Henrik Lundqvist-Blood Boiling Due To The Rangers?

Ed Mulholland-USA TODAY Sports

"DEFENSE: ONCE A STRENGTH, NOW A WEAKNESS"

When you thought of the Rangers, most would believe they were a defensive team that prided themselves on being able to stop the puck and limit shots to the opposition. With names like Ryan McDonagh, Dan Girardi, Marc Staal, Kevin Klein, John Moore, Rangers fans hoped that this group of defensemen, along with Lundqvist, would be able to repeat the success of last season. Well, that’s not the case this season.

Of their first 14 games this season, the Rangers defense has allowed less than three goals three times. The other 11 games, they have allowed three or more goal. And four of those games they have allowed at least five goals. What is the reason? Right now, that’s what the team needs to figure out. Not to make an excuse, but injuries has played a part in their play. One losing Boyle early in the season. Then, McDonagh going down with a separated shoulder. Then Moore’s five game suspension earlier this month creates a recipe for disaster. There’s been a carousel of players trying to fill their shoes. And it’s been met with moderate success.

However, it still does not excuse the fact that the Rangers are leaving wide open to put a slapper past Lundqvist or any other goalie for that matter. Several times this season, the defense is seen congregating to one side of the ice, leaving a trailer to sneek up from behind. The player is wide-open, I mean WIDE-OPEN! They’re so wide-open, Matt Cooke could score (oh wait, he did). The point is, assistant coach Ulf Sammuelson needs to rally his group and say enough is enough. Stop leaving your goalie out to dry. It’s that simple. Maybe that’s what they need to do, simplify their defensive schemes?