Breaking Down What New York Rangers Did Wrong in Game 4 vs. Philadelphia Flyers
Game 4 went a lot like Game 2 for the New York Rangers, primarily because it ended in a loss. The Blueshirts got off to a hot start, took a lead, gave up said lead and fizzled out as the game continued.
The Philadelphia Flyers evened up their first-round NHL playoff series with a 2-1 win in Game 4, and the Rangers just failed to step up and take advantage of a golden opportunity.
Early on it looked like they would take control, but a lapse in play and strong goaltending by Steve Mason enabled the Flyers to get the job done. Here's a look at what the Rangers did wrong in Game 4.
Lack of Intensity
1 of 3
When it comes to intensity, the Rangers for whatever reason just can't get their levels up in key games. In Game 4, only Mats Zuccarello and Henrik Lundqvist were at the top of their game. Everyone else could have taken it to another level.
The Rangers scored the first goal and they fired tons of shots on Steve Mason in the first period, but they ended the period with a 1-1 tie.
In the second period, the Rangers looked like they were skating through quicksand, and the Flyers were more aggressive when it came to pouncing on loose pucks. The Flyers scored a power-play goal in the second period, and that is all they would need to defeat the Rangers.
The third period was even worse, as the Rangers decided not to show up until the final minutes of regulation. It is unexplainable why they chose to give it their best effort in the waning moments of the game, ultimately seeing their lack of passionate execution earlier cost them Game 4.
Power Play Was Horrendous Again
2 of 3
The Rangers didn't score a power-play goal in Game 4. In fact, they haven't scored a goal on the man advantage at the Wells Fargo Center this entire series. What was once an area of strength and energy for the Blueshirts has now become a two-minute stretch that sucks the morale and momentum out of the team's spirit.
Ultimately there are times when a power-play unit will struggle, but the chemistry has looked off in Philadelphia. Players are stagnant, passes are out of sync and the entire production is just embarrassing.
Whatever assistant coach Scott Arniel worked on prior to Game 4 didn't sync with his team, and that is something that needs to change before the Blueshirts return to MSG for Game 5.
Top Players Went Silent in Game 4
3 of 3
To date, the Rangers' top players had done a good job producing. In Game 4, that didn't happen. Here's a look at how the Blueshirts' "top" players contributed in Game 4.
| Derick Brassard | 0 | 0 | 0 | 17:09 |
| Brad Richards | 0 | 0 | 0 | 21:59 |
| Derek Stepan | 0 | 0 | 0 | 19:17 |
| Martin St. Louis | 0 | 0 | 0 | 20:09 |
| Ryan McDonagh | 0 | 0 | 0 | 28:02 |
| Rick Nash | 0 | 0 | 0 | 17:11 |
If the Rangers are going to be successful, they need their top players to come through. Every night won't be an offensive explosion, but from time to time there needs to be a guy who can step up and put the team on his back.
That didn't happen in Game 4, and that is a big reason why the Rangers lost.
.jpg?w=256)
.jpg?w=480)
.jpg?w=600 "Offseason Moves for Every Team 👉")
.png?w=600 "New NBA Mock Draft 📝")
