The New York Rangers’ hopes for a playoff berth took a hit after a disheartening 2-1 defeat by the Calgary Flames on Tuesday. The Rangers, who had been clinging to a playoff spot, fell out of contention with this loss, marking a continued downward spiral for the team.
The Flames, on the other hand, have been a consistent source of disappointment for the Rangers this season. The lackluster performance by the Rangers raised eyebrows and dampened spirits, with a few players expressing their dismay after Tuesday’s setback.
K’Andre Miller, the Rangers’ defenseman, was unequivocal in his assessment of the team’s display. “We just didn’t show up to play,” he said, referring to the match as one of the most crucial of the season. The sentiment was echoed by Mika Zibanejad, who criticized the team’s execution. “I thought we were slow. I think we got away from the things that we did well in previous games,” he lamented.
Peter Laviolette, the Rangers’ head coach, also expressed his dissatisfaction with the team’s performance. “They worked hard for the ice tonight, and we didn’t,” he commented.
The Rangers were particularly ineffective against Flames’ backup goaltender Dan Vladar, managing a meager 13 shots on net. Apart from Artemi Panarin’s early goal in the first period, the Rangers were largely incapable of mounting any serious pressure against the Flames, who were considered beatable on home ice.
The team’s power play was notably unproductive, with zero shots on goal in two attempts. “We didn’t break the puck out,” Laviolette pointed out. “We didn’t move it through the neutral zone. We turned it over countless times in the neutral zone. That takes away from offense.”
The Rangers have had a decent run in the past three seasons, making it to the playoffs each time and reaching the Conference Finals twice. However, they haven’t made it to a Stanley Cup Final since the 2013-14 season. That year, they suffered a devastating 4-1 defeat to the Los Angeles Kings in the final.
The current season’s setbacks have left fans and analysts questioning whether the Rangers can recover their former glory. For now, the team’s playoff dreams hang in the balance as they continue to grapple with their downward spiral.