New York Rangers' Weak Defensive Effort Ends Win Streak (With Injury Updates)

Wednesday night the New York Rangers hosted a young, and struggling, Atlanta Thrashers team. The Rangers brought a strong three-game win streak into this game, and hoped to make it four in front of a home crowd.

The Rangers began the game with an excellent forecheck, and controlled play for the opening minutes of the contest. They received an early goal from Ryan Callahan and played extremely hard for the first 10 minutes of the game, leading 10-4 in shots on goal. But the strong play disappeared quickly. The Rangers defense crumpled, and the team got caught in the Thrashers trap (their strong speed and forecheck).

The first Thrasher goal was scored by young forward Bryan Little. He picked up the puck in the Thrashers defensive zone, swung past Rangers agitator Sean Avery in the neutral zone, moved around Rangers defensemen Marc Staal and Michael Rozsival and flipped the puck past Rangers backup goaltender Martin Biron for a goal.

Bryan Little dominated the Rangers defense, passing three separate players before scoring his first goal of the season.

The second Thrasher goal was scored by the fourth overall draft pick of 2009, Evander Kane. Kane jumped onto the ice from the Atlanta bench, and snuck into the Rangers offensive zone untouched. He received a pass from rookie Alex Burmistrov, and shot the puck past Martin Biron for a goal.

This goal gave Atlanta a 2-1 lead. The Rangers would respond quickly with a goal by Sean Avery to tie the game at 2-2, but the tie would not stay for long. Minutes later came the Thrashers third goal, scored by Nicolas Bergfors.

The young Thrashers forward skated into the zone to the left of Biron, and sent a quick shot top-shelf giving Atlanta a 3-2 lead.

Early into the third period, Atlanta took advantage of another defensive blunder by the Rangers. The Rangers had all five players on the ice down around the crease area, leaving almost no room for an Atlanta forward to get the puck.

But, somehow, Eric Boulton found space and received the puck. He then shot a soft backhand past every Ranger player, including the goalie, Martin Biron. This gave Atlanta a 4-2 lead. Minutes later the Thrashers received a power play, and Dustin Byfuglien whipped a slap shot by Martin Biron, giving Atlanta a 5-2 lead.

The Rangers began a comeback, receiving goals from Todd White and Brian Boyle to cut the lead to 5-4. With only 24 seconds remaining in regulation, and the Rangers with an empty net, sophomore defenseman Michael Del Zotto gave the puck away to Atlanta forward Andrew Ladd, and Ladd sent the puck into the empty net for the win.

The defensive game was the major struggle against Atlanta.  Multiple mistakes and giveaways led the Rangers to their first loss since Monday the eighteenth against the Avalanche.

The forecheck was a plus for the Rangers early in the game and late in the game; overall the Rangers offense was not a problem.  

The Rangers defense, which was a hot spot during their three game win streak, must regain their confidence and get ready for the game Friday night against the Carolina Hurricanes.

Martin Biron had a disappointing second game as a New York Ranger, but should not be given all the blame. The defense was no where to be found Wednesday night, and that led to the outpouring of five Thrasher goals (not including the empty net goal).

Artem Anisimov and Michael Rozsival

Both Anisimov and Rozsival left the game before it ended. Anisiomv left midway through the second period, and Rozsival late in the third period. According to Andrew Gross (The Record), Anisimov will need an MRI after taking a shot to the ankle in the second period, and Rozsival hyper extended his knee, but should be OK for Friday’s game.

Michael Sauer

Sauer was placed as a healthy scratch for the second straight game, and, according to Andrew Gross (The Record), Sauer has been feeling “upper-body soreness” and that is why he has not played.

That’s all for now, feel free to comment below.

 Here are the latest roster updates:

http://bleacherreport.com/articles/504416-new-york-rangers-report-evgeny-grachev-gets-the-call-possible-line-changes