3 Rangers takeaways from 6-3 loss to Jets, hottest team in NHL
Considering how they’ve played recently, their 6-3 loss to the red-hot Winnipeg Jets on Tuesday at Madison Square Garden was a step in the right direction for the New York Rangers.
New York out-shot (36-33), out-attempted (68-54) and out-chanced (36-28) Winnipeg overall. But in the end, the first-overall Jets capitalized more readily on Rangers mistakes and never trailed in their latest victory.
Listen, it’s no disgrace losing to the Jets (15-1-0) these days. They set an NHL record by winning for the 15th time in their first 16 games, and improved to 8-0-0 when scoring first and 7-0-0 on the road.
“It just seemed like we’d make a mistake inside of the game and it ends up costing us. It turns around quick,” Rangers coach Peter Laviolette explained postgame. “There were a lot of isolated incidents out there where, right now they’re the top team in the League and they make you pay.”
Laviolette added that he was happy with how the Rangers (9-4-1) played offensively, getting to their game, pushing the play and generating quality chances. A bounce here or there — they hit iron at least three times — and perhaps there’s a different outcome.
The overall compete level was very good, as well as it should be, skating against such a quality opponent. But again there were a slew of defensive breakdowns, and the Jets capitalized time and again.
The Rangers are 4-4-0 in their past eight games and must hope that this game — albeit a loss — can help spring them forward to better days and efforts ahead, especially with a four-game road trip looming.
Related: Revisiting the Jacob Trouba – Neal Pionk trade from 5 years ago
3 takeaways from Rangers 6-3 loss to Jets
Here are three takeaways from the game Tuesday.
1. What’s up with Mika?
This was one to forget for Mika Zibanejad. The Rangers center was minus-4 and, worse, he made a slew of egregious turnovers that led directly to goals by the Jets. When asked if Zibanejad is pressing, Laviolette provided a non-answer, “I can’t speak for Mika. We count on Mika. He’s an impact player for us.”
He made an impact alright, just not a positive one Tuesday. It started with a soft clearing attempt in the game’s first minute which was kept in at the left point by Josh Morrissey. Seconds later Mark Scheifele buried a shot from the low slot, and the Rangers ended up chasing the Jets the rest of the night.
There was also a turnover in the offensive end which led to a Jets odd-man rush and Kyle Connor goal in the second period. And he was stripped of the puck in the neutral zone early in the third, leading to a quick transition goal by Scheifele seconds later that made it 4-2.
His line with Artemi Panarin and Alexis Lafreniere — before the latter two were reunited with Vincent Trocheck — was outscored 3-0 at 5v5 — and had a brutal xGF of 35.66 percent, per Natural Stat Trick.
Zibanejad did leave the game for a bit in the second period, so perhaps he’s playing hurt. But excuses aside, it was a rough night for No. 93.
2. Struggling against the big boys
Last season is last season. But as a point of comparison, the Rangers rose up and met the challenge time and again last season when playing against the best teams in the NHL. Ironically, sometimes it was lesser teams that gave them more trouble.
Not so much this season. The Rangers have fattened up against the likes of the Detroit Red Wings (three wins in a season series sweep already), Pittsburgh Penguins, Montreal Canadiens and Anaheim Ducks — as well they should — but struggled against the big boys.
The Rangers did defeat the Toronto Maple Leafs on the road Oct. 19, but aside from that, they didn’t quite measure up against top teams like the Florida Panthers and Jets. You can count the 10-4-0 Washington Capitals in that group, too.
It’s early. But this is a trend to keep an eye on. Road games against the Vancouver Canucks, Edmonton Oilers (who’ve had their own issues this season) and Carolina Hurricanes remain big challenges on the schedule this month.
3. Third line superlatives, again
It was far from all bad Tuesday night for the Rangers. Heading the list of positives was another strong game from the third line, which outscored the Jets 2-0 when on the ice. Will Cuylle and Kaapo Kakko scored similar goals, planting themselves in front of Jets goalie Connor Hellebuyck to score off rebounds generated by Braden Schneider point shots.
That line — centered by Filip Chytil, who had an assist and won five of eight face-offs — had a 6-1 advantage in scoring chances, per Natural Stat Trick, 3-0 in high-danger opportunities. Their xGF was a robust 85.71 percent.
This line keeps it simple, plays smart in all three zones, and continues to be the most consistent among Rangers forwards this season. Cuylle – Chytil – Kakko have now outscored opponents 11-0 at 5v5 this season.
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