New York Rangers: Up and Down Performance Leads to OT Loss by Ryan Womeldorf

Change necessary after OT loss to Capitals

After a seemingly mind-blowing loss to the Washington Capitals Saturday afternoon at Madison Square Garden, the New York Rangers needed to take a step back and look at what happened.

Optimism is key in a lot of things, sports is one of them. If the Blueshirts’ did not look on the bright side of things then there would not be a chance to get better. At the same time, remaining optimistic after seeing the same mistakes over and over again gets aggravating.

It is now clear that Rangers head coach Alain Vigneault plays a little bit of favoritism when choosing who plays and who does not. Dan Girardi is a reemerging example of this.

This will be Girardi’s 10th professional season, all in New York. Never scoring more than 10 goals a season, his offense is not what made him a favorite; that was his defense. Rangers fans loved a player who was willing to lay anything on the line to get a victory, which included countless blocked shots, hits, and an elongating list of injuries.

During his 10 seasons he has missed five games, playing through many injuries including a broken foot during last year’s run to the Eastern Conference Final against Tampa Bay.

The Dan Girardi that fans have come to know and love is not the one being seen this year, that’s for sure.

Yesterday’s massive turnover to the Caps’ Alex Ovechkin by Girardi in the first period proved costly, his team did not score until the third period. Regardless of the score, it was the play that puts a dagger in your heart when seen.

Girardi had the puck behind the net on the penalty kill, and should have cleared the puck along the boards or sailed it up high. However, he passed the puck through the middle of the ice, initially for Dom Moore. Ovechkin was there and just tipped the puck in the net and Girardi’s head went right back and stared up to the heavens.

With this in mind, it may be time for the Rangers to let their veteran players have a rest, give the younger players a chance.

Brady Skjei and Dylan McIlrath both proved worthy enough to play, McIlrath was given more of a shot due to Skjei’s impact on the cap. McIlrath played in 23 games this year, most coming in place for Dan Girardi’s cracked knee.

McIlrath and Skjei have a lot of promise on Broadway, but need to be given a shot.

A point could be made that Girardi’s turnover did not cost the team at the end of the game, however that play cannot be made through the middle of the ice.

The Rangers’ core defense is aging, and Girardi and Marc Staal both have modified no move clauses in their multi-year deals. These players are in New York, but it does not mean they could sit out for a few games.

Earlier in the year Girardi sat and came back rejuvenated and faster, even a line demotion could help their older legs.

It should be known that No. 5’s last five games came with two assists, 12 hits, and 8 blocks. He had a solid games heading into yesterday, but fans are ripping him for his play. There is a solution, and it will come, but for now just have faith. The Rangers came back from 2-0 to 3-2 in the final period, they showed heart and pride.