Following a 2-1 loss at Madison Square Garden to the Chicago Blackhawks on Monday night, the New York Rangers are now 2-8-0 in their last 10 games. Despite finding wins against the Pittsburgh Penguins and Montreal Canadiens, the Blueshirts have been unable to build any sort of meaningful or consistent success.
After the Rangers Monday night loss, Blueshirts head coach Peter Laviolette commented on the atmosphere at Madison Square Garden.
#NYR head coach Peter Laviolette on hearing boos at MSG:
— Mollie Walker (@MollieeWalkerr) December 10, 2024
“It’s frustrating. I get it. Deservedly so. When your pace should be at a higher level and your execution should be at a higher level, I get it. It’s frustration.”
Though the entire team has been underperforming since mid-November, some specific players have drawn extra criticism and frustration from Rangers fans.
As last night's game dragged on, the vocal discontent from fans around the arena increased more and more. The Rangers went into the third period trailing 2-1 to a team with one of the worst goal differentials in the National Hockey League this season and it was expected that the Blueshirts would come out firing in the final frame.
The Garden faithful would be met with more disappointment in the third period, however, as the Rangers would manage just seven shots on goal, failing to find an equalizer.
The responsibility for this kind of sustained failure cannot be placed squarely on any one or two players, but it was clear Monday night that Rangers fans are out of patience when it comes to certain individuals in the lineup.
On the way out of Madison Square Garden, the names of K'Andre Miller, Mika Zibanejad, and Ryan Lindgren were all too common. Blueshirts fans were heard shouting, "Send Miller to Anaheim next!" and "Even Trouba hit the net more than Zibanejad."
Walking out of Madison Square Garden and hearing nothing but complaints about the play of Mika Zibanejad and K’Andre Miller. Rangers fans are fed up. #NYR
— Dan Godlewski (@Danthfc_) December 10, 2024
One Rangers fan commented after the game that "These guys are supposed to be cornerstones of the franchise but they've been terrible all year ... they look lost on every play."
Rangers General Manager and President Chris Drury has made it clear that he's not afraid of trading away big pieces, and if the Blueshirts continue to play the way they have the last few weeks, it's likely New York will see other players on their way out the door.