Newsday:Rangers fall to 8th place after loss in Carolina

“I realize there’s a big picture and we’re well aware of what a loss or a one-point game means, but we’re to a point where it’s simpler than that: 1 o’clock Saturday, first 20 minutes,” said Chris Drury, who was installed on the point on the flat-lining power play (3-for-35), which had a chance to swing the momentum on four consecutive chances in the first period but failed.

NY Daily News: Rangers fade in third period, fall to Hurricanes 4-2

“We’re not playing good third periods, and that’s something that we better stop (Saturday against the Bruins in Boston),” Gomez said. “I don’t know if we’re more hesitant or whatever, but we’ve got to figure it out.”

“We just didn’t do the job,” said John Tortorella. “I thought for most of the night we worked hard and did a lot of good things. But when it comes down to the third period, 2-to-2, those little things have to get done, and we didn’t do them. Cost us the game.”

NY Post: RANGERS FALL TO EIGHTH AFTER LOSS TO ‘CANES

There is essentially no remaining margin for error. The eighth-place Rangers have frittered it away. Every team within proximity is streaking and the Blueshirts are faltering.

The finish could be ugly for the Blueshirts, who have four games remaining following last night’s 4-2 defeat here to the surging Hurricanes and just a two-point lead on the Panthers, who will make up their game in hand tonight at home against the Thrashers.

The Record: Rangers living on the edge

“We put ourselves in position here on the road, 2-2 against the hottest team in the league and we didn’t come through,” defenseman Paul Mara said. “We have four games. Each one is a mandatory win.”