Recap: Isles vs Rangers 12/6/16
Tonight the Rangers took on the Isles in their second meeting of the regular season, this time at Barclays Center. Unlike the season opener where the Rangers dominated and won 5-3, this time they took the loss in a 4-2 game that was plagued with injuries, turnovers and bad puck management.
Game Rundown
Isles took a 2-0 lead early with Mayfield and Chimera scoring. Chimera’s goal was a bit fluky. Rangers went 0/3 on the power play, including failing to score on a double minor chance.
The Rangers rallied to make a comeback in the second, with Vesey and Staal both scoring goals. Nash’s work around the net created the chance for Vesey to sink the rebound making it 2-1:
https://twitter.com/BlueSeatBlogs/status/806304283935305728
Ladd’s goal, was largely in part to Hank failing to make a poke check, which put him sorely out of position, made it 3-1. Shortly thereafter, Staal’s shot came off a beautiful feed from Miller, who certainly had an edge to his game all night:
The Rangers scored no goals in the third period despite the two- and three-man advantage opportunity in the last 2 minutes in the game.
Poor Time Management
Down two goals, Lundqvist went to the bench with 2:34 remaining in the third period, giving them a man advantage and quieting everyone watching with a nervous energy (was that just me?). When the Isles drew a penalty, instead of giving up the puck, the Rangers kept passing, playing keepaway while 46 precious, valuable seconds ticked off the clock. Halak saved the shots they did manage to take, not allowing a single goal more as time winded down.
Riddled with Injuries
As if it wasn’t enough to have Mika Zibanejad and Pavel Buchnevich out, the Rangers got to add two more players to the injury list. First up was Matt Puempel who left after being checked to the jaw in the first and left the ice with Ramsey at his side. It later came to light that Puempel has a concussion. Then, to make matters worse, Nash headed to the dressing room during commercial break in the second period and did not return due to a tweaked groin.
While losses are to be expected, they sure don’t have to be this ugly. Rangers are back in action on Thursday at Winnipeg. See you all then!
More About:New York Rangers Analysis New York Rangers Games