29-20-5: No Effort In Newark

Sitting in the bar after wasting my time and money to go to Newark, I asked my buddy Ben, "how the hell am I going to come up with something good to talk about after this one?" His reply was "Good? There's nothing good to say about tonight."

It is hard to disagree but I did come up with two things - the Rangers didn't give up 10 goals and Colton Orr fedoruk'ed Mike Rupp. So that was good. But that was pretty much it.

The lines didn't click, the players didn't skate hard, they couldn't complete more than two passes in a row, they didn't win a single loose puck, they were outchecked, they didn't forecheck, they had no discipline, their vaunted defensive scheme completely failed to cover Bobby Holik on the first goal and the power play ... well, is there anything about it that I haven't said before? It bah-lowwwwwwws.

This is one time that I wish I was wrong and wish I can't say I told you so but while everyone was etching the Rangers on the Cup after their hot start, I said that this team just wasn't that good and they aren't. They are showing their true colors: overpriced, overpampered stars who play without motivation, a coach doesn't hold anyone accountable except for Petr Prucha and a general manager who sits in his ivory tower and counts his money. It is simply atrocious and sadly it appears we are doomed to six or so more years of it with Drury, Gomez and Redden dragging the team down like an anchor and Renney and Sather safe as long as Garden revenues stay up, which they will since it is New York.

Odds and ends:

*It is comedic that because it was a light night in the league, the NHL Network spent a segment airing a clip from their Captains show focusing on Drury. Amazingly the woman interviewing him didn't ask why can't he score, why can't he lead and does he feel like he is ripping off the Rangers by taking home that huge paycheck.

*Nice to see Shanny collect an assist. It is surprisingly easy to root for him, even while in red and black. That man gave his all for the Blueshirts, something no Ranger is doing right now.

*Why is this Reitz kid getting a regular shift while Corey Potter was sent back to Hartford? Is it because Reitz is willing to fight? He gets himself out of position chasing after hits and then gets into fights and loses. I can't see how that is a better contribution than a legitimate Ranger prospect getting to play.

*Speaking of the kids: there was no reason for Prucha not to play, Nigel Dawes disappeared, Renney limited Korpikoski to seven minutes of ice time and for all of his skating, Ryan Callahan couldn't make anything happen.

*That Cameron idiot who the Devils hire to jump around like an moron and throw tee shirts around during every break is annoying. I kept praying he would trip down the stairs. Sadly, he didn't.

*Scott Clemmensen skated away with a shutout by making 27 easy saves. The Ranger "offense" never really challenged him and I don't think they got to a single rebound. Not that they tried ...

*Nik Zherdev pulled another disappearing act, but that is to be expected from a heartless Russian. You would think that he would step up his game to start playing for his next contract but I guess he realizes he can get a big money deal back in the motherland without breaking a sweat here.

*I couldn't tell who was booing more when the Mexican't Gomez had the puck, the Ranger fans in the building or the Devil fans. Maybe I couldn't tell because I was one of the louder ones booing. BOOOOOOOOOOOO!!!!!!

*Wade Redden. No. I think the only thing left to do is hope for a career-ending injury. When you take his contract and add his stupidity and softness, you have someone far more infuriating than Christian Backman, Marek Malik and Tom Poti ever were. Well, maybe not Poti. Not yet.

*Hank played decently. So add that to the two things up top that was good about the Rangers.

*Johnny Oduya was credited with five blocked shots. Really? And if so, don't you think the Rangers would have learned not to shoot with him right in front of them? No, they probably wouldn't have. They don't learn or adapt because they don't have to - they are still guaranteed their paychecks and are guaranteed ice time (unless they are Petr Prucha) so why should they worry their pretty little heads over something like, say ... scoring?

*PHW Three Stars
3-Zach Parise - two goals.
2-Bobby Holik - one goal.
1-Scott Clemmensen - 27 saves.

