New York Rangers Must Play a 60-Minute Game If They Want To Win

Two nights ago the New York Rangers lost 6-4 to the Atlanta Thrashers. The Rangers took a three game win streak into that game, and for the first five minutes it seemed like they would increase the streak to four games. They were playing hard, held a constant forecheck, they were keeping the puck out of their defensive zone and they were in complete control of the game.

But that was in the first five minutes.

As the period progressed the Atlanta Thrashers play intensified. The game took a turn for the worse for the Rangers, and play shifted to one part of the ice (the Rangers defensive zone).

The young and talented Atlanta forwards found holes in the Rangers young and ambitious defense, leading to a five goal outburst. The Rangers tried to pull things together late in the game as they cut the score from 5-2 to 5-4, but their rally fell short, and they lost the game by a final score of 6-4.

The Rangers did not play a 60 minute game against the Atlanta Thrashers, but instead they played with bursts of energy, starting with the first five minutes of the game. They looked unstoppable at the beginning, and it was starting to look like the Rangers were going to roll past the Thrashers for an easy win.

But that was not the case.

The Rangers made the mistake of playing soft against the young and inexperienced Atlanta team, and the Thrashers took advantage of it.

The Rangers did not have their second burst of energy until the midway point of the second period, after they scored their second goal. The Rangers were losing 2-1 and they worked hard to tie the game up again.

From about the eight minute mark stretching to the five minute mark of the second period, the Rangers seemed to have regained control of the game. Sean Avery scored the game tying goal at about the five minute mark, and the Rangers tried to rally off of that goal.

They began forechecking again, they drew a penalty and got the home crowd back into the game. Everything seemed to being going the Rangers way.

But as their power play expired—a rather weak attempt—the Thrashers once again regained control and scored three goals in about a 10 minute span (running from the end of the second period into the beginning of the third period), giving them a commanding 5-2 lead.

So, once again, the Rangers were out of the game. But, of course, the Rangers would find a final outburst of energy within them. Halfway through the third period, in a span of 2:51, the Rangers scored twice, cutting the Thrashers lead to 5-4. The outburst would end shortly after the second goal.

So what would be a proper moral to this game?

Easy, the Rangers must play a 60 minute game.

Tonight they will play another young team in the Carolina Hurricanes, and tomorrow night they will fly out to Toronto to play a hot Toronto Maple Leaf team. If the Rangers cannot play a full 60 minute game, instead of in small outbursts, they will not win these games.

The Hurricanes are similar to the Thrashers in the way that they will hurt the Rangers if they decide to get soft on them. The Carolina Hurricanes are not to be taken lightly, and I assume that will be addressed by the Rangers coaching staff.

60 minute efforts will be required by the Rangers to win, and not only these next two games, but for the whole season.

Remember consistency? The key to the Rangers passageway to a winning season?

The Rangers must find a consistent style of play whether it be an offensive “Attack-Attack-Attack!” style, or a defensive “stay back-stay back-stay back!” strategy. Whichever will help them win more often, and whichever they can play on a consistent basis, is the one they must choose.

Tonight should be an exciting game, and line swapping is expected. Evgeny Grachev was called up as a precaution and if he plays he will likely be on a line with Derek Stepan and possibly Alexander Frolov.

Derek Boogaard may be injured with an infected hand which was a result of a cut he received in a fight (with Shawn Thorton of the Boston Bruins). Michael Sauer is expected to be a healthy scratch again tonight (great job allowing your rookies to play, John Tortorella!) and both Artem Anisimov and Michael Rozsival are expected to be in the lineup tonight.

Thanks for the read, hope you enjoyed. Feel free to comment below.