3 Rangers takeaways from another loss when seeking 3rd straight win

Three takeaways from Rangers 3-1 loss to Oilers

Here are three takeaways from the Rangers’ home-ice loss Sunday.

1. No three for you

New York’s inability to put together an extended winning streak is a painful recurring theme this season. That point was hammered home again Sunday, when the Rangers failed to win a third straight game. They haven’t won three games in a row in four months, dating to Nov. 14-19.

It’s the seventh time since mid-November that the Rangers won two straight but couldn’t get that third win. On top of that, the Rangers have won at least three in a row just twice this season, topped by a four-game winning streak Oct. 14-22. It’s no wonder why their in such a dog fight to make the Stanley Cup Playoffs this season.

2. Getting defensive

Ever since the Columbus Blue Jackets hung a seven spot on them March 9 at MSG, the Rangers have tightened things up defensively. They’ve allowed seven goals in their past four games, which includes a 4-0 shutout win Saturday as a payback of sorts against the Blue Jackets. The Rangers allowed an average of 24 shots on goal per game the past four.

It was more of the same against Connor McDavid and Co. on Sunday. The Rangers shut down the Oilers transition game and limited them off the rush, for the most part, and really controlled the neutral zone. They didn’t get pinned for stretches in their own end.

The Oilers managed 23 shots on goal, only one by McDavid, who was neutralized all night until he got a sliver of daylight late in the third period and wired a shot past Shesterkin. Leon Draisaitl was more noticeable for Edmonton, but still only managed two shots on goal and five attempts, though he picked up an assist to extend his point streak to 18 games, longest in the NHL this season. Ryan Nugent-Hopkins was Edmonton’s most effective forward, finishing with three assists, though without a shot on goal.

3. Looking Foxy

Adam Fox didn’t wind up on the score sheet Sunday, but he was real noticeable at both ends of the rink, playing on back-to-back nights after returning from an eight-game injury absence. It’s not that Fox did anything out of this world, but he just appeared more in command out there than he did Saturday, chewing up a team-high 24:26 TOI.

Fox broke up several passing plays with a good stick and smart anticipation in his own end. Then in the offensive end, he was clearly in control, running things from the point, even though he managed just one shot on goal, which led to a prime scoring opportunity for Mike Zibnajead on a rebound in the third period, that Skinner made a terrific arm save on.

The negative is that the Fox-led power play was 0-for-3. And he didn’t tie Corey Perry up in front of Shesterkin when Perry fell to his knees and buried a power-play rebound with under a minute to play in the first period to give the Oilers a 1-0 lead.