The New York Rangers are nonetheless coping with disappointment as they head into the offseason after a first-round exit from the playoffs.
After a run to the Eastern Conference remaining final yr, there have been excessive expectations coming into this season. The Rangers completed third within the Metropolitan Division after topping 100 factors for the second straight yr.
They received the primary two video games on the street towards New Jersey earlier than shedding three straight to fall to the brink of elimination earlier than successful Game 6 at dwelling to increase the sequence. A 4-0 loss in Game 7 – the second shutout in three video games – ended the season.
“It stings. (An) empty feeling, a little bit disbelief still,” ahead Chris Kreider stated on the staff’s apply facility in Tarrytown, New York. “We went so far as we presumably may final yr. We have been on our final legs once we misplaced in Game 6 to Tampa (Bay), we had a whole lot of accidents. We poured all the things out. Just felt like we had extra hockey in us this yr. …
“It’s up to us to take it and use it as fuel and come back and be a lot better next year.”
The Rangers have been constructed to win now, particularly after midseason trades that noticed them add veteran forwards Patrick Kane and Vladimir Tarasenko, in addition to fourth-liner Travis Motte. However, Tarasenko had three objectives and an help, Kane added a purpose and 5 assists and Motte was scoreless towards the Devils. The energetic third line of kids Kaapo Kakko, Filip Chytil and Alexis Lafrenière, which offered an enormous scoring increase in final yr’s run, mixed for under two objectives and 4 assists.
Kreider led the way in which with six objectives – together with 5 on the ability play – and three assists. He and Tarasenko have been the one two to attain a couple of purpose. Mika Zibanejad adopted up career-high 91 level season (39 objectives, 52 assists) with one purpose and three assists within the sequence. Leading scorer Artemi Panarin (92 factors) was held to 2 assists.
“I think we learned a lot last year, and I think we definitely will learn a lot from this year,” Zibanejad stated. “It’s just when the expectations are what they are, and I’m not even talking about media or everyone else around us, but in terms of the guys here in the locker room and what we feel like what we had and not being able to meet that, this one stinks.”
The Rangers scored 5 objectives in every of their three wins towards the Devils, however mixed for 4 objectives of their 4 losses.
Goalie Igor Shesterkin had a robust follow-up to his Vezina Trophy-winning season a yr in the past, going 37-13-8 with three shutouts, a 2.48 goals-against common and .916 save-percentage. He was even higher within the sequence towards New Jersey, ending with a 1.96 GAA and .931 save-percentage.
The Rangers now head into the summer season with questions concerning the staff make-up, choices on free brokers, and presumably the standing of coach Gerard Gallant.
GALLANT’S JOB SECURITY
The coach was miffed about studies suggesting the Rangers have been mulling a training change after their playoff efficiency.
The Rangers completed with 110 factors final season to complete second within the Metropolitan, and adopted that up with 107 factors this season.
“We had a great first season, we lost to the Stanley Cup defending champions in the semifinals,” Gallant stated. “This year we lost in the first round. So did I have a tough two weeks, did we have a tough two weeks? Yeah. But besides that, I can’t believe I have to answer some of these questions about me getting let go or getting fired.”
Gallant was fired by Florida 22 video games into the 2016-17 season, months after main the Panthers to an Atlantic Division title and a first-round exit within the playoffs. He guided enlargement Vegas to the Stanley Cup Final in its inaugural season and a first-round exit the next yr earlier than he was let go 49 video games into the 2019-20 season.
FREE AGENTS
The Rangers have 5 unrestricted free brokers – led by midseason acquisitions Kane (5 objectives, seven assists in 19 video games in New York), Tarasenko (eight objectives 13 assists in 31 video games), Motte (5 objectives, 5 assists in 24 video games) and defenseman Niko Mikkola. Backup goalie Jaroslav Halak can be on the record after going 10-9-5 with a 2.72 GAA behind Shesterkin.
The 34-year-old Kane is not sure of his standing for subsequent season, although he revealed he had an harm which may want offseason surgical procedure. Tarasenko needs to return and Motte – acquired on the deadline in every of the final two seasons – additionally hopes to stay round this time.
Also, Lafrenière (16 objectives and career-highs of 23 assists and 39 factors) and defenseman Ok’Andre Miller are key restricted free brokers.
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