"Here we are again. Another regulation loss, another low-scoring game, another bad team effort, and with 25% of the season complete, now is the time where the early season questions can start to become concerns. For the majority of October, it was "Just wait until the team has Trocheck back in the lineup, everything will rebound then." The wins have not come in bunches, the goaltending is being hung out to dry by questionable efforts in the defensive zone, particularly by the captain last night."
"With just 4 goals and 6 assists through 21 games, Miller is on pace for roughly 37 points. If he is injured, he has to be a true leader and get healthy. He cannot lead while looking this bad out there. A goal was disallowed because he skated at a beer league pace through the neutral zone with the puck while Mika Zibanejad and Jonny Brodzinski were absolutely flying up to the ice."
"The stinker Igor Shesterkin allowed in the second period will catch eyes, but he was also the only reason why the Rangers were truly in this game. It makes it the second game in a row where the goalie bailed the team out and saved them from themselves. There is no reason why the Rangers structure should have deteriorated as quick as it has, and it's clear there are perhaps more growing pains we must witness before it's habit for this team."
With 25% of the season complete, the team has multiple regulation losses, low scoring, and poor team effort. For much of October hope rested on Trocheck's return, but wins have not materialized. Goaltending has been forced to compensate for defensive lapses, including a notable failure by the captain. Offense is stagnant. JT Miller has 4 goals and 6 assists in 21 games (projected ~37 points), displayed puck-watching on an opponent goal, and skated slowly on a disallowed play. Igor Shesterkin allowed a glaring goal in the second period yet remained the primary reason the team stayed competitive. The team appears to be relying heavily on Shesterkin and Jonathan Quick amid growing pains and deteriorating structure, making optimism difficult despite 60+ games remaining.
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