Winners, losers after Rangers fall to Jets to start road trip

Shesterkin faced only 24 shots, but had to be on his toes throughout due to a string of defensive breakdowns that led to numerous breakaways and odd-man chances for the Jets. His most critical save likely was stoning Vladislav Namestnikov after the Jets forward flew past Zac Jones and took a head-man pass for a breakaway just a minute after Winnipeg grabbed a 2-1 lead in the second period. The Rangers ultimately still lost, but it could’ve been game over right then and there.

There’s never a doubt how hard hard Trocheck works nor how much coach Peter Laviolette trusts him, but the Rangers center had a another rough night at both ends of the rink against the Senators. He had the tying goal on his stick with Shesterkin pulled for an extra attacker and 1:22 remaining in regulation, hesitated slightly and then had his shot blocked up into the netting. That summed up his night, when he was on ice for five high-danger chances against and only two for in more than 16 minutes TOI at 5v5, per Natural Stat Trick. He finished with one shot on goal in more than 23 minutes TOI total, won only 41 percent of his face-offs and was held without a goal for the 11th straight game.

Zibanejad scored the Rangers only goal, a bar-down power-play goal from the slot in the first period, and led all skaters with 10 shot attempts. He was engaged, strong on the PK and had several other quality scoring chances. As usual, Zibanejad was a mixed bag defensively 5v5, but he has come alive offensively with four points (two goals, two assists) in the past three games and 19 points (six goals, 13 assists) in his past 15.

The Rangers were incensed that Matt Rempe was called for a goalie interference penalty at 3:11 of the second period after he was shoved into Jets goalie Connor Hellebuyck. They were even angrier when the Jets scored on the ensuing power play, a go-ahead goal that turned out to be the game-winner. Granted a power play of their own when Brandon Tanev was whistled for interfering with Shesterkin after bumping him in the crease at 6:22 of the second, the Rangers failed to even the score.

Hellebuyck got a lot of help from his friends in his League-leading 38th victory of the season. The Jets blocked 21 shots and numerous Rangers pass attempts, as well. It was a game-changer in the third period especially, when the Rangers pressed in the offensive zone and just couldn’t get clean looks. New York was held to five shots on goal in the third and 22 in the game. Veteran defenseman Luke Schenn led all skaters with five blocked shots (and five hits) in his Jets debut after being acquired in a trade ahead of the NHL deadline.

It appeared the Jets took a 3-1 lead at 3:06 of the third period when Dylan Demelo’s shot beat Shesterkin. But Laviolette successfully challenged the on-ice call of a goal, because Winnipeg forward Morgan Barron’s skate clipped Shesterkin’s skate as the Rangers goalie attempted to kick out his right leg. The goal was overruled for goalie interference and the New York’s deficit remained one.

The defeat in Winnipeg stretched the Rangers losing skid to four games (0-2-2). It is New York’s third losing streak of at least four games and fifth of at least three this season. Conversely, the Rangers longest winning streak is four games (Oct. 14-22) and they haven’t won three in a row since Nov. 14-19, a stretch of four months. The Rangers have won three or more games in a row twice this season.

Carson Soucy wired a shot off the post just 1:52 into the game. That could’ve given the Rangers an early lead and a big boost in this massive road game. Then Braden Schneider kissed iron off a short-handed rush later in the game. A goal there would’ve made it 2-2, and who knows what happens moving forward? Instead, the Rangers lost by one. Such were the (bad) bounces for the Rangers.