The Rangers dropped a season goal against the Islanders on Tuesday night for the most insignificant loss of the year.
It was their first defeat by a margin of five goals this season, as the Islands dominated all ice areas in a playoff-intensive game. However, the Blueshirts were outscored by only 28-26.
“When you lose six to one as I did, it’s definitely humiliating, that’s for sure,” said head coach David Quinn.
After losing veteran defender Jacob Trouba in the middle of the first period, the Rangers struggled to match the physicality of the islands and allowed them to control the pace of play. Top center Mika Zibanejad said the Rangers need to do a better job of working together to make up for Trouba’s loss.
“I didn’t think I had reached the level of play I needed, it seemed disconnected,” Zibanejad said. “We were a little too far from each other and we couldn’t really get that preliminary verification that we have and the crime that we usually have. It’s hard when you’re away from each other, you can’t really get that support. Even in breakouts, but I don’t know, it just didn’t reach the level of the game and obviously it stings.
“We have to learn from this, but we have to look ahead and move on and make sure we come around on Thursday.”
In addition to returning to Igor Shesterkin in the net, the Rangers played the same line on Tuesday as the victory too close for comfort against Sundays on Sunday.
That meant defender Libor Hajek was scratched for the second game in a row, with Anthony Bitetto taking his place in the third defensive pair next to Brendan Smith. Bitetto, who was on the ice for the Devils’ two goals in the third period that equalized the previous game, was at the end of 8:33 of Sunday’s victory.
Bitetto was a minus-three on Tuesday, with two shots on goal, three shots and a gift in 16:25 ice.
Asked if there would be any changes in the line, Quinn said he had not yet had a chance to deliberate.
“It’s too early to answer that question,” he said. “Just something I haven’t thought about yet.”
The Rangers have Zac Jones as another defense option after the 20-year-old signed his basic contract last week. Quinn said she wants Jones to win his place in line and will connect him when he can make an impact.
“It was hard because we didn’t have a lot of team practice, it was hard to judge,” Quinn said of Jones. “He has a fast brain, a fast stick, a lot of skills, he really understands the game.”