There had been two small steps forward for the Rangers with back-to-back victories over the Hurricanes and Devils on Monday and Tuesday.
But Thursday night represented one giant step backward for the Blueshirts, beaten 3-1 at the Garden by the 30th-overall Panthers.
Inexplicably, the Rangers were flat out of the gate as they have been far too many times this year. They ultimately paid, unable to extend their little winning streak against a feeble opponent that skated through the door opened by the home team.
Marian Gaborik scored with 3:48 to play in the third after the Rangers had trailed 2-0 entering the third but the Panthers sealed it when Tomas Kopecky scored an empty-net, shorthanded goal with 46 seconds remaining.
Brian Boyle’s goal in Washington on March 10 represented the only goal scored by a Rangers’ third or fourth line in the club’s last 18 games entering the match, since Arron Asham got one against Tampa Bay on Feb. 10.
Despite their dizzying output of three goals on Tuesday in New Jersey—after getting a sum of three in the previous four games—the Blueshirts required production from people other than Rick Nash, Derek Stepan and Ryan Callahan.
The third line last night consisted of Boyle, J.T. Miller and Chris Kreider, who was recalled from the AHL Whale after scoring six goals in eight games following his Feb. 28 demotion to Connecticut.
“It was a very positive experience,” said Kreider, who had only scored five goals in 33 AHL games during the NHL lockout. “I was able to play big minutes and play in all situations, so any time you’re able to do that, it helps you develop in a lot of areas.”
The rookie left wing entered last night with just one goal (and one assist) while averaging 10:22 of ice in 11 previous games with the Rangers. Kreider invariably was the first forward dropped out of the rotation by Tortorella, who exhibited little trust in his game.
Tortorella, however, said that he believed Kreider had made strides before being sent to the Whale.
“I could see Chris the last time come out of his shell, the way he was interacting with his teammates,” the coach said. “Chris is very respectful of the hierarchy within the locker room.
“I think he progressed [with the Whale]. He has major assets going for him. I’m anxious to see him play.”
Yesterday, Kreider said he did not feel he was under Tortorella’s microscope, but even if he was, he interpreted that as a good thing.
“I think that’s something they address a lot; when you have young guys you want to make sure they develop properly,” he said. “The organization always has the players’ best interests in mind.
“They talk about it being a process. I think they just want to help you reach your potential. I don’t think there’s added pressure or that I’m under a microscope.
“But I would rather be under a microscope than be a guy they don’t care about,” Kreider said. “You know?”
The Rangers were unable to generate much if anything over the opening 11 minutes last night, sending just three shots on Florida netminder Jacob Markstrom, who left numerous rebounds as the period evolved.
Unable to form a coherent attack, the Blueshirts fell behind 1-0 at 8:22 when Brian Campbell’s power play drive from the left circle rocketed up into the top corner over Henrik Lundqvist’s left shoulder after deflecting off the shaft of Ryan McDonagh’s stick.
The Blueshirts did carry the play for the remainder of the first period, finishing with a 12-7 advantage in shots, but were unable to capitalize on loose pucks left in front by Markstrom or on their lone PP advantage. The Rangers, 0-for-9 with the man advantage the previous five games, had been going with Marian Gaborik and Michael Del Zotto on the points.
But it was Del Zotto with Dan Girardi on the points to open last night’s power play, with Gaborik sliding down to forward. Brad Richards, who had been on the second unit, played the half-wall quarterback position with Rick Nash moving to the front from the circle.
“We still need someone to take over the power play and run it,” Tortorella said before the match. “I’m not sure we ever will.”
The Rangers were ineffective on their lone PP in the second period, sending just one shot on Markstrom in the 2:00, that a long drive by Del Zotto in the final seconds of the man-advantage during which the team was booed.
That came at 6:36 of the period, by which time the Panthers had extended their lead to 2-0. Florida scored at 4:38 when Scottie Upshall converted a rebound after Jack Skille out-battled Nash and Anton Stralman along the offensive left wing boards and brought the puck to the net for the initial shot.
The Blueshirts did, again, carry the play for much of the second half of the period, but simply could not beat Markstrom and were booed off the ice at the intermission.