The Rangers collapsed in the third period, allowing six goals, two of which went into an empty net, to fall 8-5 to the Flyers. A repeat of the same mistakes we have seen all season long were on display once again. The only saving grace was the pairing of Sam Rosen and John Davidson in the booth for TNT, bringing back the soundtrack that many of us grew up listening to for many years.
1) If the video and quote below from Adam Fox and Mika Zibanejad below don’t boil your blood, nothing will. You just played game 78, the same mistakes you have made throughout the season should not be repeated. Peter Laviolette alluded to the same in his post game press conference, saying the errors were not related to the man-to-man - somewhat testy response if I might add - but defensive breakdowns and confusion. Please explain to me how a team can continually have the same breakdowns over and over and yet, it’s never related to the system.
The comments are a damning response of the organization, coaches and players. In game 78, the same issues should not be occurring. Since they are, it’s an indication of how flawed the organization is up and down. The only good news is that any notion that a playoff berth might be option should be ended this evening.
"It's just kind of the same story, right? Breakdowns, confusion, who's got who and guys are left wide open. Could've been more if Quickie didn't make a few really good saves."
"Let's be honest: We haven't really helped ourselves over the last couple weeks… A couple weeks ago, I felt like it was in our hands still. Take care of the games that we had, but we haven't been able to do that. That's why we're in this position. We're not in…
2) Effort: two goals allowed came due to a lack of full blown effort in my opinion. In the first, Zib failed to clear the puck from his own zone. He wasn’t the only one to blame, but as the puck came up the ice on the boards, he reached to tap it and didn’t get much on it. Turnover, pass, shot and goal. Later in the game, similar happened with Matt Rempe, who also blew a chance to clear the puck, leading to a goal. Game 78, the same issues as game one still are on full display
3) Artemi Panarin notched his 35th of the season and 300th of his carder, returning after getting a few stitches for a cup on his lip. Zib had four assists but that was window dressing. Chris Kreider tallied late and it’s not to wonder if that will be his final marker at MSG and/or as a Ranger.
4) As noted in the intro, the one positive was Sam and JD in the booth. The 20 years apart seemed like two days as they seamlessly picked back up from what they left off. We all benefitted from getting to hear the duo. One fun note was in the third period when discussing Will Cuylle, JD said “we drafted him.” I think I speak for most of us when I say JD should have been been fired and I wonder where this organization would be if he wasn’t.
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