Since their nine-game winning streak came to an end on Nov. 19, the New York Rangers’ play has been enigmatic at best.
There’s been times where it looked like they’d put their struggles behind them, but at other times, they’ve looked completely lost.
Sunday’s 3-0 loss in Ottawa will be filed in the “completely lost” category.
The Rangers may have out hit (28-20) and out shot (35-33) the Senators, but their overall play was lacking.
As the New York Daily News put it, “Alain Vigneault’s team wasn’t ready to play.”
Here’s an excerpt from the Daily News:
The Blueshirts (26-17-5, 57 points), however, couldn’t even get their legs going until the second period. They allowed 30 Senators shot attempts in the first period thanks mostly to puck mismanagement. Kevin Klein began a rough afternoon with a turnover. Dan Boyle gave the puck away on each of his first three shifts.
Bobby Ryan opened the scoring in the second period before Mike Hoffman and Jean-Gabriel Pageau put the game out of reach in the third.
After the game, head coach Alain Vigneault wasn’t pleased (to say the least).
AV very very upset post game with Rangers performance. Says every time he thinks Rangers gaining traction, one of these (stinkers) happen.
— Andrew Gross (@AGrossNewsday) January 24, 2016
Av: "Other than Hank (Lundqvist) and Quickie (Jesper Fast), we had so many guys that were off their game it was unbelievable."
— Andrew Gross (@AGrossNewsday) January 24, 2016
The Rangers are currently second in the Metropolitan Division. They’re 16 points behind Washington for top spot and just one point ahead of the Islanders, who have two games in hand.
With the Devils and Penguins both showing improvement, New York’s playoff spot is far from secure.