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Sometimes, you get beat. Despite playing a solid defensive game, allowing just 23 shots on goal to the Edmonton Oilers, the results did not fall in the Rangers favor, losing 3-1. There’s a certain frustration present that the team can’t seem to string enough wins in a row to really create separation in the standings. They can only win 2 in a row before the wheels fall off in the third game, though this was not the case last night. The Rangers played well, they just lost. Nuance is always needed.
While the teams around the Rangers, save for Montreal, are struggling to put wins together, an inability to put a third win in a row together makes things even more frustrating. Luck wasn’t with the Rangers last night against a Stanley Cup contender. It’s frustrating, but that’s hockey sometimes.
Last night was another game where the Rangers seem to have figured it out defensively. Hopefully that 7-3 loss to Columbus last week was the last meltdown, as the most recent games have been far better. Credit to Peter Laviolette to also recognize that Zac Jones deserved to stay in the lineup when Adam Fox returned, scratching Carson Soucy instead.
As for last night, Edmonton is a class all on its own, they are the reigning Western Conference finalists for a reason, and their roster is pretty solid now even when McDavid is somewhat shut down. McDavid’s goal was a backbreaker, but it was the only clean look he got all game. Between that and allowing just 23 shots on goal, it’s a nice moral victory. It’s a good positive and lesson for a lot of the new guys who have joined the Rangers since the calendar turned to 2025.
But how about that Will Cuylle? Cuylle is going to be an absolute force for years to come, hopefully with the Rangers. With his 18th goal on the season, he is now on pace to register roughly 22 goals and 23 assists; a solid sophomore campaign for the Ontario boy. If I’m Chris Drury, I’m trying to lock in Cuylle to a long term contract, preferably eight years. His ceiling is that of a Tom Wilson-lite, and he’d be worth every penny with how he plays. There’s a solid chance he winds up with a letter on his jersey. Guess Lias Andersson was worth the pick after all?
A critical piece of the Rangers’ issues this season, and a key reason why they can’t seem to string together more than two wins in a row, is the anemic powerplay. I miss when the Rangers power play was something to be feared by teams. Perhaps it’s just luck finally averaging out and regression coming for guys like Mika Zibanejad and Chris Kreider, but they are brutal with the man advantage right now, especially on that top unit. There’s too much passing and deferring and not enough shooting. It’s baffling and frustrating.
With games this week against Calgary, Toronto, and Vancouver, the Rangers really need two of the next three in the win column. Luckily these don’t have to be in regulation, as they have no games remaining against Montreal or Columbus (and maybe Detroit). Calgary should be a win, Toronto could go either way, and Vancouver should also absolutely be a win. We are coming down to the wire now folks.
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