First Period:
Second Period:
- Timo Meier (23) (Power Play) Assists: Luke Hughes (35), Nico Hischier (30)
- Jesper Bratt (21) (Shorthanded) Assists: Nico Hischier (31), Brenden Dillon (14)
Third Period:
- Timo Meier (24) Assists: Seamus Casey (2), Dawson Mercer (15)
- Nico Hischier (35) Assists: Jesper Bratt (67)
Stats:
Adam Rotter:
- You can’t make the playoffs if you can’t win three games in a row and the Rangers, again, failed to do so.
- All season the Rangers have lacked the necessary urgency needed in big moments or big games and so why should today be any different? This was a huge game for the Rangers, as they all are the rest of the way, but they just can’t put it all together and win.
- The PP was almost directly responsible for so much of the Rangers success over the last three years and their PP struggles, 2 for 42 or so, are directly responsible for why the Rangers haven’t been able to climb into a playoff spot and keep it. And it’s not just that it isn’t scoring, they are giving up shorthanded goals and it’s just a killer.
- The focus once again shifts away from the playoffs and towards who isn’t coming back next season. I’m pretty sure that Chris Drury is safe but you look at each aspect of the game where the Rangers are failing and point to someone who may not be safe. Michael Peca owns the PP struggles, Phil Housley owns the defensive issues and everything else, from not being ready to not meeting the moment or anything else falls on Peter Laviolette.
- That doesn’t even touch on which players are or aren’t coming back. Chris Drury started remaking the team during the season and that isn’t going to stop come the offseason.
- If Montreal loses to Philly in regulation than nothing much changes as they will remain down two points with Montreal having a game in hand. But if Montreal wins tonight then it seems all but done that the Rangers will miss the playoffs. They don’t deserve to make the playoffs for how November/December went and maybe even moreso for how they climbed back up the standings to get in position and then let every opportunity fall right through their hands.
- Tampa is next on Monday.