Scotty Hockey Three Stars
3-Colton Orr - Yet again he seemed to be the only player wearing a Ranger jersey to actually care about the team's fortunes. He looked like he was ready and willing to take on the entire Jersey team after sending Rupp to lala land.
2-Jamie Langenbrunner - The Devil captain always plays a motivated game against the Rangers and he did on this night - he created chances with his physical play and collected two assists for his efforts.
1-Zach Parise - A constant scoring threat who netted a pair of goals while constantly worrying Hank and the Ranger D. He was picked 17th in 2003, Hugh Jessiman was 12th. And Glen Sather still has a job ...

29-20-5: No Effort In Newark

The New York Rangers entered their game against the New Jersey Devils with high hopes. They were coming off an impressive win against a tough opponent, the Toronto Maple Leafs, and were looking to build on that success. However, what transpired in Newark on that fateful night was a stark reminder of the unpredictability of sports and the challenges that even the most talented teams can face. In this article, we'll delve into the Rangers' disappointing performance, the factors that contributed to their loss, and answer some frequently asked questions about the game.

The Build-Up

The Rangers had reason to be optimistic. With a record of 29-20-4, they were firmly in the playoff hunt and looking to secure a spot in the highly competitive Eastern Conference. Their recent victory against the Maple Leafs had showcased their offensive prowess and the capabilities of their star players, including Artemi Panarin and Mika Zibanejad.

A Lackluster Performance

However, when the puck dropped at the Prudential Center, it quickly became apparent that this would not be the Rangers' night. They looked sluggish and out of sync from the outset, struggling to generate scoring chances and failing to maintain possession of the puck.

The Devils, who had struggled for consistency throughout the season, seized the opportunity to exploit the Rangers' weaknesses. They outworked their opponents in every aspect of the game, outhitting them, winning battles along the boards, and effectively shutting down the Rangers' power play opportunities.

Goaltending Woes

One of the Rangers' key strengths had been their goaltending, with Igor Shesterkin emerging as a potential Vezina Trophy candidate. However, even the best goaltenders have off nights, and this game proved to be a challenging one for Shesterkin.

The Devils managed to solve the Rangers' netminder early, with goals that showcased their ability to capitalize on defensive breakdowns. Shesterkin faced a barrage of shots and was unable to make the game-changing saves that had become his trademark.

Lack of Depth Scoring

While the Rangers boast a formidable top line, they have occasionally struggled to find secondary scoring. This issue was glaringly evident in Newark, as the team's depth forwards failed to contribute on the scoresheet. In contrast, the Devils received goals from a variety of sources, highlighting their balanced offensive attack.

Frequently Asked Questions

1. What went wrong for the Rangers in this game?

Several factors contributed to the Rangers' loss, including a lackluster overall performance, struggles in goaltending, and an inability to generate secondary scoring.

2. Was this loss a significant setback for the Rangers' playoff hopes?

While every loss is a setback, the Rangers remained in the playoff hunt despite this defeat. They needed to regroup and refocus on their upcoming games to secure a playoff spot.

3. How did the Devils manage to shut down the Rangers' power play?

The Devils' penalty kill was effective due to strong defensive positioning, aggressive penalty killing, and limiting the Rangers' time and space to set up scoring opportunities.

4. Was Igor Shesterkin solely responsible for the loss?

No, Shesterkin was not solely responsible for the loss. While he had a challenging night, the Rangers' overall performance, lack of secondary scoring, and defensive lapses all contributed to the defeat.

5. What's next for the Rangers after this loss?

After a disappointing loss, the Rangers needed to regroup, analyze their performance, and make necessary adjustments. They had to focus on upcoming games to maintain their playoff push.

In sports, adversity is a constant companion, and even the best teams face unexpected challenges. The Rangers' loss to the Devils served as a reminder that success in the NHL requires consistent effort and attention to detail. While this game may have been a setback, it was also an opportunity for the Rangers to learn from their mistakes and come back stronger in their quest for a playoff berth. The NHL season is a marathon, not a sprint, and how teams respond to adversity often determines their ultimate success.