Will We Ever Score Again - Rangers Blanked By Bruins 3-0

If you ask me – it's all about Derek Stepan.  Take him out of the lineup – as he has been for the last 5 periods – and the Rangers fall apart.  We're already thin at center – and without Steps it's Brassard and lots of not-so-much.  We we're terrible when he was out with the leg issue early on – and we're worse now.  And I think our opponents realize this and target him – if you remember – last year in the playoffs he had his jaw wired shut with a football helmet on for most of the playoffs. 

So – without Stepan we lose -  and last night it was to the Bruins. 

Cam Talbot saved .906 of the shots that came his way – and there were 32.  And we got 30 shots of Tuukka Rask (is that really a name?) but it felt like a lot less.  Not too much more to say here – don't panic and pray for a speedy recovery.  The Rangers are streaky – and there are worse things in this world to be – because if you get streaky good in the playoffs…

Did Special Team Determine The Outcome OF This Game?  Not exactly.  We were 0-3 on the Powerplay and 3-3 in the PK – so a wash.  But if we had netted one of our man advantage situations this might have started to resemble a hockey game.

Where Do We Stand?  We're still holding that last playoff spot with 52 points (24-13-4) and we are 3 points above the line-of-death with the Panthers 3 points behind us (with one extra game played). 

What In The World Will Happen Next?  No rest for the weary as we take out slumping circus to Ohio to take on Dubinsky and the Ranger Wanna-Be's (also known as the Blue Jackets).

Unrelated Thought Of The Day:  I'm happy the Giants got Spags back as defensive coordinator.  It almost feels like a movie. 

Dave Pucks out and thanks for stopping by.