bay. Not to mention, the Rangers also won 56.9% of the face-offs in this one.

So, what gives?

The Rangers confidence in themselves to come from behind and win meaningful hockey games is completely shattered. There is no drive, no passion, and no reason why this team should be even remotely considered a potential playoff team. This Rangers team, which is seemingly still the same core group from a season ago, could not be more opposite.

The Rangers failed the die-hard fans, Sam Rosen, and themselves. The fat lady has not sung on this team being eliminated from playoff contention, but even if they win the remaining five games, they still have to face Tampa Bay again on April 17, the last game of the season.

If not for that disastrous 120-second span in the first period, the argument might have swayed to this being a successful game. Instead, you have to scratch your head as to why this team, which came from behind the most last season with a 20-15-1 record when their opponent scored first, cannot find a way to grind from behind to win.