New York Rangers: If a 3-Goal Lead Isn't Enough, What Is?

The New York Rangers are a very perplexing hockey club. The Broadway Blueshirts have had their ups and downs, and just when they appear to have hit rock bottom, they find a way to drop down even further. 

To a casual onlooker or fan who caught the action in progress, the Rangers appeared to be in good shape with a 4-1 lead halfway through the third period. However, as die hard fans and pundits know, a three-goal lead is the unsafest in hockey.

As has been recapped practically everywhere, the Rangers went on to lose to the Ottawa Senators 4-3 in the shootout. To call it disappointing would be putting it mildly. This loss could prove to be utterly devastating.

For this Ranger team, chemistry was a big problem heading into the game. To shake things up this was the squad sent onto the ice.

Wojtek Wolski | Erik Christensen | Marian Gaborik

Brandon Dubinsky | Brad Richards (A) | Ryan Callahan (C)

Ruslan Fedotenko | Brian Boyle | Brandon Prust

Derek Stepan | Artem Anisimov | Kris Newbury

The most effective pairing in the game surprisingly was Gaborik and Richards, and they weren’t even on the ice together for a significant amount of time! Richards, Gaborik, and Wolski were able to connect for a goal after the Rangers killed off a penalty.

Callahan and Dubinsky were winded so Richards stepped on with Wolski and Gaborik. Wolski made a good play to force a turnover and Gaborik connected with Richards for a great one-timer.

The lesson here is simple: John Tortorella needs to give this top line a chance. Aside from taking a bad illegal shot to the head penalty on Daniel Alfredsson, Wolski played a solid game. This line can click if it is given the time it deserves.

AHL News and Notes

@stevezipaySteve ZipayTim Erixon, Kris Newbury assigned to AHL, no word on replacements yet6 hours ago via TweetDeck  Favorite  Retweet  Reply

After the devastating loss, defenseman Tim Erixon and forward Kris Newbury were assigned to the CT Whale. Erixon had played solid hockey up to this point, but he can always learn a thing or two in the AHL.

Twitter also provided the name of the Rangers’ next call up to take Newbury’s roster spot. The announcement came from the most unlikely person possible, and I have a funny feeling Rangers PR will be giving him a call.

Here is Carl Hagelin’s goodwill tweet. 

@CarlHagelinCarl HagelinBig win tonight! Good luck to my roommate Andre Deveaux on getting called up #dowork1 hour ago via web  Favorite  Retweet  Reply

Andre Deveaux is an interesting call up. When the news broke that Newbury was being assigned, many media members thought Hagelin was on his way up.

@AGrossRecordAndrew GrossNo word on any corresponding moves for #NYR. Possibilities include Hagelin coming up, Rupp healthy, maybe Stralman being signed.6 hours ago via HootSuite  Favorite  Retweet  Reply

Deveaux could be just a housekeeping move as Gross suggested if Rupp is in fact healthy. Erixon is just the same if Stralman is indeed signed.

The facts however remain the same as they did after the loss against Toronto. The Rangers need to play 60 minutes of consistent, smart, and offensively productive hockey.

It is always encouraging when a team scores four goals, but unless they can keep the team off the board after they score a goal, they are not playing to their full potential.

Looking Ahead

Tomorrow the Blueshirts will practice in preparation for their Halloween contest against Joe Thornton, Patrick Marleau, Joe Pavelski, and the San Jose Sharks. Monday night’s game should be challenging and fast-paced.

Stats and Facts

San Jose Sharks

| W: 6 | L: 3 | OTL: 0 | PTS: 12

Leadings Scorers

Goals: Joe Pavelski (8)
Assists: Patrick Marleau (6)
Points: Joe Pavelski (11)
+/-: Joe Thornton, Patrick Marleau, Douglas Murray, Marc-Edouard Vlasic (+6)

The New York Rangers certainly have their work cut out for them. In order to beat the Sharks, they can’t take bad penalties and will need to capitalize on man advantages. 

What do you think the final score of Monday’s game will be? How are you feeling after Saturday’s loss?

Leave interesting comments questions in the section below.

Tom Urtz Jr is an NHL Featured Columnist. For more NHL free-agent news, updates and alerts about players: