New York Rangers need to turn season around, face Senators
The New York Rangers are done talking. They’re done pondering what’s gone wrong and taking blame for poor play. Or they better be, because after three straight losses it’s time to walk the walk.
“We’ve got to fight and battle,” Gerard Gallant said on Tuesday. “We know we’re better than our record is. We can play better hockey. There’s no sense in getting mad at each other and getting frustrated. We come to work, we practice, go to the game and hopefully get better results.”
In the Rangers recent losing streak, they’ve blown multi-goals leads in each of the last two games. The Blueshirts allowed four unanswered goals in the third period by the Oilers to lose 4-3, and followed that up by blowing an early 2-0 lead versus the Devils on Monday.
While there’s plenty of blame to go around, this team needs to put forth a complete game and win.
Here’s tonight’s game and broadcast info:
New York Rangers (10-9-4) vs. Ottawa Senators (8-12-1)
Date/Time: November 30, 2022 at 7:00 PM ET
Arena: Canadian Tire Centre
TV: MSGSN
Radio: ESPN 1050 AM
New York Rangers look to turn season around
A number of Rangers players have been critical of their play, but no one was harder on himself than Igor Shesterkin.
After the game against New Jersey, the reigning Vezina Trophy winner didn’t hold back his feelings.
“Goalie played [expletive] game again,” he said. “I feel so bad and play so bad. I’m ashamed. Every goal is an easy play for me. I have to stop those. If our team wants to win the game, I have to play better.”
Shesterkin is expected to start tonight’s matchup. He’s 2-0-0 lifetime versus the Senators with a GAA of 1.00 and a stunning .962 save percentage.
The head coach also decided to put some blame on himself and his coaching staff afterwards.
“We had some chances, we had some opportunities but it’s not good enough,” Gallant said. “The team’s a problem. The whole team, the coaches, we’ve got to turn it around.”
Tonight’s lineup could also see the return of Vitali Kravtsov. At practice on Tuesday, he was taking regular reps on a third line that should be centered by Vincent Torcheck and Alexis Lafreniere on the other flank. The 22 year-old has just one assist in six games this season and has been scratched for 8 straight contests.
“Like I said to [Kravtsov] earlier, ‘Show us your skill, show us your work ethic. Just saw us your game,’” Gallant said.
Senators not to be taken lightly
The Ottawa Senators sit dead last in the Atlantic Division but are not to be taken lightly.
Their coming into this contest winners of their last two games thanks to a Claude Giroux overtime winner against the Los Angeles Kings on Sunday.
Former Rangers netminder Cam Talbot is expected to get the start. The 35 year-old is 3-5-0 this season with a GAA of 2.51 and a SV% of .919.
Brady Tkachuk leads the team in scoring with 25 points in 21 games.
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–Field Level Media contributed to this article
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