The Rangers were a complete no-show in Friday's loss to the Islanders, and while the team hasn't had many flops in what has been a resurgent season, head coach Gerard Gallant wanted his frustration known as he ripped into his team after the game.
"The Islanders played a good game. We were horses--t," Gallant said. "But at least we do it together as a team.
"The great games we played in Pittsburgh, we do it as a team. Tonight, we get the other side of it."
Indeed, New York could keep its focus on the big picture and its recent wins against the Penguins, which have shown that it can compete with the better teams in the league as the playoffs inch closer. But Friday was a suitable reminder that any nights off, even against an Islanders team going nowhere fast, will result in embarrassment.
The Blueshirts have come a long, long way in one season under Gallant, but Friday was easily one of their worst performances of the season. They were shut out for just the fourth time all season, and had nine giveaways to the Islanders' three. Sure, the Rangers are still in second place, and Friday's loss came after a four-game winning streak, but that did little to temper the anger of the team after such a lifeless performance.
"We came out and kind of dirtied up our pants," Artemi Panarin said through an interpreter.
Follow Ryan Chichester on Twitter: @ryanchichester1
Follow WFAN on Social Media
Twitter | Facebook | Instagram | YouTube | Twitch
