Rangers struggling to hold late leads

SAN JOSE, Calif. — For the Rangers, perhaps the brightest red flag in a season that appears destined to again lead to the Stanley Cup playoffs, is an alarming inability to maintain late leads.

After a 2-1 victory in Anaheim and a 4-3 overtime loss in Los Angeles, the Blueshirts conclude this three-game California trip against the Sharks on Saturday with a chance to capture five of a possible six points and then finish the season with seven of the last 10 games at home.

But surrendering a 3-1 lead in the third period against the Kings on Thursday added another file to the evidence folder: The Rangers are having recurrent issues in closing out games, a trait that was a strong point in recent seasons. In the last five minutes of regulation, when they have either been tied or had the lead, they have given up a goal 15 times.

On Thursday, the tying goal was controversial. With Tyler Toffoli planted in the crease, tangling with Ryan McDonagh, Anze Kopitar scored to knot the game at 3 with 4:10 left in regulation. Coach Alain Vigneault challenged the goal, arguing for goaltender interference, but the on-ice review upheld the ruling and prompted accusatory post-game reactions from Henrik Lundqvist and Derek Stepan.

“I can’t believe the refs, after watching it, can’t get it right,” said Lundqvist, who will be back in net against the Sharks on Saturday.

“It was goaltender interference. That’s it,” said Stepan. “It cost us two points.”

But even Lundqvist acknowledged that the Rangers are falling short when allowing late-game goals.

“When it comes down to making plays, we really put ourselves in a tough spot in the last five or six minutes,” he said. “We just have to be really smart with the puck. That’s been our recipe the last couple of years. In the last five or six minutes, you don’t give them much, and we did a good job.”

The Sharks, who are 39-25-6 with 84 points, and in third place in the Pacific Division, have virtually wrapped up a postseason berth. The Rangers (40-23-8, with 88 points) are still battling for positioning in the Metropolitan Division with 11 games left.

The Blueshirts are 35-3-2 when allowing two goals or fewer this season, and have won three straight against San Jose by an combined score of 11-1.