Why can’t the New York Rangers find their heart? Fans share their thoughts on another loss at Madison Square Garden

The New York Rangers missed a chance to progress in the wild card race when they lost to the Tampa Bay Lightning. Fans were disappointed and didn’t hold back on with their advice to the team. Have the Rangers lost their drive and their heart?

The Rangers are not in a good spot at all. This team has been consistently showing their fans that they have no heart. Tampa Bay destroyed the Rangers at MSG on Monday, and I, Hannah Eng, was in attendance and to hear Blueshirts fans boo their team the way they did was heartbreaking.

We got one goal, and one goal only. We had only one chance to sing our beloved goal song, and little did we know that the Lightning were about to strike us down. The players looked so discouraged. It felt like they had given up because the fans already had.

What happened to the legacy team that calls itself the New York Rangers? New York doesn’t love this losing streak when we are quite proud of this team. The score for the game was a whopping 5-1. Every time the puck entered the Rangers' net, a fan left. It wasn’t long until MSG looked scarce.

Only five games are left, and the hope is minuscule for this team. We are all hoping for a miracle because to have the Rangers in the playoffs would be iconic after their luckless season. It would prove that New York can rise to the top. It could be a fever dream, but it’s better to be positive. The Blueshirts still hold on to that third-place wildcard spot with a frozen 79 points. The worst thing about it is if the Rangers' progress stays muted for the last games of the season, they still have to play the Lightning for their final game. If it’s anything like the game I saw, they are game for a rude awakening and a terrible end to their season. 

After another horrible loss, I interviewed Rangers fans outside MSG. Let’s just say they didn’t hold back, and shouldn’t. They are mad, embarrassed, and frankly, quite hurt after seeing a performance like that. 

The first question was, “There were three back-to-back goals in the first frame. What do you think the Rangers did wrong, and what was your reaction?”

"What went wrong for the Rangers? So many things. For big parts of the season, coming into this game, they are already coming off a loss … As soon as somebody else scores, we lose heart … It’s really upsetting to see your team … just lose that heart."

David, NY Ranger Fan

"You just see these goals keep on passing by … Once you see the Rangers get scored on, you know another one is coming soon."

David, NY Ranger Fan

"I felt like I was watching a bunch of toddlers skating around blindfolded"

NY Ranger Fan

"Shesterkin deserves a better team."

NY Ranger Fan

The second question was, “If you could go to the Rangers locker room after the game, what advice would you give them?”

"I don’t know what to say."

Miko, NY Ranger fan

"The defense could be stronger."

NY Ranger fan

"Guys, you are in the hunt for the wildcard. Keep playing as hard as you can."

NY Ranger fan

"Win it. Do it."

NY Ranger fan

"Don’t look back; Look forward!"

NY Ranger fan

"Sometimes you lose, but next time you win. That’s really important."

NY Ranger fan

I don't know how the Rangers will get out of this hole. Their season is almost over, and it feels like it has died before it has even finished. The Rangers are disintegrating, and if they do not start playing well they can all but kiss their playoff hopes goodbye for this year.

The Rangers are back in action tonight at 7:30pm in a game that will be aired on TNT with Sam Rosen and John Davidson reuniting in the booth for one final game.

The Rangers will be battling the Philadelphia Flyers at home, a team currently at bottom of the standings at 10th in the wild card race. The Rangers should have the leg up with the game being at home, but they will need more than that to secure a win. They will need to play good hockey. And from what I have seen, there isn’t much of that to be found. Time will tell if they want to win or not. Can they wake up and shake out of this cursed losing streak? It’s time to thaw out the real New York Rangers; we are waiting.