The New York Rangers’ 3-1 loss to the Los Angeles Kings on Tuesday at Crypto.com Arena encapsulated their recent woes. Despite a stronger second-period effort against one of the NHL’s top teams, the Rangers’ rally fell short after another dismal start, resulting in their fourth loss in five games.
Moral victories held no weight for the Rangers, who squandered a chance to climb into the Eastern Conference’s second wild-card spot. Instead, they remain one point adrift with 10 games left, while playoff rivals hold two games in hand. The Kings, riding a 12-0-3 home streak and nine wins in their last 10 games, capitalized on New York’s inconsistencies.
Goaltender Igor Shesterkin’s heroics kept the Rangers afloat early, as they mustered just two first-period shots against Los Angeles’ stifling defense. Over the opening 20 minutes, the Kings dominated attempts (24-7), scoring chances (13-1), and high-danger opportunities (5-0). Though New York improved over the final 40 minutes, their late push couldn’t erase another sluggish start.
Key Takeaways from the Loss:
1. Special Teams Struggle
Once a strength, the Rangers’ power play extended its slump to 0-for-13 (1-for-28 since March 3), failing to convert three chances Tuesday. A critical third-period opportunity saw Vincent Trocheck miss crucial chances, compounding their league-worst 18.0% power-play efficiency. Equally concerning, the penalty kill allowed two goals for just the second time this season, dropping to eighth overall (81.9%). Kevin Fiala and Phillip Danault capitalized on defensive lapses, exploiting New York’s faltering special teams.
2. Othmann Shows Promise in Elevated Role
Rookie Brennan Othmann, promoted to the top-six alongside Artemi Panarin and Trocheck, held his own with 11:46 of ice time. The 22-year-old displayed poise and offensive awareness, though his physical play—a hallmark of his fourth-line role—was absent. The line posted a 52.85% expected goals share but must balance skill with grit to maximize its impact.
3. Offensive Drought Deepens
Scoring remains a critical issue, as the Rangers were held to one goal for the fourth time in eight games. Mika Zibanejad’s slump worsened (zero points in five games, no goals in seven), while Alexis Lafrenière managed just one goal in 20 contests. Despite a modest uptick in shots (23), New York’s lack of high-danger chances and finishing prowess continues to undermine their playoff push.
With time running thin, the Rangers face urgent questions about lineup adjustments and rediscovering their identity to salvage a fading postseason bid.
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