Friday, March 15, 2013

Rangers Struggles Continue: Fall to Jets 3-1



Winnipeg- Just what the Rangers were trying to avoid, is exactly what happened to them last night.  Going into last night's match-up with the Winnipeg Jets, almost everyone around the Rangers organization touted this game as a "Big One" - They lost 3-1.  What more can be said at this point?  This does not resemble the same team in anyway that made it to the Eastern Conference Finals last year.

Playing in one of the toughest away rinks in the entire league, the Rangers needed to take the crowd out of the game within the first 5 minutes.  That plan didn't work out so well as the Jets took a 1-0 lead just 1:58 into the first period.  The Rangers were on their heels a majority of the opening frame.  Marian Gaborik was stopped on a penalty shot, and showed some rare emotion smashing his stick into pieces as he got back to the bench.  Maybe the pressure is getting to him, maybe the frustration of being benched and moved from wing to wing is starting to boil over; whatever it is, that is the most animated I have seen Gabby in his 4 years as a Ranger.

The Rangers managed to tie it up when Captain Cally put home his 9th of the season at the start of the second period.  They seemed to find their legs a bit in the second, but we unable to capitalize on some good opportunities out-shooting the Jets 11-9 in the period.  Even though the Rangers out shot them, they never really generated any "Grade-A" scoring chances.  The Jets regained the lead on a deflection late in the period putting the Rangers down 2-1.

Lundqvist made some great saves to keep the Rangers in the game, but there has been an on going trend of the Defenseman letting the opposing forwards get goal-side position on them opening up some great opportunities 1-on-1 in front with Henrik (better illustrated by Adam Rotter of SNY):








It all seems to go back to the fact that there has been an overall lack of focus from this team virtually all season long.  The Jets eventually iced the game with an empty netter in the dying seconds to close it out 3-1.  It seems as though this young Rangers team is really starting to feel the pressure of what being considered a "contender" feels like.

It is almost as if they are not 100% emotionally involved in the game, they'll give you anywhere from 30-60 minutes of real effort on any given night- That is something that needs to change.  In order to find consistency in their game, start by getting back to that identity they've developed the last couple of years of being the hardest working team on a night in and night out basis.  They've got to stop gripping their sticks too tight, loosen up out there, and the chances will come.

The players may not be responding to Tortorella's tactics too well at the moment, something the Winnipeg fans had all to much fun letting Rangers fans know.  The highlight of the game came when the MTS Center crowd began to get on Head Coach John Tortorella's case - "Tort-or-Rella" (Hey maybe some other people need to start putting some more of the pressure on him as well.): 















The Rangers are now sitting in 9th place, and are on the outside looking in at the Eastern Conference playoff picture.  With two straight losses and a game against the Pittsburgh Penguins (in Pitt) on Saturday, they better find some answers quick.  Back to back games follow on Monday (Home) & Tuesday (Jersey) - My guess is as good as any, but I wouldn't doubt Marty being back in net for the Devils for that one.  The good thing about this scheduling is the quick turnaround gives little time to dwell on bad losses like this.  It's gut check time for this team, let's see what they can do.


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