The New York Rangers continued their audition tour for those lucky enough to escape the roster this trade season.
On Saturday, they let former Ranger Derick Brassard (goal and three points) lead the Ottawa Senators to a 6-3 win.
Marian Gaborik and Nick Shore joined the Sens this week after a trade with the Los Angeles Kings. It was short jump for both as the Kings are in norther New York state this weekend.
“You bring some different faces in and there’s different energy in the room,” Brassard said. “I feel like we’ve been playing pretty much this way for a while.
“We don’t want to take some steps back. We want to keep pushing forward and try to improve as a team. Even if we’re not happy with where we’re at right now, I think we just have to keep pushing every game.”
Craig Anderson made 32 saves for the win.
Matt Duchene, Mark Stone, Thomas Chabot, Johnny Oduya, and Magnus Paajarvi all scored for the Sens.
“It was a great game by everyone on the team, but on [defense] especially,” Chabot said. “When we look at guys like Ceci, had himself a really good night. [Borowiecki] was jumping in and using his speed. So, I think everyone was included and all the defensemen played a really good game.”
Michael Grabner continued to do his level best to get off Broadway with two goals (24, 25).
“We’ve just got to really focus on that first shift next game,” the Rangers’ Brady Skjei said. “The nice thing is we’ve got less than 24 hours to play another game, so we’ve got to put this one behind us and really focus on [the Philadelphia Flyers] and come out with a good team effort.”
Mika Zibanejad added a single marker for the Rangers as the club just spirals listlessly in space.
It is now embarrassing to watch these games and think there was ever a chance the playoff window was even ajar this season.
Injuries have played a a part but so has every team suffered through the same; these Rangers are just empty sweaters hoping to be voted off the island of Manhattan.
[WATCH:Â All Rangers vs. Senators highlights]
Henrik Lundqvist got the start and made 22 saves before getting the hook after two periods.
“The first period, in general, we just didn’t win enough battles,” the Rangers’ great disappearing act Rick Nash said. “I wish I had an answer for you guys because we talk about it before every single game, is to come out strong, keep it simple early, have a great start, and we’re just not performing good enough at the start of games.”
Brandon Halverson mopped up in the third period and and made five saves in his first NHL appearance.
“We need everybody to chip in in our own end. Offensively, I think it will take care of itself. We just need to commit in our own end, do the right thing, and the rest will take care of itself,” Lundqvist said.
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