The Ducks were quacking at MSG last night in what turned into an embarrassing ending to a meeeting of old friends. The usual Ranger problems were on display at the worst of times and it is certain many will second guess the coach’s decision to bench Zibanejad for missing a team meeting rather than some lesser punishment.
While each team had a few chances in the first, there was no scoring until 07:18 of the second period when the Rangers gave up a very sad SHG to LaCombe (5) just as a 5 on 3 was expiring. Shesterkin was unable to control and cover the rebound on the first shot from the streaking Poehling which was batted at by LaCombe before appearing to go in off of Cuylle’s skate. 1-0 Ducks.
The Rangers got their one and only goal complements of the Duck’s goalie who own goaled a hard rising shot by Robertson – Dostal had his stick raised in the air for the deflection in. Initially the goal was disallowed as the refs believed Trocheck hit it in with a high stick but video review showed otherwise. Panarin (23) and Lafreniere (11) with assists and so ends the second period tied at one apiece.
Not quite six minutes into the third, Gauthier (17) scored a PPG, beating Shesterkin cleanly with a hard shot from the high slot. There was no screen and no move from Shesterkin who appeared to be guessing pass. 2-1 Ducks.
While the Rangers did go to the 6-5 to try to get the point, they only had five shots the entire period against a not so high end Ducks defense. The result was two late ENG goals, Gauthier (18) for his second of the night and the last by Mintyukov (3) at 19:38 and 19:57.
Not much time to think about this one as the Rangers are back at it again tonight.
Game summary below:
The Rangers next game is home against the Vancouver Canucks Tuesday evening 16 December at 19:00 EST. Telecast by MSG.
49 responses to “Rangers 1, Ducks 4”
I wouldn’t mind seeing Robertson get a spin at point on PP1. Keeps first pair off the ice and as noted by others, he seems to get his shot on/near the net.
Beezle
Thanks for the post game. I don’t know how you do it. This team deserves a post game fron Alfred Newman! This team belongs on the cover of Mad Magazine.
You can’t complain about coach making vets accountable and complain when the coach actually makes a vet accountable. Last year’s team would have rebelled and sulked. Sully trying to change the culture
yes, hold accountable – is missing the game the only punishment to dole out? If that is the standard, then fine; but have to wonder if there was another way to hold accountable and not short hand the team.
fining millionaires doesn’t do it ….Barzal just got benched a month ago ..don’t recall any outrage
got it; accountable for off-ice bs, not ongoing on-ice performance (Laughy)
Soucy at +8 is a stat that just stands out; guy has been playing well.
you have team rules or you don’t have team rules. On ice performance is still miles ahead of last season
Guy LaBerard.
Rangers should employ the 5 forwards even when not on pp.
Guaranteed a goal.
I see both sides of the Zibanejad discussion. A rule is a rule, and Zibanejad broke it. But did it have to be for the full game? Maybe make Zibanejad sit on
the bench for the first period? Scratching him hurt the team.
I think it’s important to enforce the team rules across the board without special treatment. Agree with Bobby on that. Important for the culture and expectations.
Short term pain in this scenerio hopefully better for the greater good.
Good writeup Beezle. Only thing I disagree with was the gautier twister
What a quick release and I think he used Soucy as a screen
Twister wrister
I agree with sitting Mika for the game. Everyone needs to follow the team rules, otherwise what’s the point of having them.
With that said, I agree with SN that there also needs to be accountability for on ice performance, or lack thereof. How Laffy gets to dress for every game and get top minutes is a disgrace. Too many players are allowed to coast through games playing at 50-75% effort. Three coaches in a row have allowed the core favorites to coast from game to game. Until that changes, we will be watching garbage hockey.
Not sure if they are coasting… Top forwards are old and slow with excepton of Laffy who maybe just sucks. Would still bench him to see if it has any effect
Of course, none of us know what exactly the team rules are. Does Sully have them listed on the blackboard with expected punishment? Somehow I doubt that. While true that the season is a long one, the league is so hyper competitive that literally one game can mean postseason or not. From that standpoint I do think it was unfair the burden Sully put on the rest of the team (who clearly did not step up enough) to make his point.
