As another tough test any team endures in an 82-game schedule, it's understandable and necessary that the Rangers' isolation last month, culminating in a four-game failure, was mentally challenging. It is.
Of course, there's the rough patch in January that comes after already building a 25-9-1 head start, and the middling 7-8 mark after a refreshing six games against lower-ranked teams to open the season. There is a big difference between a half-hearted rut.
It's only been two months since the season started. Thanksgiving isn't usually a notable benchmark.
But the Blueshirts would be remiss not to address their shortcomings sooner.
So where is the confidence that the team can turn things around faster?
“It's awesome,” captain Jacob Trouba said after Wednesday night's 4-3 loss to the Hurricanes. “Teams are bound to have adversity. I think when you come out the other side, you're a better team. And we're going to come out the other side. We all know it's hard to get through that.” I know there will be ups and downs throughout the year, but that's how you build a team.”
This matchup against the Flyers on Friday in Philadelphia will suddenly have an impact on the standings.
The gap between the top and bottom of the Metropolitan Division is widening, and the Rangers are at a disadvantage in that regard.
If they lose, the Flyers will be tied with the Rangers with 25 points.
As of Thanksgiving morning, the Rangers trailed the Capitals by six points, making them the surprise third-place team in the division.
With a win over the Rangers on Wednesday night, the Hurricanes leapfrogged the Devils into first place in the metro.
The Rangers feel like his performance against the Canes improved significantly and they see the potential to build on that.
“We worked hard enough to put ourselves in a good position to win.” [Wednesday night]sometimes things don't work out,” Riley Smith said. “There are a lot of positive things.” [Wednesday night]I think we have to keep working on them. You're looking for a way out of these holes as a group, and that's what we're going to do. ”
Not only have the Rangers not been at full strength without Filip Sitil for the past six games and Chris Kreider for the past two games, but the absence of two top-nine forwards has left head coach Peter – Laviolette was forced to shuffle his lines.
Despite the fact that he has been skating with the team since being rescued by specialists from a concussion, there is no indication of how close or far Sittil is to returning, but Kreider He said the Rangers likely want him to have a few practices and a morning skate before then. He has played since returning to the ice Wednesday morning.
Laviolette will have to decide whether to move Kreider back to Zibanejad or move Will Quill to the left of Sweden's center.
Kreider could also slot into the left wing position on the third line behind Kaapo Kakko and Smith, which would move Adam Edstrom to the fourth line and potentially take Johnny Brodzinski out of the lineup. is high.
If Cyttil returns, the Rangers could return to a Kreider-Chytil-Kakko line. The line had started just two games together this season before the Czech center went down.
Only 13 minutes and 04 seconds of ice time was recorded, which is not enough to draw any conclusions.
There are inevitable positive things on the horizon for the Rangers to look forward to.
“I mean, yeah, it was a better effort, but all we care about right now is getting the win, and we didn't do that.” [Wednesday night]'' Lindgren said. “We’re going to need a lot more in Philadelphia.”
