Some (Extremely) Worrying Stats From The Rangers 5-2 Loss To The Blues

Game At A Glance

The Rangers hosted the 9-12-1 St. Louis Blues on Monday night at Madison Square Garden on a day drenched in drama, with rumors flying in every direction that the Blueshirts may be listening to trade offers for Jacob Trouba and Chris Kreider. The Rangers got off to a good start with Will Cuylle scoring his eighth goal of the season, but would concede an equalizer before the end of the first period, and never regain the lead, eventually losing 5-2.

Proper Context

Every team has a bad night. It's an unavoidable truth that every sports fan has to make their peace with. This was not just a bad night, however. The Rangers have been slipping as of late in every category and it's becoming impossible to ignore. In their last three games, including their loss to the Blues, the Rangers have been outshot 132-92, outscored 14-6, and have a record of 0-3-0.

These numbers are worrying to say the least. It seemed the Blueshirts had a chance to make a statement going into Monday night. The Rangers were back at MSG, in front of a home crowd, and looking to get back in the win column.

Monday Night Blues

On a night when Rangers fans needed something to cheer for, the Blueshirts were outplayed in almost every facet of the game. St. Louis won the shot battle in every period, out-hit the Rangers, blocked more shots, and exploited weaknesses in the Rangers defensive game.

Mika Zibanejad continued his disastrous start to the season, earning a plus-minus rating of minus-three on the night, and being on the ice for four goals against. The stats speak for themselves this season when it comes to Zibanejad's play, with the forward tallying just four goals so far, and earning a rating of -13.

Another Rangers leader drawing the ire of fans is Captain Jacob Trouba, who was a minus-two against the Blues, and who has been heavily criticized for sloppy and lazy plays in his own zone.

As if Rangers fans needed any other stats to stare at in anger, New York's power play was ineffectual as well, going 0 for 3 on the night. This continues another negative trend of the Rangers, as over the past three games, the Blueshirts have gone 0 for 7 on the power play.

A Silver Lining

The only positive takeaway for Rangers fans Monday night was that 22-year-old Will Cuylle tallied his eighth and ninth goals of the season, with Brett Berard registering his first NHL point in the form of an assist on Cuylle's second goal. With many of the star players going quiet as of late, it provides a sliver of hope to see the youth movement contributing for New York.