The Rangers lost 5-3 to the Blue Jackets on Saturday. After controlling the first nine minutes, New York lost control of the game. Columbus was aided by a pair of correctly overturned goals - not to mention one of their own - to tally four straight markers. Will Cuylle, who might have been the best Ranger in the game, and Chris Kreider late lit the lamp to make the final score look respectable.
A few thoughts:
1) Tweaked lineup - what stands out from above is the absence of Ryan Lindgren. After skating in the morning skate, Lindgren was scratched with what is believed to be a hand injury. He will be evaluated further when the team arrives home and has to be considered questionable for the home opener against Arizona on Monday.
We have spoken a lot about the importance of Lindgren and how the blue line looks without him. That was the case in the loss. Vince Mercogliano noted that the Rangers have played 116 games without Lindgren since his 2019 debut and only won 47 of them (47-52-17). Meanwhile, they're 149-82-27 when he does play. Laviolette said after the game that the lack Lindgren in the lineup was not why New York lost. The numbers and team performance show otherwise.
Erik Gustafsson, who was moved up to play with Adam Fox and kicked off the scoring with his first as a Ranger, was not the problem. The Zac Jones-Braden Schneider pairing was. If Jones wanted to use the contest to prove he deserves to play and as a showcase for others in case he is dealt, he sure missed a golden opportunity. Watching the highlights of the Columbus goals, you see lots of Jones and Schneider on the ice. Jones was brutal in the defeat, beaten to the inside all night while struggling to stop the Blue Jacket attack.
After allowing only six high-danger scoring chances in Buffalo, they surrendered 14 against the Jackets, according to Natural Stat Trick − including nine in the first period. Boone Jenner had several of those as he tallied a hat trick. In addition, the 1-3-1 forechecking system, so good against the Sabres, was strafed by the Blue Jackets throughout the game.
If Lindgren is out for any short period of time, Jones is likely to be inserted in the lineup. Maybe it was just a case of nerves, but if not, Jones will certainly need to step his game substantially since New York does not have the cap room to make any moves. They could try and pass Jones through waivers, but despite his struggles tonight, there is no way he doesn’t get claimed. Start hoping Lindgren is healthy.
2) Jimmy Vesey, a healthy scratch in game one, was in for Tyler Pitlick. The move was not made because Pitlick struggled in the win over Buffalo. Rather, Laviolette didn’t want Vesey to sit too long before he was back in the lineup. Playing Vesey over Pitlick didn’t have a material impact on the game. But I do expect Pitlick back in Monday against Arizona.
3) Cuylle was all over the ice tonight. He was so good, coach Peter Laviolette rightfully benched Blake Wheeler and stayed with Cuylle. What’s noticeable is his physical play and his continued motor when out on the ice. Cuylle took the body, went to the dirty areas and visible on almost every shift. Wheeler was not and deserved to ride the pine. Cuylle showed a quick release on the goal, picking a spot top shelf for his first NHL tally.
4) Inside position - Steve Valiquette had it right in his post-game comments. Columbus got inside position on the defenders, which resulted in him deflections and ultimately goals. After taking that 1-0 lead, New York looked a step slow and were out worked in their own zone. Offensively, they had 81 shot attempts but were unable to convert when truly needed. Many of the opportunities came from the outside, and when they got inside, they either missed the net or were stoned by the Blue Jackets’ netminders.
5) Positives - Besides Cuylle, the Rangers generated 42 shots on goal, 17 high-danger scoring chances and won 58% of their faceoffs. At least this is something to build on, especially the draws won, which was the second straight game New York was good between the dots. I thought Igor Shesterkin was okay, not great, but he was not the reason why they lost. The young blueliners and offense that was unable to convert were.
New York Rangers Blogger • 
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