The New York Rangers are mentally, physically, and emotionally checked out.
With their season basically on the line and multiple chances to seize control of the contest, the Rangers squandered the game late and the Philadelphia Flyers defeated them 8-5.
No stats can properly summarize this night.
To keep a long story short, the score went back and forth throughout the entirety of the game and despite taking the lead in the third period, the Rangers were still unable to hold on.
Even with their playoff hopes on the line, there was no fight and no sense of urgency whatsoever from this Rangers team.
In a season filled with terrible losses, this defeat felt like the final blow to the Rangers, a dagger in the heart if you will.
While technically the Rangers aren’t eliminated from playoff contention, it would take an absolute miracle and I mean a miracle for the Blueshirts to make the postseason.
After the game, you could not picture a more deflated locker room. Rangers players had no more excuses as they appeared to be overwhelmed with emotions.
No one was on the verge of tears or anything, but you could feel the frustration and pure defeat from their voices.
It was clear everyone from players to coaches know that the writing is on the wall and that they only have themselves to blame.
“Let's be honest: We haven't really helped ourselves over the last couple weeks… A couple weeks ago, I felt like it was in our hands still,” Mika Zibanejad said. “Take care of the games that we had, but we haven't been able to do that. That's why we're in this position. We're not in this position solely because of tonight, and it stings.”
There’s been a feeling of misery around the Rangers all season long. Now, they are not even hiding it and why should they, especially considering the fact that their season is essentially over.
“It’s a sh-tty feeling in here, for sure,” Adam Fox said. “We’re hanging on by a thread at this point.”
Peter Laviolette seems to be more frustrated than he’s ever been.
His press conferences continue to get shorter with his tone becoming more blunt and direct.
“The frustration, the disappointment level has been there,” Laviolette said. “So, we’re still there.”
Wednesday night’s loss felt like the Rangers finally unleashed everything they’d wanted to say for months.
Everything was boiling to the surface, but there was at least still hope of making the playoffs.
That hope is gone now and the Blueshirts have given up trying to convey any sort of positive mindset.
That’s exactly what we saw unfold in the Rangers locker room on Wednesday night.
