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The Rangers endured a nightmare opening weekend, dropping two straight and surrendering nine goals in the process.

With that in mind, perhaps no team in the NHL needed a two-day break to get it together more than the Blueshirts. They certainly haven't been dealt any favors, opening the season with back-to-back games against two legitimate Stanley Cup contenders, Boston and Pittsburgh, and then seeing the Bruins again tomorrow at the Garden.

But they haven't done themselves any favors either, especially defensively, by leaving goalie Henrik Lundqvist exposed. Lundqvist, the reigning Vezina Trophy winner and arguably the Rangers most indispensable player last season, was hauled off midway through the second period after giving up his fourth goal to the Penguins.

Coach John Tortorella blamed the defense in front of Lundqvist for his struggles, and it's not hard to see his point. The blueliners have been all over the place defensively, struggles that can largely be attributed to the quick comeback after the lockout.

That excuse, however valid, doesn't cut it for Rangers players, especially since every other team in the league is going through the same situation.

"We can't use the 'early in the season' thing," Brad Richards told reporters after Sunday's game. "The only good thing is we're four points out of first in the division. We can't let it snowball."