Amid the Tony DeAngelo saga, the Rangers resumed work on Sunday to end their misery in the third period.
Saturday’s 5-4 overtime loss to the Penguins was the fourth time in the last five games that the Rangers have entered the third period with a one-goal lead, but they have only one win to show for it.
“We can sit here and feel sorry for ourselves and feel bad about the situation, result wise and all,” center Mika Zibanejad said as the Rangers prepared to host the Penguins in the Garden on Monday night. “But at the end of the day, we have to move on.”
Defender Jacob Trouba said Saturday night the Rangers were aware of their fight in the third period and did not want it to creep onto the ice in their head. But it can already happen.
‘I want to say no, but of course [if] we win some of it, you will have a little more confidence in the third periods, ‘said Zibanejad.
Chris Krieder saw the Rangers issues clearly after the loss and pointed out that they could not keep up in the North-South game and still stay behind the defense in the third period. Zibanejad was not sure why the Rangers got away from the style late in the game.
“I do not know if we are trying to protect the leadership in a defensive way, or I do not know how I would put it,” he said. “But we just have to keep playing. The thing this team is doing so well is skating the kick. Part of that, of course, is playing North hockey. I feel like we’re getting a little out of it. It is something in which we must trust and believe in what we are doing so well. ”
Colin Blackwell, who went from three points from the taxi team to the second line’s right wing in three games, will be out 7-10 days after suffering a torso injury on Saturday night.
In his absence Sunday, Kaapo Kakko alternated with Artemi Panarin and Ryan Strome on the second line, while Julien Gauthier took Kakko’s place on the third line with Chris Kreider and Brett Howden.
Defender Jack Johnson, who missed two consecutive games with a groin strain, did not train and stays daily.