Rangers Recap: Play with fire, get burned

It seems that whenever the Rangers play at the old Saddledome in Calgary, the game is a total mess. From the officials, to allowing 49 shots on goal, to the nonchalant play through the first 35 minutes of the game, the Rangers deserved the loss. Arrogance is not entirely the right word, because the Rangers aren’t cocky, but they have a tendency to take entire periods off before flipping the switch and trying. Last night, it wasn’t enough.

There is no denying that Igor Shesterkin is worth the money. It’s pretty clear that he is the absolute best in the business and last night would have been a bigger train wreck without him. Calgary threw everything at him: Deflections, high danger chances, shots off the post, and Igor allowed just three by him. Clunkers happen, and he’s proven he can steal a game, even if he came up just short last night.

The effects of missing Filip Chytil showed up in force in Calgary. With Chytil, that line can be a stabilizing and dominating force that allows the other lines to wake up and get their games together. Without, they are missing that one piece that gets them moving. Jonny Brodzinski has been fine, but he’s not Chytil. There was no line that could stop the bleeding the way the third line has been able to for much of the season. Now that Chytil re-joined the team, it’s likely he will be back in the lineup against the Oilers.

The one bright spot last night was Will Cuylle, who looked like the only skater that showed up. His game tying goal was off a pretty re-direct, and he was one of the only players that looked good in Calgary. With 7 goals already, all at even strength, he’s playing his way into skipping a bridge deal and signing a long-term contract this summer. He doesn’t get powerplay time, or else we might see an even more dominant breakout season.

The tools are there for Cuylle. He could be the kind of player the Rangers always got beat by come playoff time. Last year was a glimpse of what he could do, this year it’s full immersion, and it’s so fun to watch.