Doing this from 35,000 feet, so hopefully the altitude isn't affecting my ability to think and wrote clearly. :)

Once again the Rangers could live with success. For the second time coming off a good effort and solid win, the team spit the bit regressing to am embarrassing level in a loss. In the third game of the season, coming off a win off of LA, the Blueshirts were annihilated by both San Jose and Anaheim. On Saturday, following a 2-0 win over the Capitals, the effort and execution were lacking in the 4-0 to a previously winless Devils' squad.

Game Lowlights:


There were mistakes seemingly on every single goal in the loss, which for those who have followed this year all year comes as no surprise. What is surprisingly is that appears to be no learning from game to game or even from shift to shift. It's almost impossible to find a positive from Saturday's loss, not from the coaching, or system or players from inside out or outside in.

One of the biggest culprit on Saturday was Henrik Lundqvist. There's no question that his defense and offense didn't help him, but Hank needs to be better to give the team a shot to win, especially when the offense isn't there. On the first goal, while Jesper Fast lost his man- gee, where have we heard that so before, Lundqvist have up a juicy rebound leading to the goal. On the second, Hank took a bad angel but still has to stop that shot by Henrique short side. Maybe I will give him a pass on the third goal, but on the fourth, once again, bad rebound goal leading to a goal.

It's funny how all the talk was that Lundqvist was cutting off negotiations because they would be a distraction. You have to wonder given how poorly he has played overall, if the lack of a contract or negotiations isn't weighing on his mind more than if they were talking and negotiating. Of course, that may be a simplistic view and it's just a case of poor play on his part.

I would love to blame the system, and maybe that's partially causing the problems, but that too is an easy excuse. Does the system tell you to leave you man and allow him to beat you to a spot for a rebound or pass? Does the system tell you not to communicate? Is it forcing you to play poorly? Girardi and McDonagh have both been at best less than optimal, and at worse, downright lousy. AV scratched Michael Del Zotto because the six defensemen played well against Washington. On Saturday, maybe Stralman played well and that's it. For all those who hate MDZ, and I admit he didn't play well in the first five games of the year, he should get another shot Thursday against Philly.

Offensively, it's been offensive. Other than Richards, has anyone played well enough not to be a healthy scratch? Stepan showed some signs against Washington, but he was lousy Saturday. Pouliot continues to take bad penalties and showed why he was allowed to walk by other teams as he has no hands. For some inexplicable reason, Pyatt was third amongst forwards with 18:40 TOI on Saturday. Granted AV has some affinity for him and they moved him up to play with Richards and Brassard because he has some size, but I mean really. He is a third line player at best, but we can say that about much of the team right now. Fast is nowhere near ready for this level. Boyle has done little while he has been on the ice. Zuccarello seems to have been marginalized in a system I thought would benefit him. D. Moore had a stupid face off violation, resulting in a penalty and goal.

Powe was called up for his PK ability and yet sat on the PK for Fast. Then they send him down today, which it get somewhat but what has Fast down to warrant staying up? Miller hasn't been up long enough to have a view on him yet. Finally, they made a move today that made sense, which I will get to in a bit.

On the coaching. AV is in danger of being Bryan Trottier territory soon. If they lose to Philly and Montreal and come home 2-7, then fall in the home opener, the calls for his head will get louder and louder. I am willing to give him a mild pass, as I said I wouldn't overreact until 10 games past, but it's getting harder and harder not too do so. When the same stupid mistakes happen. When the is a lack of emotion and compete level on the ice. When you don't have your team up to face a division rival, who is winless, at home and desperate for a win. When you team has 11 goals and 29 against in seven games. When you see Ottawa lose their Norris Trophy D man, starting first line center and goalie, yet find a way to circle the wagons, play a defensive style and win, yet you can't or won't do that. When the rumors of you not playing youngsters appears to have more legs and truth than first thought. When the speculation about a deal arising due to reportedly needing a culture change, yet the old culture was a winning one, where the team had a blue collar, grinding, hard working, never say die attitude and this one just turtles, it's hard to see the direction they are going on other than down. Find a way to restore the heart and passion. Find a way to get the team to play with the edge that had last year. Use Dorsett to raise holy hell. Get rid of the stay puff marshmallow mentality that has permeated this squad. If not, there's the door!!!!

Finally, the Rangers called up Chris Kreider. Maybe he didn't deserve the spot to start the year, but he has done what he needs in the minors to earn the promotion. Now, out him on a line where he can score. Not a third line, but in place of Pyatt on the top or on the second with Stepan. Keep Miller in a top-six role rather than possibly shifting Pyatt down there or Pouliotup so we can see what Miller has. If not, call up Kristo and give him a shot. Insert Mashinter, who came up with Kreider, and play him with Moore and Dorsett to create a line willing to take the body and cause havoc. If this doesn't work, call up Haley and sit Boyle or Pyatt. You need to find a way to survive until Hagelin and then Callahan and then Nash, whenever that may be, returns,

Right now, I am embarrassed to be a Rangers fan. Embarrassed by the lack of heart, embarrassed by the lack of what looks to be a viable system or communication on ice. I don't care they are shorthanded. So were the Devils last night, and as I pointed out above, so was Ottawa last year. Find a way to get it done, shake things up. Show some emotion. Rip the team in public to try and shake them out of their lethargy. Where's the leadership? Where's the heart on their sleeve mentality? Was it all lost with Callahan going out? Yes, last year they were hard to watch in the playoffs and the product wasn't always fun, but if I asked you to a man or woman, which would you rather have, what we saw last year that gave them a shot to win or this garbage, what would you say? I understand the players and maybe management needed a fresh voice, but is this what you wanted?

The season is seven games, yet it seems much longer and worse than that. There is a long way to go and I refuse to tally give up the ship, but AV has a lot of work to do to gain my support. Wake up and get it done or else, get out.

Also, fare thee well Martin Biron. It didn't end well for you, but you had a solid career and was a good mentor for Henrik Lundqvist. Good luck in the future.

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