EMBARASSMENT 

BY MIKE RIFKIN

Monday night should have been a night of celebration at Madison Square Garden, instead it turned into a nightmare, something that has happened far too often. The Rangers lost 2-1 to the Ottawa Senators but that’s not the story. The story was the Rangers were held to NINE shots on goal, tying a franchise record from December of 1955. 

As I said at the top Monday should’ve been a night of celebration, as Center Mika Zibanejad was playing in his 1,000th career NHL game. On July 18th 2016, Zibanejad was acquired from the Ottawa Senators (ironic how the schedule played out) along with a second round pick for Derrick Brassard. Since joining the Blue shirts Zibanejad has put up 279 goals and 655 points.  Zibanejad is top 10 in Ranger history in goals, points, power play goals, and short handed goals. And with the trade of Chris Kreider this past summer, Zibanejad is the longest tenured Ranger. 

Ranger captain JT Miller said after the game “Today you should have a fire lit under your ass to go play for your teammate. A guy that feels like a cornerstone of the organization. We go out and have four shots through two periods at home – a place where we haven’t been desperate enough this season”. Miller is right it should have lit a fire inside of them, but the problem is that fire hasn’t been lit in months and on a game by game basis only a few players stand out. As for the record at MSG, the Rangers are 9-18-7 on the season at home. 

On a night that should’ve been celebrated, the Rangers did what they’ve done all season and that is look awful and lethargic. Yes, this season has been full of embarrassing moments, but this is is the most embarrassing and a sign that changes need to occur this summer. Because Mika Zibanejad and the fans both deserve better.

NOTE : RANGERS ARE NOW CREDITED WITH 10 SHOTS