Rangers: Home disaster contrasts with their away success; What’s happening?

Rangers: Road Dominance Contrasts with Home Performance

The Rangers, with an impressive road record of 11 wins, the best in the NHL, show a contrasting performance on their own turf. After outstanding victories in Carolina and Boston, and a streak of three consecutive wins, the Rangers fell to the Tampa Bay Lightning at home with a score of 4-1. This loss worsened the Rangers’ record at Madison Square Garden to 2-8-1, having scored only three goals in eight regulation losses.

We didn’t have our best game.

Rangers Coach, Mike Sullivan

This inconsistency at home is a notable change for a team that dominated at MSG just two seasons ago, with a record of 30-11-0 and 114 points, the best in the league. The season began with a home loss to the Pittsburgh Penguins, followed by shutouts against Washington and Edmonton, and a single goal in a loss to Minnesota. After losing in overtime against San Jose, the Rangers were silenced again by Carolina and the Islanders, before achieving a home victory in their eighth attempt, against Nashville. Subsequently, they suffered losses to Detroit and St. Louis. The Rangers’ lack of offense reached new levels against the Lightning, being outshot 11-2 in the first period and 16-7 in the second.

They were more energetic than us today. They were ready for every battle.

Rangers Captain, J.T. Miller

Miller, who scored the Rangers’ only goal on Saturday, expressed his frustration. The captain, named before this season, replaced Jacob Trouba. Vincent Trocheck, assistant captain, emphasized the importance of maintaining a positive mentality.

This game is mainly mental. It’s up to you to fight negativity.

Vincent Trocheck, assistant captain of the Rangers

The Rangers will have a day off on Sunday, before practicing on Monday and facing the Dallas Stars at home on Tuesday. The following weekend will present even greater challenges with the visit of the Colorado Avalanche and Vegas. The Rangers will play seven of their next ten games at home, looking to replicate their away success on their own ice.

It’s about focusing on one game at a time.

Vincent Trocheck, Rangers assistant captain

Mika Zibanejad, the team’s most veteran player, understood the fans’ reaction after the defeat. Coach Sullivan added that defenseman Adam Fox will be evaluated after receiving a hard hit during Saturday’s game. Fox assisted on Miller’s goal and is tied for the team lead in points with 26.