Rangers: Good news and bad news from 6-3 loss against Jets
The New York Rangers have gone 6-4 in their last ten games following a tough 6-3 defeat to the league-leading Winnipeg Jets on Tuesday night. Though the Blueshirts started the season strong, their form quickly slipped as defensive issues emerged and key forwards struggled to contribute offensively. This loss to Winnipeg has highlighted several of New York’s growing concerns.
Mika Zibanejad is past his prime and a liability on the ice
Two seasons ago, some fans might have placed Mika Zibanejad among the NHL’s top-10 centers. Now, however, he appears to be a shadow of his former self, with some even arguing he’s currently the Rangers’ most ineffective forward. Zibanejad’s performance against the Jets on Tuesday was rough; he went scoreless, recorded a -4 rating, and his turnovers directly led to three Winnipeg goals. His struggles are beginning to jeopardize the standout seasons of teammates Artemi Panarin and Alexis Lafreniere. Zibanejad needs to rebuild his confidence and turn things around soon before the organization considers more drastic steps.
K’Andre Miller is a borderline unplayable defenseman
Last season, Jacob Trouba was often seen as the defensive scapegoat among Rangers fans. This year, K’Andre Miller has taken on that role. Like Zibanejad, Miller had a rough outing against the Jets, finishing with a -4 rating and committing two giveaways. However, unlike Zibanejad, Miller’s contract isn’t a major obstacle, and if his struggles continue to hinder every defensive pairing, he might be the first player on the trade block this season. His performance so far has been disappointing, and many are questioning why he remains in the lineup while players like Zac Jones and Victor Mancini sit on the bench.
Looking ahead to the Rangers’ next game against the San Jose Sharks
The Rangers anticipated a challenge against the league-leading Winnipeg Jets, who currently sit atop the NHL standings one month into the season. Fortunately, New York’s next game should be a more favorable matchup. On Thursday night, the Rangers will face the San Jose Sharks at Madison Square Garden. The Sharks have had a rough start to the season, offering the Blueshirts a prime opportunity to rebound in a big way.