The Rangers generated 41 shots and scored twice. The Stars had 18 shots and scored thrice to win the game. Not to take anything away from Mike Smith, who played a great game in goal for Dallas, to outshoot one’s opponent by 23 shots and still come up short is glaring evidence that the Rangers’ offensive woes remain.
Add to the loss that the Rangers gave up two leads before falling behind, and that Dallas capitalized often on odd-man rushes generated when the Ranger defensemen pinched in the offensive zone. The Stars may not have peppered Lundqvist as much as the Rangers did Smith, but the quality of Dallas’ shots proved to be superior as their scoring chances were of higher quality throughout the game. Jaromir Jagr’s goal to open the scoring was a fluke, the result of a fortuitously redirected pass. Brendan Shanahan’s goal was a well-placed strike off another fortunate redirection that put the puck on a platter. Those are the kind of goals any team wants when they’re available, but Dallas scored goals generated by good execution, deft moves and crisp passing. Goals are goals, but a team that can execute on offense will often get the better of the chances.
Take Marty Straka’s ill-advised pass to Brandon Dubinsky as both fowards were bearing down on Smith with one Dallas d-man in between, who broke up Straka’s late dish. Or consider Scott Gomez dancing into the slot, holding the puck well past the moment he could and should have shot it, only to have the biscuit knocked away to create the chance that ended with Jussi Jokinen knotting it up at 1.
The Rangers played ugly against the Panthers on Friday, as well. They looked out of synch and unable to execute. They bunch up. They don’t move the puck well up ice whether by lugging it or passing it. It’s fortunate the Rangers took three of four points from the two games prior to today’s loss to Dallas.
However, as they go on to face the Islanders, who have won the first three meetings of the season, getting back into winning form is important not only in the standings but for the sake of their pride. We can wring our hands for the entire season, but execution is this team’s problem and that comes from the front office on down to the coaching staff. The quality is there on the ice, it’s just being misused.