The Rangers lost at home to Ottawa for the second time this year, dropping a 3-0 decision to the Sens. While Craig Anderson played well, New York, for the most part, was unable to generate sustained pressure and once again, the third and fourth lines outplayed the top two groupings.

Yes, it's just one loss and I am not going to panic over it. But there are some trouble signs that needed to be corrected which existed during the five-game winning streak and likely were glossed over by the wins.

Play of the GAS line:
The moving of Stepan and Anisimov onto a line with Gaborik freed up Richards to move to the second line, creating two solid scoring combinations. Stepan and Anisimov both got off to hot starts, but each have slowed lately, especially AA, who has no points in his last nine games and his brain cramp led to the first goal yesterday. While Torts has been fairly patient about re-jiggering the groups, but given AA's struggles and lack of sustained and consistent production from that line lately, he may have no choice as seen in the shake up yesterday. As Midnight and others pointed out, Carl Hagelin might be a good fit to replace AA. (more on that later since it doesn't look that will be the case)

Overall offensive production:
This is obviously impacted by the GAS line above, but the Rangers offense has struggled recently as seen in tight contests against Florida, Phoenix and loss to Ottawa yesterday. Richards has been very up and down, and that may be due to he has played with, but think when Dubi is back and he is paired with him and Cally, there will be more consistency. When the bottom six is consistently outplaying the top-six, that's a problem. Especially when for all the pressure the bottom six has put on the opponent, there has not been any real tangible production. Boyle has hands of stone, Rupp will chip in very occasionally. (great blog by jimbo on Rupp: http://nyrnation.net/is-mike-rupp-this-teams-stephane-matteau/) and Mitchell are on the bottom six for a reason and the only ones who have some real offensive skills there are Feds and Hagelin. If there is an area where another scorer who has some grit might be acquired before the deadline, this is it.

Power Play
I likely could stop here one power play was stated and we all would know the deal. Just 3-for-38 with no movement, either player or pucks, no traffic in front and seemingly no approach. While the top two are concerning, this one impacts both of them as if the PP was working, one and two might look better. We all have indicated that someone needs to be brought in either at the point or provide traffic in front. The addition of Wolski yesterday did little to remedy the situation, and as crazy as this sounds, maybe EC after his conditioning stint in Connecticut will get a shot as it couldn't hurt since he does have some skill. That is not an ideal option, but there appears to be little on the current roster that can spark the PP, though maybe give Hagelin a shot, don't try everything up top, move a big body in front and have the players shift within the zone, rather than staying stationary?

The lines at practice Friday and possible combinations Saturday against Toronto if Dubi's shoulder keeps him out:
Wolski-Stepan-Gaborik; 
Prust-Richards-Callahan; 
Hagelin-Boyle-Mitchell; 
Anisimov-Rupp-Fedotenko

(Torts thought that Wolski had a good game, though I am not sure of that was the case as after a good first, Wolski didn't do much after that. Why Prust who can't finish on the second line? Why not move Hagelin up to the first line? Plus if the Feds-Boyle-Hags line was the best the past several games and not moving Hags up, why not keep it together? Can't argue with moving AA down but why not move Feds up to the second line and have Prust in the bottom six if going with that pairing especially given my previous question?)

Recommended lines by Midnight, which make a lot of sense, if everyone is healthy:
Hagelin-Stepan-Gaborik; 
Dubinsky-Richards-Callahan; 
Fedotenko-Boyle-Mitchell; 
Anisimov-Rupp-Prust

Thanks for all the great comments on the defense and possible moves and one would think that if the struggles continue, the Bobby Ryan rumors will really heat up.

It's odd to say Game 42 is key, but after the subpar performance Thursday, the questions I listed above, likely absence of Dubinsky and tough back-to-back, a win Saturday would go a long way to answering some of the questions and preventing self doubt to start to creep in. I would expect Hank to play Saturday and Biron on Sunday.

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