The Rangers were better but not good enough last night to defeat the Hurricanes. Up 3-2 heading into the third, New York allowed a somewhat soft goal nearly midway through the frame to tie the game. Then, the normally reliable penalty kill surrendered its second tally of the contest resulting in a 4-3 loss. The Blueshirts try to end their four-game skid Friday in Philly.
A few thoughts:
1) Positives: while the loss is disappointing, some positives were seen in the game. Granted, that's like a morale victory, but components from the loss were signs that can hopefully be carried forward.
Effort - way more engaged, way more physical, much better compete level. I didn't watch this game screaming at the TV for them to hustle and show some heart and passion.
The young core: Brett Berard scored the first of his NHL career. Adam Edstrom had a beautiful goal. The lines seemed better balanced, even without Chris Kreider and Filip Chytil, though I will get to the flip side below.
Shot limitation: As Vince Mercogliano wrote, the Rangers (12-8-1) limited the volume-shooting Hurricanes to 30 shots, marking the first time during this losing streak that they’ve allowed fewer than 40. But the end result was the same and some of those shots were in high danger locations.
2) Negatives: obviously first and foremost is the loss. It's great that positives can be taken forward, which hopefully have the end result desired in the future. But the end result was the fourth loss in a row and a blown third period lead.
Panarin - Trocheck - Lafreniere - honestly, that trio was mostly invisible last night. The line was held off the scoresheet and didn't do much throughout the contest.
Poor third period - Carolina dominated action with little push back from New York. The Canes ended up with a 6-0 advantage in high-danger scoring chances for the final 20 minutes, according to Natural Stat Trick, finishing with both goals in the framE.
K'Andre Miller-Jacob Trouba - their season long poor performance was on display again yesterday. Reunited because Ryan Lindgren and Trouba were not working as a duo, this pairing stunk. As Mercogliano noted, Miller and Trouba finished with a minus-two rating in Raleigh and have now been outscored by a 9-0 margin this season. The Canes outshot the Rangers, 11-2, while they were together and generated eight HD scoring chances to none.
The first goal allowed was fluky and not their fault, as Jack Drury's shot hit off Igor Shesterkin's mask and went in. On the second and game-tying tally, Trouba was soft behind the net while Miller was beaten to the puck by Jesperi Kotkanieni, whose wraparound was not played particularly well by Igor.
Shesterkin - solid at times, average at others. I wouldn't be shocked if we see Jonathan Quick on Friday. The team is reeling and needs Igor to make the key save at the key moment, just for confidence purposes. He has failed to do so during this losing streak and stretch of so-so play.
Special teams - power play went 0-for-2 while penalty kill was just 2-for-4. I thought the first PP unit was fine but the second seemed to have more juice and deserved more ice time.
Reward those who deserve it - late in the game, with Igor pulled, coach Peter Laviolette went with the usual big names. He should have played those who deserved the additional ice time. Berard, Edstrom and Will Cuylle belonged on the ice as they helped create throughout the contest.
New York Rangers Blogger • 
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