After last night's game against the Calgary Flames the New York Rangers need to stay focused on the next, so they can continue to fight for a spot in the playoffs. They will have to focus on playing their game which they failed to do last night.
The New York Rangers are 4th in the Metropolitan Division, with a 33-30-6 record and 72 points in the rankings.
That puts them below the Montreal Canadiens who own the 2nd wild card spot in the Eastern Conference.
If they hope to catch the Canadiens who only have 73 points, they will need to impose their game on their opposition, like the Flames who'd outscore them 2-1.
For a team whose core has mostly stayed intact, it's unforgivable that the Rangers and Peter Laviolette would lose to a rebuilding team.
The lack of offense was apparent.
«It was a disappointing game for us,» Braden Schneider said. «Obviously a big two points that we missed out on. I think all we can do is turn the page and flip to tomorrow
«We came out a little flat and we just weren't executing the way we wanted to. I think everyone in our room is disappointed, but we can't sulk on it for too long.»
«We came out a little flat and we just weren't executing the way we wanted to. I think everyone in our room is disappointed, but we can't sulk on it for too long.»
Will Cuylle and Artemi Panarin would be the only Rangers players with a point last night!
Now, instead of dwelling on another loss this season, defenseman Braden Schneider wants to win.
That is where they're directing their energy towards, but can they put it into practice as well?
«It's intense,» Schenider said of the mood in the locker room. «Everyone has the same goal and everyone wants to win. I think everyone knowing what we need to do, we are ready for it. I think everyone is excited and knows what needs to be done to move forward.»
It seems like the Rangers organization as a whole have figured out how to work the press and talk a good game.
But when it comes down to playing the game of hockey themselves, they check out of the game, remain unfocused, and lack any passion on the ice.
A death knell for a team that had higher aspirations this season.
Let's not even start on Matt Rempe's penalty last night.
