Recap: Maple Leafs Hand Rangers Third Consecutive Loss, 4-3

The Rangers continued their home-stand by hosting the Toronto Maple Leafs in their final meeting of the regular season. After another candidate for worst game of the season against the Flames on Tuesday, the Rangers desperately needed a win, yet again. Despite a better start, the Rangers proceeded to let this game get away from them as a result of another uninspired effort. A late goal from Chris Kreider brought them within one but it wouldn't be enough as they fell short to the Leafs for their third loss in a row.

1st Period: 

Well the Rangers looked better to start which was an encouraging sight based on their most recent performance but it wasn’t long before that wore off. Prior to that, there was some good pace to the game as both teams were generating shots on goal. The Rangers first best look came near the midway point of the period, a beautiful outlet pass from Igor Shesterkin sent Alexis Lafrenière on a strong zone entry that resulted in a flashy glove save from Anthony Stolarz. 

Soon afterwards, K’Andre Miller was called for the first penalty of the game as his stick got caught up in the skates of William Nylander. Shesterkin kicked off the penalty kill with a great point blank save on an Auston Matthews one timer as the Rangers did a good job of holding off the Leafs all forward power play unit. 

With seven and a half to go, a beautiful zone entry from Toronto set up John Tavares for a one timer that Shesterkin wasn’t able to get a piece of as it sailed top shelf to put the Rangers down 1-0. William Nylander picked up his 600th career point with the assist. 

Things slowed down a bit from there but in the final minute of the period, an effective shift from the third line got the puck out to the Rangers point. Carson Soucy cycled it over to Will Borgen who let a shot go through traffic, off the post and in to tie the game up 1-1 with 47 seconds to go in the opening period. 

That would have been the perfect way to go into the intermission but of course the Rangers messed that up. After icing the puck, the Leafs won the offensive zone face-off and a shot from Jake McCabe was deflected in front by Bobby McMann to regain the lead with just 9.6 seconds to go. Just a brutal sequence where practically every Ranger on the ice got beat to the puck. 

One bad shift became the difference maker in what would have been a fine period otherwise as a careless effort allowed Toronto to regain the lead. Shots after twenty minutes were 14-11 in favor of Toronto who were also ahead in attempts, high danger chances and expected goals for. Not a terrible period but certainly a terrible finish.  

2nd Period:

The Rangers needed a quick answer to start the second and they would get exactly that. Just a minute and a half in, a good play from Carson Soucy at the point set up a nice passing play between Fox and Trocheck that generated a rebound for Artemi Panarin to put home. That would turn Panarin’s point streak into an eleven game stretch as he continues to be red hot for this team offensively. 

Less than three minutes later, Adam Fox collided with Cuylle right in front of the Rangers net which allowed for Toronto to go to work. It wasn’t long before the puck came out to McCabe at the point and Tavares was right there to fire home the rebound to regain the lead against the Rangers for the second time, 3-2 score. 

Close to the midway point, Chris Kreider was driving hard to the net and got taken down by Simon Benoit. As the two were crashing towards the net, Benoit gave Kreider an extra cross-check to the back which should have been a penalty. Kreider was as animated as we’ve probably seen him all season as he went right after Benoit following an offsides call for a lengthy exchange of words as he was held back by the official. 

With five and a half to go, Miller went to move the puck over to Fox behind the Rangers net but a weird bounce or mishandle created a chance for the Leafs on an extended shift in the offensive zone. Nylander would go for a skate behind the net and found Matthew Knies up high who walked in and fired a shot home to make it a 4-2 game. 

Yet another lowlight that essentially encapsulates this season in a nutshell. Countless, careless mistakes and lack of effort continue to be this team's downfall. Despite becoming another disappointing period, the Rangers out-shot the Leafs 10-6 in the second yet still trailed by one in the total 21-20. This team would need a miraculous third to help turn this thing around once and for all. 

3rd Period:

There wasn’t much urgency from the Rangers to start the period and soon enough, eight minutes had come and went without much of anything changing. Toronto continued to play a solid defensive game and capitalized on their opportunities to generate offense while the Rangers were struggling to go through the motions.  

With just over ten minutes to go in the third, the Rangers finally drew a penalty as Matthews Knies was called for slashing the stick out of the hands of Zac Jones. With Vincent Trocheck back on the top unit in place of Kreider, the Rangers went to work but after a solid minute of the usual possession game, Toronto cleared the zone and eventually killed off the rest of the man advantage. The power play continues to be ice cold as the Garden boo’d their efforts. 

If there was a time to jump start this game, it was on that power play and as time continued to escape them, it was feeling more and more like the Rangers were going to let this one fall out of reach. With close to two and a half to go, the Rangers pulled Shesterkin for the extra attacker. With 33 seconds to go, a shot from Panarin at the point was deflected in front by Kreider to bring them within one. A brief glimmer of hope but it wouldn't be enough as the Rangers couldn't even regain the zone in the final 30 seconds.

That would do it as the Rangers lost their third in a row 4-3 to Toronto. They're back at it for the official Salute to Sam night as they'll host the Vancouver Canucks Saturday afternoon. This team certainly isn't looking like they're going to win many more games this season but hopefully, they can put together a respectable win as the organization pays tribute to Sam Rosen this weekend.