Shaky defense gifts third straight loss to Tampa Bay

AP Photo/Jason DeCrow

The New York Rangers played some pretty shaky defense against a very talented Tampa Bay Lightning team, and it cost them dearly. Three straight gaffes cost them three straight goals, and an empty netter sealed the deal as the Lightning swept the season series with the 6-3 win. For some inexplicable reason, people were blaming Henrik Lundqvist for the loss, but as we get into the goal breakdown, you’ll see why that’s pretty silly.

The Rangers did what I asked them to do, which was shut down Ryan Callahan. Too bad they let Tyler Johnson (2-1-3), Brett Connolly (2-0-2), and Victor Hedman (0-3-3) run over them all night long. That Tampa Bay team is deep, talented, and solid in all three zones. They are scary good. That said, this was a game the Rangers could have won, had they played defense.

On to the goals:

Lightning 1, Rangers 0

The coverage on this goal was fine, as both defensemen stuck their men in front. It was just a lucky bounce off Hedman’s point shot, off Ondrej Palat’s skate, right to Johnson for the tap-in with Matt Hunwick all over him. It happens. We move on.

Rangers 1, Lightning 1

Carl Hagelin made a nice effort to force Cedric Paquette into a turnover in the corner, then carried the puck behind the net while Lee Stempniak and Kevin Hayes charged to the slot. Hags’ pass looked to be aimed at Stempniak –who was wide open as Paquette was slow to cover him– but it wound up going to Hayes, who barely got free of his man (Jason Garrison) and roofed it over Ben Bishop.

Lightning 2, Rangers 1

Connolly made all sorts of moves on Marc Staal, but never completely lost him. Staal was able to recover enough to force a shot from the high slot. Dan Girardi was working on Brendan Morrow in front, combined with Staal’s awkward attempt to block the shot, led to a big screen in front of Hank. In the picture, you can see the puck (circled) heading right while Hank’s head is leaning left to try and see.

Rangers 2, Lightning 2

Jesper Fast forced a turnover in the defensive zone, which the Rangers turned into a 3-on-2 rush. Fast cut to the net while Derick Brassard faked a shot. The fake drew Matt Carle into a snow angel, which left Fast open in front at the near post and Brass with a clear lane to get the puck to him for the easy goal.

Rangers 3, Lightning 2

Martin St. Louis did a good job of quarterbacking this powerplay, clearly pointing at Ryan McDonagh, signaling Derek Stepan to get him the puck at the point. All four Lightning penalty killers had their backs to McDonagh and MSL, and McDonagh’s one-timer came as MSL cut to the net. The rebound was an easy tip-in for Marty.

Lightning 3, Rangers 3

This goal was an absolute momentum killer after the Rangers killed off a 5-on-3. Dominic Moore got the puck at the far circle, and instead of clearing the zone, played with the puck and turned the puck over. Moments later, McDonagh couldn’t clear the zone as well. This led to a gassed unit forming a conga line while chasing the puck. Hayes had his back to Carle, who rifled the Johnson pass over Hank.

Lightning 4, Rangers 3

With the Lightning on the powerplay, Connolly took a Steven Stamkos pass at the high slot, skated to the top of the circle, and ripped a shot low stick side past Hank. It looked like Hank was leaning left on this one as well. Regardless, that’s a lot of open ice for Connolly, a former first round pick.

Lightning 5, Rangers 3

Nikita Kucherov forced Kevin Klein into a turnover behind the net, which also trapped McDonagh behind the net. Stepan was sitting watching it all develop while Johnson snuck in (offscreen). Kucherov hit Johnson with a pass, and Hank had no chance.

Lightning 6, Rangers 3

Palat empty netter. No breakdown needed.

Shift Chart:

Courtesy of war-on-ice

Without Dan Boyle, Girardi and Staal were paired together getting the Stamkos line with Cally and Alex Killorn. That left McDonagh and John Moore to deal with the Connolly, Valtteri Filppula, Johnathan Drouin line, for the most part. As much as I’d like to use this shift chart and give specific matchups that were the cause for the loss, the entire team was a dumpster fire defensively.

Fenwick Chart:

Courtesy of war-on-ice

Score effects play a role in the Rangers coming ahead with the possession lead at the end of the game. Once TB had their two goal lead, they sat back in the third period and defended. That’s where that jump at the end for the Rangers gave them the advantage. Other than that, it was a fairly even game through the entirety, just Tampa Bay capitalized on their opportunities, and the Rangers gave them high quality chances as well.

The Rangers lost this game, which was their third in four nights. It was a game they could have won, but it is what it is. Many people blamed Hank, and while he didn’t have a great game, the defense certainly let him down time and time again. The Rangers have an odd schedule, with four days off before heading to Detroit and Pittsburgh, then another four days off before a west coast swing.