Postgame: Rangers Fall to Isles in an Effortless Manner, 2-1

The Rangers, once again, find themselves being defeated due to a lack of goal scoring in addition to the lack of heart and lack of effort. This game obviously meant a whole lot more to the Islanders than it did to the Rangers, because this was a one-sided effort. It may not seem like the Islanders completely dominated the game, but the truth is, the Blueshirts did close to nothing in this tilt to indicate to me that they even care, with exception to the minority of players, of course. You simply cannot let an away team, let alone a rival, come into your building and dictate the pace. I think it is about time to start panicking, slightly.

The first period of this game was probably the poorest effort they have displayed all season long. First off, the Rangers defense completely broke down on the Jon Sim goal. Jack Hillen was allowed to retrieve the loose puck, swoop behind the net, come in front and throw it on net, all without even being contested by any individual in a blue jersey. The goal itself was quite a fluky one, as the puck deflected off of Sim’s skate, off of Redden, off the crossbar, and over Henrik Lundqvist. Just the way things have went for this team over the past few weeks.

After being outshot 10-3 in the first period, the Blueshirts responded with a bit of energy lead by Sean Avery, who went after Roloson and ended up causing havoc in the crease, something he does well. However, it was not enough to jump start the offense with the team unable to put any of their 12 second stanza shots in the back of the net. Gaborik certainly had his opportunities, Callahan, Dubinsky, nothing,--no goals. In fact, the team has not scored an even strength tally in over a week now.

The third period was not much better with the Rangers scoring one goal on eleven shots, thank you Enver Lisin, but at the same time, they also allowed Blake Comeau to walk in and roof a rebound without much defensive effort. When I see plays like that, I really feel bad for Henrik Lundqvist, because he does not deserve treatment like that.

Okay, so now I am going to go a bit off course here and address a topic that is becoming an apparent problem. By this I mean the management of ice time by head coach John Tortorella. Gaborik played close to thirty minutes in this game, and that has been the case for back-to-back games now. Yes, I understand he is the only one creating much of anything out there, but at the same time, we know he does not have one of the strongest bodies in the world, his health is not completely perfect, and all of this ice time is going to wear on him down the road, towards the end of the season when it matters most. This will also make him more vulnerable to injury, something we do not even want to speak of at the moment.

Now a big problem on this team has been secondary scoring. Well, for starters, the secondary forwards are not even playing ten minutes in games, so how in the world do you expect them to produce? Lisin played nine minutes, Anisimov played eight minutes, Kotalik played seven minutes, Boyle played six minutes, and Brashear only about five. While Chris Higgins had 23 minutes, Dubinsky 24, Prospal 21. And then Avery only sees the ice for thirteen minutes, yet he was one of the best players out on the ice for the Rangers. I believe the coaching staff needs to rethink ice time distribution before tomorrow’s rematch.

Avery was alive, he was in the middle of everything, he was skating and creating chances, which only about three or four other players supported him in doing. Those being Gaborik, Dubinsky, Callahan, and surprisingly, Enver Lisin. Quite honestly, if I were the coach, Lisin just earned himself a spot on the second line for tomorrow’s game on Long Island with the way he skated in this one.

I truly do feel very bad for Henrik Lundqvist, who is being left alone to play goalie and defense at the same time. It is ridiculous, lack-luster, effortless defense is absolutely unacceptable, especially in a game like this on. Hank is also one of the only players on this team to admit the truth and hold himself accountable, tonight saying that “we need to look in the mirror and see what we can do better”. Unfortunately, Henrik, you are one of the few who will actually follow through with that.

John Tortorella just got through with his postgame meeting with the media, and boy oh boy did the “bleep” button get use tonight. Among the points made were that the first period effort was “unacceptable”, he wishes he had a “bleeping answer” as to why they started like that, and that something will be done among the coaches between now and tomorrow night at 7 pm. What that may be? No one knows and Torts is most likely unsure himself.

As I mentioned, the Rangers, who have now dropped five straight, will get a chance to respond tomorrow night in the second of the home-and-home at Nassau Coliseum. They better hope and pray that they come out with effort and energy, otherwise things will take a complete nosedive from here on out. I apologize for the complete rant, but I think I speak on behalf of most Ranger fans when I make the points that I did. I will have the starting goaltender decision for you when announced on Thursday. I would go with Cad Johnson myself, but we will see.
(Images courtesy of AP Photo)