Needing a bounce-back performance following a lopsided loss in game three, the Rangers instead came out flat again in Pittsburgh, suffering an embarrassing beatdown in the second period and allowing five goals en route to a 7-2 loss.
Head coach Gerard Gallant didn't hold back when asked about the second-period meltdown, which resulted in star goaltender Igor Shesterkin being yanked for the second straight game.
"We got away from it. One goal, two goals, played soft," Gallant said. "We were soft all over the ice.
"That was the biggest difference. We were soft all over the ice."
Gallant stood by Shesterkin, noting how many deflections were hit past the Vezina Trophy favorite, and that the defense played "soft" in front of him. New York allowed seven goals for the second straight game, and limp back to Madison Square Garden to try and save their season.
If the Rangers want to do that, they'll need a much better defensive showing than they had in Pittsburgh.
"There wasn't much commitment to playing defense tonight," Gallant said.
Follow Ryan Chichester on Twitter: @ryanchichester1
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