Since going 2-0-0 to start the season, the Rangers have reeled off a stretch of successes in a 13-2 skid.
On Wednesday night, it was one more embarrassing ride on the Rangers over confidence tour of the NHL.
Taking 41 shots did not even get them enough tickets for the fuzzy bunny at the carnie booth. They were targeting the Isles crest and couldn’t even hit that with regularity.
Ilya Sorokin made 41 saves in the Isles win.
“He was outstanding,” Islanders coach Lane Lambert said. “He’s gained confidence, he’s gained so much in the time he’s been here, period.”
Kyle Palmieri hit for a double, his first gave the Isles a 1-0 lead in the middle frame.
Yes, the Rangers made everyone look like heroes in blue sweaters.
Really, that was more than enough against this Rangers team.
“It was just our overall commitment level,” Lambert said. “I thought that we played better, and so I’m glad they got rewarded for it tonight. They deserve it.”
The win ended a three-game skid by the Isles.
Well, of course it did.
“I was more concerned about the three games prior to last night,” Rangers coach Gerard Gallant said. “I thought we played hard last night — got a point against a real good hockey team — and tonight I thought we played a good, solid game for three periods. I like the way we’re playing. If we continue to play [like that], we’ll win.”
Sorry, that is just rose colored glasses assessment.
The Rangers are soft, again. There is no toughness on this bench.
Josh Bailey pushed the lead to 2-0 early in the third period.
“Against your rivals at home, you feel that extra boost and feels a little more like a playoff-type atmosphere,” Bailey said. “It’d be a little [more] tighter checking, and that’s what it felt like out there.”
Palmieri added his second for the 3-0 advantage late in the third period.
“It always feels good [to get back on track],” Palmieri said. “There were some things that we liked about our game over the weekend and maybe didn’t get rewarded for it, but this one’s obviously always a big one, especially at home. So, it felt really good to beat those guys.”
Jaroslav Halak made 26 saves in the loss, his third in regulation this season. His losses have been by an aggregate of 12-2.
“We’re confident in the group we have here,” Rangers captain Jacob Trouba said. “We know we can score goals. We’re getting opportunities, they’re just not going in. It is what it is. All we can do is keep working and eventually things are going to turn for us.”
You must be logged in to post a comment.