The Ryan Reaves trade had significant cap implications for the Rangers.

The Rangers had another poor process game, especially in the third period, but did manage to get a point against Vegas. This is easily a more upsetting stretch of hockey, as the Rangers have been outplayed by their opponents in seven of their last eight games. And not all of them are against Vegas or Colorado. This includes two against Chicago and one each against Buffalo and Arizona. Just not good hockey.

What was odd was the third period, where the Rangers managed just five shot attempts and two shots on goal. Getting dominated in the third isn’t unheard of, as many teams turtle to protect leads. But the Rangers didn’t turtle, they just, didn’t really try on either side of the puck. It’s like they thought the game ended after two periods. Just very odd. Based on that one period, they deserved to lose in regulation. But at least they got a point.

On the bright side, Alex Georgiev again showed that he’s likely better as a starter than as a backup. He is not Henrik Lundqvist or Igor Shesterkin. But he’s capable. Perhaps this helps rebuild some trade value, either for the deadline or for the draft.

Vegas 1, Rangers 0 – Of course Howden scored

This was a nicely executed rush by Vegas, and quite honestly there wasn’t much wrong with how the Rangers backchecked. Brett Howden is faster than Kevin Rooney, and got a step on him to receive the pass from William Carrier. His first shot was stopped, but he got his own rebound.

Rangers 1, Vegas 1 – When Mika shoots, he scores

When Mika Zibanejad shoots, he scores. He used the defenseman as a screen here. Good to see him shooting more. The Rangers need it.

Rangers 2, Vegas 1 – Wow

What passing.

Vegas 2, Rangers 2 – Screen in front

Brett Howden stuck it to the Rangers again, winning the faceoff and getting the assist on Dylan Coghlan’s goal. No one picked up the screen in front, and Alex Georgiev never saw this.

Game Flow – The Rangers looked asleep

The Rangers came in flat, woke up a bit in the second, then went into a coma for the third.

Shot Heatmap – All Vegas

The Rangers had five even strength shot attempts in the third period. Five. That explains a lot here.

Individual Impact – Ugly

What happened to the defense in this one? What happened to the forwards? What happened to everyone outside the Kreider-Zibanejad-Kakko line? This is abysmal.

Vegas is still a good team, and the Rangers got a point. But this was not a pretty game for the Rangers. Yea, we can blame missing Artemiy Panarin, but this is a bunch of games in a row by the Rangers with poor process. This one was far more egregious though, with the Rangers playing maybe 20 minutes of actual hockey. This seems like another well timed four day break.

Charts at 5v5 from Hockey Stat Cards, Natural Stat Trick and HockeyViz.

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