Rangers vs. Blues: 3 things to watch for starting road trip after embarrassing loss
In desperate need of a bounce-back performance and some stability in their overall game, the New York Rangers open a three-game road trip Sunday night against the St. Louis Blues.
They hit the road in crisis mode. The Rangers played a stunningly poor game in a 5-1 loss to the Los Angeles Kings at home Saturday and are 3-9-0 in their past 12 games. In a disappointing season, this may have been the low point — though there’s much competition for that distinction.
“This is bad,” an outwardly angry coach Peter Laviolette said postgame.
He’s grown increasingly more testy by the loss, as what appeared to be a slump has morphed into an absolute freefall.
With their coach’s job likely on the line, the Rangers (15-13-1) start a manageable road swing, when they’ll play the Blues, Nashville Predators and Dallas Stars — the last game being the most difficult by far. Things have been better on the road for the Rangers, who are 8-5-0 away from Madison Square Garden and a miserable 7-8-1 on home ice. But right now, nothing comes easy for the Blueshirts.
The last time the Rangers faced the Blues, they lost 5-2 at MSG on Nov. 26, their third straight defeat in what was a five-game losing streak. That was Jim Montgomery’s first game after being named Blues coach. The Blues (14-14-3) are 4-2-3 under Montgomery, coming off a 2-1 shootout loss to the Stars on Saturday.
Related: 3 Rangers takeaways from brutal loss to Kings
3 things to watch for when Rangers visit Blues
1. Rangers need answers
After a non-competitive showing Saturday, the Rangers need to find answers in St. Louis against a mediocre opponent. The lack of compete level was galling against the Kings, so, at minimum, the Rangers need to bring much more collective effort against the Blues.
Of course, they also need to generate a heckuva lot more offense and be far less sloppy defensively. The eye test was all you need Saturday, but the numbers were terrible, too. Their 0.36 xGF, per Natural Stat Trick, spoke volumes.
Simply, it’s got to be so much better against the Blues.
2. Shaky depth on defense
It was one thing trying to get by and replace Jacob Trouba’s 20+ minutes per game after the veteran defenseman was traded to the Anaheim Ducks. But it’s a whole other thing also trying to replace K’Andre Miller’s 20+ minutes with the 24-year-old on IR with an upper-body injury. That was obvious against the Kings.
The third pair of Zac Jones and Victor Mancini had a miserable afternoon, continuing their defensive struggles. They were on for three goals against, and Mancini had five giveaways in the game. The Rangers had a 0.12 xGF with the rookie on the ice 5v5. It’s a disturbing trend of defensive issues for Mancini, who’s expected to replace Trouba in the lineup, if not take over his role. Braden Schneider is handling those duties.
Connor Mackey was fine stepping in for Miller, including a first-period fight shortly after the Kings’ first goal. But he’s not a long-term answer. And the top pair wasn’t so good, with Ryan Lindgren’s struggles ongoing and Adam Fox dragged down, as well.
3. Have to score first
Listen, the Rangers are frontrunners these days. The team you remember that never was out of any game because there was no quit last season? Yeah, forget it. These Rangers need to play from ahead or else it’s more likely than not they won’t find a way to win.
The Rangers are 12-2-0 when scoring first and 3-11-1 when they give up the first goal. After the loss Saturday, they’re 1-8-0 when trailing after one period and 0-10-1 when trailing after two. Their a fragile team right now, one with little pushback when required. So, yes, a fast start is required Sunday.
New York Rangers projected lineup
Panarin – Trocheck – Lafreniere
Kreider – Zibanejad – Smith
Cuylle – Chytil – Kakko
Edstrom – Carrick – Berard
Lindgren – Fox
Mackey – Schneider
Jones – Mancini
Quick
Shesterkin
Rangers vs. Blues: When, where, what time, how to watch
Who: New York Rangers vs. St. Louis Blues
When: Sunday, Dec. 15 at 6 p.m. ET
Where: Enterprise Center
How to watch: MSG
Click here for New York Rangers complete 2024-25 schedule and game results
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