Listless in Vancouver
The disturbing trend of not showing up in the first period on the road showed up once again for these Rangers. From start to finish, the Vancouver Canucks took it to this slumping squad and the final score was indicative of the one-sided effort, Vancouver 4 – New York 1. Regardless of what team you play, if you’re not ready to compete and outwork the opposition, you will get beat and beat often. As was the case last night, as well as in Long Island and in Minnesota, the visiting team from Manhattan refused to compete in the opening period of each game. If it wasn’t for Henrik Lundqvist in each game, all could have gotten out of hand in quick order. Same sh!t, different city.
Ex-Ranger Mikael Samuelsson scored twice, Andrew Raycroft was solid when called upon and Ryan Kessler was the best player in the world last night. Those three led the M*A*S*H* units Canucks over a relatively healthy(at least physically) Rangers team. If I could put my finger on the problem, I would notify John Tortorella immediately and clue him in, but I can’t. It can’t just be that the Rangers don’t have enough secondary scoring, although that would be a good place to start. To me, there’s more of an effort issue with this bunch. They work in spurts, seemingly unable to put a whole 60 minutes of hockey together. I would be able to live with losing if the team gave it their all, but they haven’t and haven’t done so in quite sometime.
Quite ironic that a day after they annoint their second alternate captain, Vinny Prospal, I am questioning the leadership on this team. It’s bad enough Chris Drury has become a non-factor offensively, he also isn’t rallying the troops enough off ice as well. The 7-million blackhole is killing this team in more ways than one. Not only is he failing to produce credible offensive numbers, his other job, that of team leader seems to leave a lot to be desired as well. This has to turn around and fast if Drury wants to remain here for the duration of his contract.
The other so-called leader, Ryan Callahan, apparently is following in the captain’s footsteps this season, as he has lost his way from last season’s strong finish. Maybe he is playing hurt but that is just speculation on my behalf. He needs to pick his game up too, he looks absolutely miserable out there.
The Rangers have relied on a few players to lift the rest of this slumping bunch to restore order and get back on the winning track. But Henrik Lundqvist, Marian Gaborik and Vin Prospal need help. Others have to step it up and if they can’t they need to take a seat and make room for others who can. Is it time to panic yet?
