The Rangers quickly opened up the scoring in the early minute of the first period on Monday night, but once the Penguins provided the equalizer, a nightmare five-goal second period put the game out of reach, putting New York on the brink of elimination.
Adam Fox thinks if the Rangers are to survive, they have to show more resilience after giving up a goal, and avoid avalanches like in games three and four.
“We maybe get a little down once one goes in,” Fox said. “It seems like they come in bunches for them. I think it’s just bearing down and having the mindset of not letting them get those good looks.
“It definitely starts with us, and that’s where the focus is at.”
Fox, a Norris Trophy winner, took responsibility for the struggles of goaltender Igor Shesterkin who has now been pulled in each of the last two games, while Pittsburgh has netted seven goals in each of those two contests.
“That's strictly on us letting him down,” Fox said. “I don't know how he would've stopped most of those goals. He stopped a lot of Grade A’s too that he had before they tipped those in.
“Whenever a goalie gets pulled, it’s usually on the team. He’s been our backbone all year…we know what he’s capable of, and we have to help him out a little more.”
They could start by bearing down after giving up a goal, instead of watching the walls crumble around them.
Follow Ryan Chichester on Twitter: @ryanchichester1
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