Devils Burn Rangers, Another Poor Performance by Rangers

Flashes of individual efforts do not win games in the NHL. The Rangers were outplayed in every aspect of the game by a Devils team that played with a sense of urgency and intensity the Rangers did not seem to care to match. They were beaten to the majority of the loose pucks and were outworked at both ends of the ice for the large majority of the game. The Rangers seem to be caught in sinkhole of incompetence and indifference. They are a team desperate for a leader to emerge or they will continue to sink into the depths of mediocrity.

There is a laundry list of things the Rangers did wrong tonight. But the most disheartening mistake they committed was they were outworked as a team. In that regard, they were dominated by the blue collar Devils. Although there was some positive plays by Lauri Korpikoski, Marc Staal and Nigel Dawes, they were totally outplayed. It was disheartening to see another poor performance of this magnitude by a team that looks to be spiraling down the drain.

Changes need to be made. Last night's game only gave credence to this idea. A trade of some kind is required. As an outsider, it is difficult to say for who, since knowledge of which players might be readily available is limited. But some new blood needs to be brought into that locker room. Brendan Shanahan needs to be signed. If he has not already thought about retiring, this team could use his leadership in the locker room and on the ice. The inhumane treatment of Petr Prucha needs to be stopped for the team's own good. A performing Petr Prucha would be a big pick-me-up for the team.

There have been no rumblings about Renney’s job security (except among Ranger fans) that would indicate he is in any danger of being canned. But it is becoming more and more evident that he is wrong for this team.  From his incompetent coaching staff to his bogus line combinations, everything he does of late seems to have a negative impact on the Rangers performance.

This team needs help.