New York Rangers

Rangers Hitting Rock Bottom as Players Question Each Other

The New York Rangers hit a new low after a 5-1 loss, leaving fans at Madison Square Garden booing for the second time this season.

by
NHL Trade Talk
December 14, 2024

For the second time this season, the New York Rangers left their home ice at Madison Square Garden to a chorus of boos. Following a humiliating 5-1 loss to the Los Angeles Kings on Saturday afternoon, the Rangers’ season is reaching a critical point. Are more trades coming? Is a coaching change going to be required? There are roster questions for the Rangers that need to be answered.

The team’s performance was lackluster from the opening faceoff, allowing the Kings to dominate early and often. Los Angeles, one of the NHL’s hottest teams, scored three goals in a span of 2:18 during the second period, turning a manageable 2-0 deficit into a 5-0 blowout. Star goaltender Igor Shesterkin was pulled just 25 minutes into the game.

Head coach Peter Laviolette didn’t mince words about the team’s poor start. “The first period needs to be a whole lot better than what it was with regard to our energy, our execution, our speed, our attitude – all of that needed to be a lot better,” he said.

Rangers players echoed the frustration. Veteran defenseman Ryan Lindgren pointed to a lack of grit, saying, “We’re too easy to play against, and we’ve got to be a hell of a lot better.” Vincent Trocheck and Chris Kreider both cited a lack of effort as the core issue.

The Rangers Have Serious Roster Questions

The loss drops the Rangers to 3-9-0 in their last 12 games and 15-13-1 on the season. This slump has left fans and analysts questioning how a roster so similar to last year’s could appear so unproductive. The only answer is that there seems to be an issue in the locker room and with the group’s leadership — something that didn’t improve with the Jacob Trouba trade.

With no easy fixes in sight, the Rangers face pivotal decisions. They either find a way to reignite their season and risk falling out of playoff contention entirely or realize this isn’t the group to get it done. Kreider made it clear when he said, “It’s going to take a lot more effort to get out of this.” If this team isn’t willing to put in the effort, the Rangers need players who will.

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