The Rangers winning streak ended at three after a clunker at the Garden today, getting shutout 4-0 by the Panthers. Henrik Lundqvist allowed three goals on 23 shots before being pulled in the second period for Steve Valiquette. The Rangers did plaster Panther goalie Craig Anderson with 43 shots, but all were turned away.
Monzo: Not much to say here. The Rangers have had two afternoon games this season and have lost them both. The team brought absolutely nothing to the table today. The key was to get out of the first period with a lead, but they could not get anything going. Can’t put much blame on Lundqvist — each of the goals he gave up was to a wide open player, including a breakaway to Ville Peltonen. Stephen Weiss and Gregory Campbell both netted goals shortly afterwards. The Rangers now have a few days to prepare for the Penguins Wednesday night at MSG.
Also, no decision has been made yet on Petr Prucha, however it is looking more and more likely he is going to be sent to Hartford on a conditioning assignment.
More tomorrow…
All I have to say is that it was a good day to be covering the Giants! Let’s face facts, the Rangers are giving up the puck like they are passing out free meals at a soup kitchen. They made the Panthers look like the Montreal Canadiens circa 1976-1979. There doesn’t seem to be much good fundamental hockey going on right now. Pulling Lundqvist to jump start a team playing poor fundamental hockey made no sense. Lundqvist is the best player on the team, and the main reason the Rangers are where they are today. Just when it seemed safe to get back in Rozsival’s corner the bum reverts back to his poor play and drags Wade Redden, Staal, and Girardi with him! Players are standing around waiting for the puck to come to them, and where has the forecheck disappeared to? The giveaways need to stop. They need to get quality shots not 40 shots from a zero degree angle at the goal line. And put quality defense in front of Lundqvist. They have till Wednesday to right the ship. The feast on the bottom feeders ends with the Pens coming to town and many tough games to follow. Hopefully they right the ship cause my insides can’t take much more rotten hockey!