Pucks on Broadway: Analysis, Discussion, and Musings on the New York Rangers

After a stunning defeat of Ottawa, the Rangers decided that they didn't need to play against Carolina, who had just come off an 8-1 bashing by the Sabres.

Well, they stuck to their plan and plain didn't play at all.

It was a lack luster performance that players and announcers deemed anywhere from a "klunker" to a "stinker." Granted, this will happen during the season, but you would still like to see effort.

I will take a night where it doesn't click or the Rangers get blown out, as long as the effort was there. Last night, it simply was not.

There was no emotion, no energy, and no positioning. The youth team I coach has at least gotten over those issues midway through the season. Overall, pathetic.

It starts from leadership and when Brendan Shanahan is firing pucks high and wide, Jaromir Jagr is simply not skating or leaving the puck and Martin Straka is trying every inconcieveable and ill-advised pass, what are the indians supposed to think?

With a team comprised of all these "chiefs" it's disheartening to think nobody could step up to rally the troops last night.

While TDR, and other bloggers, noted Malik's poor play, I think it was in fact Rozsival who was constantly caught out of position. Why? Good question. Maybe he should go back with Staal. Who knows.

It was disappointing and painful to watch, but should make for a very entertaining Thursday night against Toronto. More to come...