There were few words the New York Rangers could come up with to summarize Friday’s overtime loss to the Anaheim Ducks — one that they had control of and should’ve been able to seal.
“Is there anything that even needs to be said after a game like that?” a reporter asked a disgruntled Peter Laviolette after the game.
“No,” said Laviolette. “We’re in charge of a game going into the third period, and we don’t execute and get it done. That’s disappointing. That’s about as disappointing as it gets.”
Friday night was about as disappointing as could get for the Rangers. They led 4–2 with less than six minutes to play in the third — a period in which they were blessed with five power plays.
Park the bus, and they’d escape Southern California with an important two points that would have, for now, elevated them back into the second Wild Card spot. Instead, the Rangers found yet another way to lose. Poor puck movement and effortless backchecking cost them, as the Ducks scored two late goals to tie the game and then won it early into the extra frame.
Ducks capitalize on 4-on-2 to tie game
Anaheim would not need to pull Lukas Dostal in order to get an advantage late in the game. The Rangers gifted them one.
The Rangers entered the Ducks’ zone with just under two minutes to play in regulation. Alexis Lafrenière rimmed the puck behind the net from the left wing, then followed behind the net. On the other side, the other two Rangers’ forwards, J.T. Miller and Will Cuylle, were both caught below the faceoff circle as the Ducks intercepted the puck.
In a case of nothing more than unfortunate timing, the Ducks’ breakout coincided with the end of Radko Gudas’ interference penalty. Anaheim’s captain joined the rush as Leo Carlsson carried the puck down the left wing.
Defenseman Olen Zellweger also jumped up into the play. The Rangers’ forwards could not get back in time, and Zellweger was left open as the high option. He beat Igor Shesterkin over the blocker.
“We made mistakes,” said Laviolette. “And mistakes ended up in the back of our net.”
Familiar defensive meltdown costs Rangers in OT
There may not be a worse showing in the league this season than the Rangers’ play in Friday’s abbreviated overtime.
The Ducks controlled the puck in the Rangers’ end in the first minute of overtime. Mason McTavish carried it from the point down to the left hash marks, as Artemi Panarin stuck with him. In front of the net, Vincent Trocheck had lost his gap control on Jackson LaCombe, leaving the Ducks’ defenseman wide open in front of Shesterkin.
Recognizing this, McTavish threw a pass across the slot, causing Shesterkin to aggressively slide across and out of his crease to challenge LaCombe, who did not shoot. Instead, he passed to Cutter Gauthier in the high slot, who drew all three Rangers players toward him.
Gauthier gave the puck back to LaCombe, who found a now-uncovered McTavish in front of the net. McTavish easily tapped in LaCombe’s pass for the win.
This was a very “Rangers” goal to give up: unexplainable defensive coverage, chasing the puck and leaving opposing players open in dangerous areas.
“Chances that we can’t let happen,” said Adam Fox. “They capitalize on it.
“Good teams do not lose a game like that,” Fox added. “Especially when, even in the third we had, what, five power plays. That can’t happen. But we got one point. Take that again. We’re still on this with nine to go and a quick turnout tomorrow to get two points.”
Playoff chances hurt
Somehow, amid this untimely 1–4–1 skid, the Rangers are somehow tied for the last Wild Card spot with 75 points. They have played more games than the Columbus Blue Jackets and the Montreal Canadiens, so New York is fourth in the race. But that final spot is still up for grabs.
Columbus beat the Vancouver Canucks on Friday, so they’re currently in; Montreal has lost three in a row, so they’re out for now.
The New York Islanders are one point and one spot behind the Rangers, and have played two fewer games.
The Rangers have a quick turnaround, as they head north to face the San Jose Sharks on Saturday for the second night of their California back-to-back. Puck drop is at 10:30 p.m. ET.
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