I think he made his point to the young guys who are staying
Sully inherited a real mess. He signed up for it. He’s trying to change the culture. Blah Blah Blah! I agree with Bobbyo, I can’t believe I said that, but he’s right. The core is old and slow and Lafreniere either sux or lacks ball bearings. So until this circus 🎪 is retooled, rebuilt, re-whatevered we are screwed!
Oh one last thing the Twerkin signing was Drury’s biggest blunder!
Top forwards are killing them but do we need to see any more of Berard or Sheary.. Can’t Othman get 10 -20 games on 3rd line to see if anything might be there?
Othmann was an awful pick
Very nice standing ovation for Kreider
Seems that the haters sold which is a good thing
Drury picked Mothman 1 selection before Wyatt Johnson. CLUELESS!
Kreids put on a show ..zero shots .. 2 hits from a generous scorekeeper
Chemlar looks more useful than Laffy lately
Or he should at least play over brodude and sherry
Nice to see that finally people are saying what I’ve been saying since the 1st month of the season. This team is not good and not going anywhere in the future. There needs to be major changes but with Dolan as the owner good luck. When the Ducks scored to make it 2-1 I knew game was over. The top 6 of the rangers is dreadful and they only have maybe one decent line. This is a bad team not to mention a over paid overrated goalie. Also, Laugh fan yer is terrible. I watched him closely last night, he sucks.
The farm system isn’t that good either so until the rangers organization gets a clue on drafting it will be a long time before the rangers are a good team again.
tommyG
Unfortunately truth spoken.
Mollie on post game presser told Sullivan she wasn’t at the pre-game session so she wanted to ask about Meeka benching again. Sully not happy..she’s a dope
Besides the benching, did Zibanejad get fined? If not, the punishment was really to the team rather than him.
the punishment was for those who paid to watch..whether he played or not
Zib situation ‘solution’ blatant self-serving by the Coach on numerous levels. Figure them out. Public benching unnecessary and loser’s way out of what should have been a more adroitly handled affair. Now everybody knows he’s compassionate but fair and tough. He thinks.
#20 sure did a ton of spitting during accolades. Nervous Nellie. A tad off-putting, but nice to see the humility/humanity.
Bubble team still bubbling around outside the WC spots with the most games played.
What’s the over/under on how many years until another goalie signs a $90M contract. 5?
Mollie is proof that the profession is dead
If her rabbit acts up, she has a bad hare day.
Kreider was rode out of town on a rail by Dreary because it was time to go but the fans remember the most clutch playoff scorer they have seen wearing a blueshirt in the past 20+ seasons. his reaction just showing who he is; i’m sure not lost of players on both sides watching the crowd’s hearty cheers.
folks like to forget recent history (2012-24) but the team had the longest stretch of prolonged success in its history (4 50+ reg season wins and 13 playoff rounds won)and won more playoff series than the early 90’s Cup Champs, but alas, did not hoist the chalice.
Coach should order The Persian Version to acquire three estimates for a haircut to submit to Dolan for fiscal year-end additional budget considerations.
Time to go, or victim of not having the full NMC? Is this team better positioned for a turnaround with No Chris Yes Mika? Potato potato?
turnaround was not gonna happen with either
Whats up, kids? How’s the season going so far?
GGMM: #NYR head coach Mike Sullivan wouldn’t say who would come out for Mika Zibanejad tonight, said “everybody else will be a game-time decision.”
Jonathan Quick in goal vs. Vancouver.
For reference, Levshunov is 20 years old
Sneak preview: Go Time at 18:50 EST
Do the Rangers take Vancouver for granted tonight? Play down to their opponent? I will not be surprised if they do.
A mediocre team doesn’t play down to a mediocre opponent.