Rangers face goaltending challenges as preseason struggles surface
The New York Rangers are grappling with a challenging start to their preseason campaign. In back-to-back games, the Blue Shirts fell to the Boston Bruins and the New York Islanders, both by a score of 5-4, after relinquishing leads in the crucial third period.
Disappointing third-period collapses
On Tuesday night, the Rangers entered the third period with a commanding 4-1 lead, only to watch as their advantage evaporated. They allowed three unanswered goals before ultimately succumbing to the game-winner in overtime. Talyn Boyko, the losing netminder, faced 24 shots and allowed four goals. Just two days later, the Rangers found themselves in a similar predicament against the Islanders. With a 4-2 lead heading into the final frame, they again fell victim to a lapse in focus, surrendering three goals in the third period. This time, it was Dylan Garand who took the loss, giving up three goals on just 10 shots.
Preseason woes or cause for concern?
While these back-to-back blown leads might raise alarm bells for some fans, it’s essential to keep the context of preseason games in mind. These contests do not impact the standings, but they can foreshadow trends that may carry into the regular season. The Rangers must avoid making a habit of allowing late-game meltdowns, especially with the Metropolitan Division poised to be fiercely competitive this year.
Importance of closing out games
In a league where the margin for error is razor-thin, allowing points to slip away in the third period could have dire consequences. The Rangers must learn to play a full 60 minutes; it’s a common struggle for many teams. Often, clubs dominate for two periods only to let their opponents claw back in the third. Last season, the Rangers faced a similar fate, blowing 15 leads, with eight of those occurring in the final frame.
The implications of these blown leads can be significant. Had the Rangers managed to secure those eight third-period advantages, could they have altered their playoff fate? The NHL is increasingly competitive, with playoff berths often determined by a handful of points. Early-season losses can weigh heavily on playoff aspirations come April, making it imperative for the Rangers to establish a strong start.
Concerns over goaltending depth
In the recent defeats, it was the Rangers’ depth goalies who faltered under the pressure of the third period. Dylan Garand, in particular, appeared out of sync against the Islanders, raising concerns about the team’s goaltending stability. With Jonathan Quick aging and starter Igor Shesterkin unable to shoulder the entire 82-game schedule, the Rangers must depend on their backup options to step up when called upon.
Given the current performance of their depth goalies, the Blue Shirts may need to explore the free-agent market or the waiver wire to secure additional support for their goaltending tandem. As the preseason unfolds, addressing these issues will be vital for the Rangers’ ambitions as they look to solidify their playoff hopes.
