Winners, losers from Rangers disappointing 3-1 loss to Oilers
With a chance to earn their third consecutive win for the first time since mid-November, the New York Rangers instead lost a close battle to the Edmonton Oilers, 3-1 at Madison Square Garden on Sunday night.
After winning two crucial games against the Minnesota Wild and Columbus Blue Jackets on the road, the Rangers returned home looking to add to their lead in the second wild-card spot in the Eastern Conference, turning to Igor Shesterkin once again even though he had just played 24 hours prior.
Shesterkin played well, making 20 saves for New York, but it was a deflected shot that got past him in the third period to put the Oilers ahead, and the Rangers were never able to come back.
They still hold a one point lead on the Montreal Canadiens, and two points on the Blue Jackets and Detroit Red Wings, but both Montreal and Columbus have two games in hand, while Detroit has one. Safe to say that the Rangers could have used their first three-game win streak of the calendar year right about now.
Let’s take a look at the winners and losers from the game Sunday.
Related: Former Rangers center Filip Chytil in concussion protocol for Canucks
Winner – Stuart Skinner – Oilers
For a goalie who receives a lot of criticism in Edmonton, Stuart Skinner played a great game for the Oilers, and came up big when it mattered most during the third period when the Rangers were looking to even the score. Skinner only had to make 21 saves, but they were timely, and several came on grade-A scoring chances for the Rangers, who just couldn’t find the back of the net in the third.
Loser – Power play – Rangers
Once again, the Rangers power play had another rough showing. They were 0-for-3 on the night, and have now converted on just one of their past 21 attempts. What used to be the Rangers saving grace the past few seasons is now a detriment. They are 25th in the NHL at 18.6 percent. What makes it even worse is that the Rangers earned a power play midway through the third period when they were down a goal. A golden opportunity to tie the game, and they couldn’t convert.
Winner – Will Cuylle – Rangers
The Rangers beat Skinner only once, and it was Will Cuylle who did so, scoring his first goal in seven games. Cuylle drove hard to the net to clean up a lose puck and tie the game at one, breathing life into the crowd at MSG early in the second period. His 18th goal is tied for third most on the Rangers this season as he nears his first 20-goal campaign in the NHL. in typical fashion, he also tied for the lead among all skaters with five hits.
Loser – Zac Jones – Rangers
It wasn’t a bad night overall for Zac Jones, but after losing his positioning on an Edmonton rush in the third period, the defenseman reached out to try and block a Viktor Arvidsson shot, but deflected it past Shesterkin instead. What likely would have been a routine save from the half boards for Shesterkin instead turned into a knuckling puck that changed directions and snuck over his left shoulder. An unfortunate break for Jones, who played a far less impactful game than the night prior in Columbus against the Blue Jackets.
Winner – Top dogs – Oilers
The Rangers did a decent job of shutting down the Oilers top dogs in Connor McDavid and Leon Draisaitl, but the elite forwards still found the score sheet on Sunday and impacted the final result. Draisaitl assisted on Edmonton’s first goal scored by Corey Perry on the power play, and extended his point streak to 18 games, longest in the NHL this season. Then it was McDavid who put the game away late in the third period by blazing into the Rangers zone and firing a shot past Shesterkin to make it 3-1. It was his only shot on goal and extended his point streak to 11 games.
Loser – J.T. Miller – Rangers
It’s hard to put him in the loser category since he continues to be one of New York’s best forwards, but J.T. Miller just couldn’t find the back of the net Sunday. He hit a post two minutes into the game and later had numerous chances to tie things up for the Rangers, especially on their power play in the third period. He was visibly frustrated after those failed attempts, even more so after failing to convert on two perfect one-timers. His two minor penalties didn’t help either.
