Following the New York Rangers' 3-2 loss to the Washington Capitals, Stan Fischler shares his thoughts.
For crying out loud, why can't a respectable National Hockey League team like the New York Rangers take a snooze and not be pestered by every Met Area hockey writer from South Street to The Statue of Liberty?
Just because they lost three straight, was that any reason for us to get the heebie-jeebies.?
Well, YES!
What happened yesterday at Capital One Arena proves that there's something momentarily wrong with the Rangers machine that even Adam Fox's two goals couldn't fix. Blowing what should have been a two-pointer, the Blueshirts lost it in the third, 3-2.
"For the most part," explained Skipper Peter Laviolette, "we were pretty tight defensively. They had two chances in the third and scored on two pucks from the side of the net that ended up in."
The tying goal by the Caps fourth-string center Nic Dowd was produced at 6:36 of the third. T.J. Oshie followed up with the winner at 8:29
Two chances=two goals -- as coach Lavvy noted -- in my mind does not reflect well on the goalkeeping of Jonathan (Not So) Quick. The backup -- who, by the way, has been playing better than the You-Know-Who, started -- made a mere 15 saves.
And this against a team that was minus its captain Alex Ovechkin. (Figure that Ovie will return this afternoon and no doubt that Igor Shesterkin will be in goal for the Locals. (One way to show he's Numero Uno would be a good, old-time shutout)
But, hey, this four-game losing streak is not a civic tragedy, especially since the Blueshirts host Ovie's team this afternoon at The World's Most Famous Arena. Ask the captain, and Jake Trouba will tell you that the sky is not falling on his failing team.
"We're not playing terrible hockey," assured the defenseman whose coverage could have been better. "We're getting good looks while giving up a little too much. We'll keep battling through. It is what it is."
At absolutely no extra charge, The Maven will tell you what it is: nothing more than a dip that every good team suffers in the 82-game schedule. (Check out the hotter-than-hot Oilers, who appeared headed for the AHL a while back before rallying and now simply don't know how to lose.)
It would have helped New York's cause had Breadman Panarin delivered a small-rye-sliced-without seeds. But nothing!
At least The Bagel Salesman, Fox, came through with one plain and one garlic. (But where was that everything bagel, Adam, that would have tied the game?)
Oh, well, instant revenge will be on the menu today starting at one; Even Skipper Pete knows that.
"We've got to win a game, and that's the bottom line," the coach concluded.
Trouba: "It's a long season." (But I told you that already.)
Fox: "It slipped away from us. We gave them some chances, and they capitalized."
What did you expect, Bagel Man, they are the Capitals!
Prediction: It will be "Slump-busting Day" this afternoon on Seventh Avenue!