I am probably nitpicking here. The Rangers came home from the road from a perfect road trip and they did get a point against a pretty good Vancouver team.
So, there can’t be too many complaints. Can there be?
But the Rangers did blow a lead with just two minutes left in the game, so we have to complain about something.
Right?
Well, here it is: If the Rangers are going to continue to go on these track-meets and play hockey like they are in Edmonton circa 1983, they will come away with more, bitter loser points, especially with Cam Talbot in goal.
“Anytime you score four goals you want to win the game,” Talbot said. “Obviously you never want to give up chances like that and goals like that. Four goals should be enough most nights and that’s on me. I have to come up with the way to make the extra save.”
This will be the cost of doing business for the Blueshirts until the King can come back to his throne. Talbot may be blaming himself, but no one is blaming No. 33 for giving up so many goals. He’s naked out there and the blame needs to go on the defense which seems to have taken the last week off.
“I know we are trying to [play defense] consistently,” said coach Alain Vigneault. “Sometimes you have to give credit to the opposition. They were short a couple of players, especially on the backend. A few players raised their level. We had a lot of guys that played all right, but not good enough to win.”
The Rangers have been fortunate for the past decade with Lundqvist in goal. The King covers up these sins, while allowing the offense to play liberally. Also, because of the confidence in No. 30, there isn’t pressure on the offense to put up a five-spot every night.
Right now, you live by the sword and die by it.
Unless, Vigneault pulls the Talbot and hands the reigns to Mackenzie Skapski or Sather makes a trade, this will be the cost of doing business for the near future. Again, no one is blaming Talbot. He’s playing pretty well given the circumstances, but there’s a reason why he’s Lundqvist’s backup.
As the great equalizer, Lundqvist saves the Rangers bacon more times than not. He is able to make the tough saves out there, where Talbot is left exposed.
The team needs to come together on this or a winning streak can turn into a losing streak very, easily.
And there will be no nitpicking there.