New York Rangers’ Top Players Need To Carry The Team
By Brandon Fitzpatrick
@bfitzsports
Adam Hunger-USA TODAY Sports
The New York Rangers had no business being in the game against the tough St. Louis Blues. The Rangers were playing with a makeshift lineup that saw them without two top-six forwards and four top-six defenseman. On top of all that, Cam Talbot, the Rangers’ backup goalie, got the nod from head coach Alain Vigneault.
Add all this together and it seemed like the recipe for an ugly loss.
However, the Rangers fought hard and managed to get the game to a shootout before losing 4-3. Their top players, like Derick Brassard, Rick Nash, Chris Kreider and Martin St. Louis came through big time and carried this team to a big point. It is clear that the Rangers are going to have to rely on their top guns with a large chunk of their lineup missing time over the next several weeks.
There were obviously some ugly spots from the Rangers with their depleted lineup. They were absolutely dominated in the second period and had to roll out only four defenseman for the majority of the third period. Dan Girardi played well over 20 minutes for the second straight game, as he and Marc Staal are carrying the defense on their backs. St. Louis scored two their-period goals, Nash was around the puck all night, Brassard had a couple of assists and Kreider also had a bunch of scoring opportunities.
This was the type of game that many expect a team to lose. Their backs against the wall, the Rangers found a way to get a win, something they have been doing all season long. They need their top guys to carry them, and they must continue to be resilient in order for the team to tread water with many of their key players sidelined.
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