A dispiriting home loss for the Rangers as they were outclassed by the Lightning, leaving fans with a sense of despair.
The Rangers, back at Madison Square Garden, had an opportunity to extend their winning streak, but instead, they stumbled, appearing lost and outworked. The Lightning dominated, outshooting the Rangers 35-11, and claiming a convincing 4-1 victory.
While Tampa Bay celebrated their seventh consecutive win and revenge for an earlier defeat, the Rangers added another chapter of embarrassment at home, where their record stands at a disappointing 2-8-1. Interestingly, the Rangers have been a different beast on the road, boasting an NHL-leading 11 wins and an impressive 3.43 goals per game average.
After a season start dominated by away games, the Rangers now have a chance to settle into a home stretch, with six out of their next eight games at Madison Square Garden, starting with a Tuesday clash against Dallas.
The game began with the Rangers struggling to get a shot on net for nearly 10 minutes, while the Lightning dominated possession and shot attempts. It was a one-sided affair, with the Rangers unable to test the backup goaltender and struggling to break through a Lightning defense missing three key players.
But here’s where it gets controversial… Despite the Rangers’ defensive struggles, it could have been a blowout if not for the heroics of Igor Shesterkin, who made 31 saves and kept his team in the game. However, even with his efforts, the Lightning still managed to take a 1-0 lead late in the first period, thanks to a lucky bounce and some poor defensive play by the Rangers.
The Rangers finally got a power play opportunity, but even with the man advantage, they failed to convert, managing just two shots on net in the first period.
After the break, the Rangers struggled to find any rhythm, and soon conceded a second goal to the Lightning, with Tampa’s leading scorer capitalizing on a rebound. The Rangers’ offensive stars were largely silent, with key players like J.T. Miller, Mika Zibanejad, and Will Cuylle failing to register a shot on net.
And this is the part most people miss… The Rangers did manage to cut the deficit in half late in the second period, with Adam Fox setting up Miller for a tap-in. But it was too little, too late.
The Lightning regained their two-goal lead early in the third period, and despite the Rangers getting another power play opportunity, they couldn’t convert, with the crowd’s groans and eventually, boos, echoing through the arena.
So, what’s your take on this? Do you think the Rangers can turn it around at home, or is this a sign of deeper issues? Feel free to share your thoughts and opinions in the comments below!