Rangers Summary: Rangers are still winless in back-to-backs

With just one game left before the holidays, the Rangers surprise us all by still being winless in the second half of a back-to-back this season. There is a sickness in the locker room, which certainly played a role in last night’s loss in Nashville. But on the other hand, this team just can’t stand it There are no more stinkers like this. The Rangers scored one goal in the last second on seventeen total shots against a poor Nashville Predators team. The only silver lining was Jonathan Quick, who could be a decent trade deadline acquisition for a contender if he wants to win another Cup.

Quick was an absolute force, stopping 30 of 31 shots and doing just about everything he could to give the Rangers a chance to win. Unfortunately, the team in front of him (and Igor Shesterkin) cannot sustain the attack consistently enough to meet their goalkeepers at halfway. Missing JT Miller, Gabe Perreault and Adam Fox didn’t help, but the team still had Artemi Panarin, Mika Zibanejad, Vincent Trocheck and Alexis Lafreniere.

As we approach the holidays, I’m thinking about that awful no-show game against the Devils right before the holidays last season. That was the metaphorical nail in the coffin last year. Was last night’s loss to Nashville this season’s version? It is becoming increasingly difficult to find spaces in the upcoming schedule where they should go.

We’re trying to stay optimistic here, but boy is Brennan Othmann a great example of not capitalizing on value when you had the chance. Othmann just isn’t an NHL player. He has a great shot, but that’s it. Maybe it’s nerves or stress knowing this might be his last shot, but he missed the net some yesterday or partially fueled some chances. Years ago, when Othmann was putting up ridiculous numbers in the OHL, people really thought the shooting ability would translate to the minor and NHL levels, and that just hasn’t been the case. Thinking back over the past few years and what the Rangers could have had if they had made him available.

This is another great example of the fact that it is better to trade someone a year too early than a year too late.

With Adam Fox hopefully returning soon, the Rangers will be faced with an interesting lineup decision. Given the numbers game, Scott Morrow will likely be sent down. He shouldn’t, if only to see if he can continue what has been a decent piece of play, but not without its imperfections. He needs time in the NHL. The Rangers need the ability to move the puck and are strong enough defensively that Morrow can learn on the fly to improve his defensive game. Morrow should stick with Urho Veelanainen or Carson Soucy, both known entities at this point.

Just play for the kids, let them grow. Look what they are. It’s not like this season is going anywhere.