"There were very few bright spots last night, one of them Noah Laba's first NHL goal. Through 10 games, Laba has done well in the bottom six, though not without some hiccups. He's one of the team's better face-off men, he can drive play, it's likely he lost some assists playing with his previous wingers, and he has a really good forechecking mentality. He will be a solid 3C as long as the Rangers don't mess this one up too."
"Igor Shesterkin can only do so much. He wasn't going to sport a .985 save percentage all season, and the team in front of him has taken a step back defensively. They are reverting back to habitual tendencies that were so prevalent in last year's Rangers. Mike Sullivan is very much safe with his job, but if even he can't get the rest of this core to buy-in to the low-event, team defense driven system, then what else is there to do?"
The Rangers lost 5-1 to the Calgary Flames and continue to struggle turning chances into results after a similar loss a season ago that preceded a roster upheaval. Noah Laba scored his first NHL goal and has shown strong face-off work, play-driving ability, and forechecking in a bottom-six role. Igor Shesterkin remains limited by a defense that has regressed and reverted to last season's tendencies. Mike Sullivan's job appears secure, but system buy-in from core players is in doubt. The team sits last in the Eastern Conference yet remains only one point out of a playoff spot.
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