Rangers vs. Hurricanes: Two Very Ugly Points
Rangers steal one from Carolina despite playing like leftovers. Shesterkin shines, Laba pops, and the big-picture problems stay exactly the same.
- First of all, Happy Thanksgiving from all of us here at Blueshirt Banter to all of you and yours. We would not be able to do this without you, and your support means the world to us. Thank you for being a part of this.
- Eric and I recorded the podcast during the game, and while we were talking about the New York Rangers leading the Carolina Hurricanes despite playing like crap, I wondered how different the conversation around this team would have been if they won four of five of the early games at MSG that they should have won based on how they played. It does make me wonder what the talking points would be right now.
- That said, and let me be clear about this: It doesn't change that this is a deeply flawed roster that just isn't as good as advertised. Some of that is injuries, and some of that has been bad luck, but it doesn't change the fact that this group is not likely to win a playoff series.
- Carolina was one of the first real tests for the Rangers coming out of this pretty easy stretch of their schedule. And, as expected, Carolina sort of routed the Rangers top to bottom. Igor Shesterkin was a monster, the Rangers actually scored some goals (including one into the empty net!), and pulled off a win. They deserved a few of those earlier in the year, so this was at least somewhat nice to see.
- Again, it doesn't change anything about what this team actually is, but it's nice to see.
