Desperate Kings remind Rangers they’re beatable (LAK 4 v NYR 2)
Jonathan Quick stops Carl Hagelin (Jared Silber / Getty)
“Our execution wasn’t what it needed to be,” Alain Vigneault explained to reporters. After the Rangers scored early in the first, the L.A. Kings simply played hard and fast to take control. By the time the game was over, L.A. had thoroughly dominated and walked out of MSG winners.
LAK 4 v NYR 2 (ESPN)
L.A. Kings 4 vs. NY Rangers 2
Things looked so promising when J.T. Miller‘s walk out from behind the net went awry and found Mats Zuccarello for a 1-0 lead. However, the Kings used their combination of size and speed to control the puck down low and keep the Rangers off their game.
By doing so the Kings scored 4 unanswered goals to thrash the Rangers. After the game Alain Vigneault would not sugarcoat the team’s performance. “We paid the price for it,” he said and the Blueshirts know this effort won’t be acceptable heading into the playoffs.
“We just didn’t have it tonight,” lamented Derek Stepan. One Ranger who was up for the challenge, Dan Girardi said, “I think we had a good chance to take a little life out of their playoff hopes, but they came out with a great effort and very desperate–they’re fighting for their lives over there–but we needed to have a better effort.”
That better effort needs to show up tomorrow against a red-hot Senators team. The Rangers need to make a statement to Ottawa who currently hold the 8th spot (2nd wild card). A potential first round opponent will be looking to measure themselves against the Rangers. It will be up to the Rangers to make sure the Senators fall short.
NOTES
Excluding turnover on Kings’ second goal, AV says Talbot played a strong game. “Cam’s not to blame tonight, without a doubt.”
— Andrew Gross (@AGrossRecord) March 25, 2015
Derek Stepan, asked about the lack of a forecheck, says, “We were terrible everywhere.” Says it wasn’t one thing.
— Andrew Gross (@AGrossRecord) March 25, 2015
AV: Hard to explain. We were second on the puck, we were second in our one-on-ones, our execution wasn’t what it needed to be …
— Rangers Report (@rangersreport) March 25, 2015
HIGHLIGHTS & INTERVIEWS
More About:New York Rangers Games