A month of uneven performances is now a rut and the first losing streak of the season for the New York Rangers.
Still leading the Metropolitan Division, the Rangers attempt to halt their season-high three-game losing streak Saturday afternoon when they visit the Washington Capitals for the front end of a home-and-home set.
New York began the season with an 18-4-1 record through Dec. 3 to open an eight-point lead atop the division. Since then, the Rangers are a pedestrian 8-8-1 in their past 17 games.
New York’s inconsistent performances of late include six losses by at least three goals, including each of its past three regulation defeats.
The latest occurred Thursday night when the Rangers dropped to 3-4-1 in their past eight road games with a 5-2 loss to the St. Louis Blues. Adam Fox scored the first goal 1:51 into the contest and New York allowed the next four goals.
The loss occurred on a night when the Rangers took 42 shots on goal. They matched their second-highest total of the season and have registered at least 40 shots on goal in a season-best three straight games.
“It’s always good for a team to face some adversity,” Rangers coach Peter Laviolette said. “It’s not always going to go your way. It’s not a bad thing to have to work and get things back on track.”
One thing the Rangers hope to correct is their penalty kill. The Rangers allowed two power-play goals to St. Louis for only the third time this season and second instance in the last month.
The Rangers played Thursday without Mika Zibanejad, as their third-leading scorer missed the game with an illness. Zibanejad may be able to return Saturday but if he sits, the Rangers may go with 11 forwards again.
Washington is 2-5-2 in its past nine contests since winning three straight beyond regulation Dec. 17-21. One of those losses was a 5-1 rout by the Rangers in New York on Dec. 27 and the Capitals have taken four losses by at least three goals in this stretch.
On Thursday, the Capitals gave up two goals in the first period of a 4-1 loss to the visiting Seattle Kraken. During this slide, Washington has been held to two goals or fewer six times and outscored 32-16 in regulation.
Against the Kraken, Washington produced 26 shots on goal. It was the seventh time in this slide the Capitals were held under 30 shots and it occurred on a night where they had extensive time at even strength.
“We don’t seem to generate too much when we have those long shifts or passing around the perimeter,” Washington’s Max Pacioretty said after scoring his first goal since tearing his right Achilles tendon last season. “I think we got to get dirty it’s no secret.”
After Pacioretty scored, the Capitals gave up a goal late in the second and another in the third. Alex Ovechkin extended his points streak to a modest six games with an assist and has three goals in his past 24 games.
The Capitals also got T.J. Oshie back from an 11-game absence due to an upper-body injury but played without agitator Tom Wilson due to a broken nose. Wilson could be out again Saturday.
–Field Level Media