N.Y. Rangers: Another Poor Performance at the Penguin Palace

From the desk: RAISE GRESCHNER WITH THE GREATS

Penguins Lead Rangers; 5-1

I - PITT 4; NYR 3

II - PITT 3; NYR 2

III - PITT 5; NYR 4

IV - NYR 3; PITT 1

V - PITT 5; NYR 1

VI - PITT 4; NYR 2

Who's On First, What's On Second, Who the Eff Is In The Middle?

How did the Rangers have more shots on goal than Pittsburgh?  Where did all these opportunities come from, because I just didn't see it?  Maybe someone can please inform me of the Rangers' time of possession for Tuesday's game?  

I kept telling my wife ... watch when they enter the offensive zone how quickly they lose possession of the puck.  Then she asks/yells/tells me ... why isn't anyone in the effing middle?  Look, it's empty out there; why isn't someone near the net?  So then I said ... that's because we don't have anyone big and rough and tough enough to win battles in the corners and make good passes to the so-called skilled players.

😠

However, in a brief moment of joy, I was pleased to see Kaako/Chytil/Lafreniere on the same line and the return of Jacob Trouba.  Otherwise, Jack Johnson's first period goal means little to nothing for me.

Brett Howden is averaging roughly 13:00 minutes through 24 games to date.  The man has just two shots on goal in his last ten games.  He has just 18 total shots on goal, but eight came within the season's first six games.  Which is to say, since Jan. 28, Brett Howden has registered a mere ten shots over his last 18 games.  Just to be a jerk, Casey Cizikas of the Islanders has 33 shots on goal through 26 games, with four goals and ten points.

By the way, Penguins centermen accounted for five points, while all Rangers' centermen accounted for just one point, a power-play goal by Ryan Strome in the third, his sixth of the season.  That's an improvement.  Because on Sunday, Blueshirt centermen accounted for just four shots and one goal from Mika Zibanejad.  In comparison, Penguins centers took nine shots on goal, tallying three goals and four assists for seven points, giving them 12 points in two games versus an inconsequential two points for the Rangers.

Making his 18th appearance of the season, Pittsburgh goalie Tristan Jarry faced 35 shots, stopping all but one at even strength.  

In only his second start of the season and back-to-back against the Pens, Keith Kinkaid faced 21 even-strength shots allowing three and faced 26 shots overall.  The Rangers were outscored by the Penguins over the last two games by a 9-3 margin.  Said another way, Pittsburgh tripled the Rangers output.

• Artemi Panarin Count: 16 days; the Rangers are 4-4-0 in his absence.

Where's Phil Esposito when you need him?