2019-20 Rangers

Rangers fall to Washington 5-2

Posted on by Adam Rotter in 2019-20 Rangers

First Period:

Second Period:

Third Period:

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  • PPG – T.J. Oshie (6) ASST: John Carlson (14), Nicklas Backstrom (6)
  • EN – Garnet Hathaway (2) ASST: Carl Hagelin (2)

David Quinn’s Post Game comments on MSG:

  • On the game, “from my end of it was how bad we were defensively, the glaring chances we gave up, the number of glaring chances, the turnovers, the lack or urgency in the D-zone, that is where all of our troubles start.”
  • On the defensive issues, “I don’t know, if it was the opponent tonight because last night we were pretty good in our own end structurally, we gave up 2 chances off our D-zone coverage and tonight I’d probably bet we gave up between 15 and 20. Guys were going into man to man, chasing people around, we just weren’t mentally sharp at all, we lost our way and no matter what structure we were supposed to be in, it was a lot of purposeless hockey.”
  • On Henrik keeping it close, “he sure did, it was 3-2 going to the third period and we really couldn’t do anything with it.”
  • On Kreider on the top line, “tough to tell, I like some of what that line did but I’ll have to watch the film.”
  • On sitting DeAngelo during the game, “as a team we just didn’t defend well and it’s something that we felt we wanted to do, coaches decision.”
  • “You gotta play defense, you have to play defense. It’s frustrating because I thought we were making some strides in that area but…when the game starts it has to be a big piece of you and when it ends and you evaluate yourself, asking ‘did I play good defense tonight, was I committed to playing good defense tonight’ has to be part of the evaluation process.”
  • Did it have to do with the back to back, “I’m sure that is a little piece of it but you have to learn how to play tired, that is part of being a pro. When you don’t have it, just be structurally sound and let the game happen, don’t run around thinking you are going to force it, we were forcing things all over the rink tonight.”
  • On Kakko, “I thought he looked tired tonight.”
  • On Kakko finding his way, “I think every 18-year old does in the league, there are just so many things at this level that an 18-year old has never been asked to do, never even thought about doing. I’ve said this a lot, but it’s almost unfair for a kid like him that gets here, the game that he has been playing up to this point isn’t going to happen from here on it. When you have that talent, he’s going to learn because he wants to learn, he’s committed to being a great player. There are absolutely zero reservations of what we have with him, it’s just going to be a process and take some time.”

Stats:

Adam Rotter:

  • I thought the Rangers were better offensively than they were against the Devils but they were still sloppy in their own end and were in the box too much. I thought they had a good start and a pretty good first period but things fell away in a big way in the second period where the Rangers seemed lost and slow at times and the game only remained close because Henrik Lundqvist made a number of big saves, including on a penalty shot. It was a one-goal game heading into the third but the Rangers weren’t able to tie it before the Caps cashed in again on the PP.
  • I’m not sure if Chris Kreider being put there was the reason but the Panarin and Zibanejad duo looked like they did in the first two games. I’m not sure Kreider is the best fit there as he has been an LW his whole career, but the Rangers need to find a way to get him going.
  • Pavel Buchnevich was moved off that top-line and put forth his best game of the season. It was nice to see him shoot the puck, especially late in the game. His shot is heavy but not always on target, but he needs to use it,
  • Speaking of players that need to shoot the puck: Kaapo Kakko. Expectations for him were sky high and he does nice work protecting the puck but he needs to get the puck to the net. I’m sure it will come, probably sooner than later.