Wanna blog? Start your own hockey blog with My HockeyBuzz. Register for free today!
 

Rangers blow 3-0, 4-3, leads, lose 5-4 in OT to DAL, Rempe, Winter Classic
January 9, 2025, 2:02 AM ET [11 Comments]
Jan Levine
New York Rangers Blogger • RSS • Archive • CONTACT
The Rangers could not live with success, blowing a pair of leads in falling 5-4 in overtime to the Stars. In the loss, where defensive mistakes were evident all too frequently again, Filip Chytil missed the third period with what is being termed an "upper-body injury" (where have we heard that before?). Matt Rempe spoke to the media today and said all the right things, now put them into action. The Rangers will be in their sixth winter game but the first outside the general NY-NJ-PA vicinity.

Game recap:




A few thoughts:
1) Positives from the game have to be the pair of goals scored by Alexis Lafreniere and Vincent Trocheck. Laffy was in the midst of a 13-game drought while Trocheck has seen his scoring pace decline a bit. Their linemate, Artmei Panarin, assisted on each of the first three goals scored by New York. He too has seen his scoring dry up, as he has just one tally in his last 12 contests. That line was dominant in the first period.

2) The defense continues to be a killer. It's easy to blame the blueline, and trust me I do, as they have regressed mightily. But the forwards are at fault as well. As I have said a few times, the man-to-man system does not work. They need to go to a zone or a hybrid match up approach, because right now, they stink in their own zone.

Whether it's Phil Housley coaching the defensemen or the D talent as a whole, something is off. But the entire blue line has regressed the last few seasons. That has been evident throughout the season. The slot is always open. Defenemen not communicating and covering the same player. Wingers are too high, failing to mark their men or their assigned space. Plus the same errors keep happening over and over.

K'Andre Miller yesterday continued his subpar play. First, he was soft on the backhand goal by Jason Robertson. Then, he had an absolutely brutal turnover that resulted in the tying goal with the Rangers up 4-3 and less than three minutes to go. Vincent Trochek said he was in the wrong place, and yes, he did need to be in the high slot to cover Thomas Harley. Coach Peter Laviolette noted there were a number of errors on the play, which is why Miller was not benched. But it all started with an unforgivable and unnecessary turnover. He should have been stapled to the bench and this is not the first time where Miller was not made an example of where it was deserved.



3) This is Chytil's last shift yesterday. It's likely Chytil suffered whatever injury he has prior to that. Any time we hear upper body and Chytil, panic sets in and rightfully so. For now, we sit and wait. Figure Jonny Brodzinski centers the third line and Arthur Kaliyev ends up in the lineup for his Rangers' debut. I thought it might be Matt Rempe, who is back from suspension, but initial signs are no.



4) Elliotte Friedman's 32 Thoughts discussed the Rangers. Much of the focus was on the rumored Mika Zibanejad for J.T. Miller offer. He notes that the was likely broader and included Braden Scheider, at least from what Vancouver likely wanted. Schneider, like most of the blue liners, as noted above, has failed to take that next step. I can understand why the Canucks would want him, why the Rangers would not want to trade him and why the fan base would be okay with moving him. I still think he has top-four upside, though his play has been uneven. As Larry Brooks said, they need to try and bring in someone like Larry Robinson and hope he can improve the defensemen play and overall structure.

6. The Athletic’s Josh Yohe reported Vancouver turned down a Miller for Mika Zibanejad deal, and I believe he’s correct — with some semantics. (A few weeks ago, New York denied it, but all it takes is for someone like Yohe to shake it out, and information follows.)  

You’ll remember that when Miller took his mental health break, the Rangers, who covet the player, were in Vancouver. From what I understand, they approached the Canucks to discuss what something could look like, and Zibanejad was included in the conversation. I don’t know that Zibanejad, who has a no-move clause, was ever approached. I asked at the time and did not receive a clear answer. I also think it was actually a bigger deal, and one of the issues is that Vancouver adores Braden Schneider, who the Rangers do not want to trade. This would be the second time New York has rejected a Vancouver attempt for him.

7. The Rangers gave Zac Jones permission to talk to other teams. There’s interest, and he’s good enough to take advantage of a new opportunity. One caveat: since he’s not a big guy, teams with a smallish blue line are an unlikelier destination.

8. The most coveted Ranger is undoubtedly Vincent Trocheck. But they aren’t interested in doing that, and, listening to his comments lately, you could see them making him captain.


5) Rempe said all the right things today. But he has done so before. Actions speak louder than words. He has to clean up his game and avoid the questionable or illegal hits to remain in the lineup.



6) The Winter Classic will be the Rangers against the Panthers in loanDepot Park on January 2, 2026. selfishly, not happy the game will be on a Friday rather than on Thursday, New Year's Day. It's the first of six outdoor games that the Rangers are participating in that I can't attend. In addition, I understand that the NHL does not want to compete with college football, but having the game on New Year's Eve, as they did this year, or the day after New Year's Day makes no sense. The ratings have been down overall and this game is to be the marquee game for the league. not having it as the standalone game on New Year's Day somewhat defeats the purpose of the contest.





7) Prayers to John Giannone who announced on the broadcast on Hockey Fights Cancer night that he is battling prostate cancer:



Join the Discussion: » 11 Comments » Post New Comment
More from Jan Levine
» Rangers face Stars, Kaliyev claimed, lineup impact
» Rangers net easy 6-2 win over Blackhawks on Sunday
» Good vibes from Thursday's win vanish in 7-4 loss to the Capitals
» Rangers open 2025 with 2-1 win over the Bruins, ending losing streak
» Igor Shesterkin placed on IR as Rangers close out a brutal 2024