Rangers vs. Jets: Numbness in the Great White North
The Rangers played better than they did against Columbus. But they still lost and got zero points out of it. There are no moral victories to be had.
- In a different and far more normal season, you might look at this game against one of the top teams in the league and take some positives away from it. Perhaps you can still do a little of that. The Rangers lost by only one goal to a team now tied with the Washington Capitals for the league lead with 94 points (though slightly behind the Caps in points percentage). They had their chances against one of the best goaltenders in the league in Connor Hellebuyck. They came painfully close to tying it in the waining seconds of the game. Yada yada yada.
- But, after the games the Rangers played against Ottawa and Columbus—two teams they're theoretically fighting with for a playoff spot—it's hard to draw any moral victories from this game. Moral victories don't exist, in the first place. They don't get you points in the standings. They don't move you into playoff position. So, in reality, this loss—whether it was by one goal or eight—is just another loss for a bad New York Rangers team better fit for tee times than playoff time.
- I said two days ago that I'm divorcing myself from caring about how Peter Laviolette fills out the lineup card. So, in keeping with that, I'll just note the only lineup change for this game was Arthur Kaliyev in for Brett Berard. Here's what Laviolette had to say about Berard, who has looked good when he's played, being out:
Laviolette on the decision to scratch Berard:
— Vince Z. Mercogliano (@vzmercogliano) March 11, 2025
"It’s 12 forwards that can go in, and so, it's tough. But he’s a young player. You can see the energy. We talk with him and work with him on the game and the defensive part of it to try and continue to grow his game and improve his…
- Thanks again, Coach ChatGPT.
- Adam Fox is traveling with the team and was on the ice for the morning skate in a non-contact jersey. This raises a very important question: Why? Look, I know, I know. Hockey culture and all that. They're still in playoff contention and all that. The power play has not looked good without him and all that. But between what we all presume to be some nagging effects of the injuries he suffered last season, as well as the most recent one that knocked him out of the lineup, it's just better for everyone to put him on the shelf until next year. But, whatever.
- Jonny Lazarus summed up pretty well how I feel about these Rangers games the next few weeks:
When you stare too long into the Rangers abyss... https://t.co/7riTXiqD5U
— Blueshirt Banter (@BlueshirtBanter) March 12, 2025
- I supposed I should say a few things about the actual game. The Rangers played better. Not convincingly so, and the bar was so very low after they crapped the bed against Columbus, but it was better. If they'd played like this against the Blue Jackets and then got run out of the building by the Jets, you'd understand it. But this is a season where understanding is hard to come by.
