Rangers just didn't get the point(s)
Atlanta Thrashers' Rob Schremp, center, celebrates with teammates Dustin Byfuglien (33) and Andrei Zubarev (51) after scoring a goal during the second period of an NHL hockey game. (April 7, 2011) Credit: AP
These were must-have points Thursday night, another game for the Rangers in which they had to win to keep control of their playoff destiny.
They had to have energy. They had to have grit. They had to be relentless and not get frustrated by not having Ryan Callahan, the heart and soul of their team, or if they flubbed a few chances early, which they did against the eliminated Thrashers.
They had to have it, and the Rangers didn't have it at all. And now they have to watch, wait and hope the Hurricanes or Sabres falter Friday night to give them a shot.
"We knew what was at stake," Marc Staal said. "It was a big game for us."
And the Rangers came up woefully small, from an ineffective -- and benched, for at least the final 12 minutes -- Marian Gaborik on down the line.
"It was a team effort," John Tortorella said. He didn't mean the good kind, the kind the Rangers had in Philadelphia on Sunday to maintain their slim lead over Carolina for the final playoff berth.
Tortorella didn't want to dissect another letdown against a non-playoff opponent. It was a week ago when the Rangers failed in a similar manner, a 6-2 loss to the Islanders that stung.
Thursday night, with the finish line even closer, was worse. After Artem Anisimov shot a rebound right into Thrashers goaltender Ondrej Pavelec a few minutes in, the Rangers sagged. After Brian Boyle rang one off the post in the second, the Rangers sagged again, and this time it cost them, with two Thrashers goals in 15 seconds stunning the home side.
"You would think we would come out with some fire in our eyes," said Vinny Prospal, who sparked the rally from 3-0 down to the Bruins on Monday but could not provide the energy again. "We didn't have anything. After two big games we've won, this is a big letdown."
Tortorella added: "All we lost tonight was control." He meant their playoff lives, with the Hurricanes facing these same Thrashers Friday night in Atlanta and the Sabres hosting the Flyers. A regulation loss for the 'Canes, and the Rangers need only a point Saturday against the Devils to clinch; two points for Carolina, and the Rangers not only need a win over New Jersey, they need to hope for help from the Lightning Saturdayin Raleigh.
It's a painful situation, and one that was easily preventable. Brandon Prust, who got the Steven McDonald Extra Effort award before Thursday night's game, played the sort of straight-ahead, hard-nosed game the Rangers needed. So did Boyle. But the rest, Gaborik most notably, were disconnected, unable to get their legs moving and their sticks on loose pucks.
This is all too similar to last season's stretch run, which was keyed by the muckers and grinders, forwards such as Prust and Jody Shelley, who outshined Gaborik and Brandon Dubinsky in the most crucial time of the season.
The Rangers have built a reputation as a tough team, not a tough line or two or a tough defensive pair. When they lose, as they did Thursday night and a week ago on the Island, they look as if they've played only a handful of games together, unable to freelance into anything effective.
They had to have that team effort, that unity they've worked so hard to develop. Instead, they have to watch and hope someone else comes up short.
The Dolan family owns controlling interests in the Rangers, MSG and Cable- vision. Cablevision owns Newsday.
Sarra Sounds Off Ep 36: Champs crowned in lax and flag football On the latest episode of "Sarra Sounds Off," Gregg talks with Michael Sicoli and Tess Ferguson about county champs crowned in boys and girls lacrosse, and Jared Valuzzi reports on the Long Island flag football championship.
