Make no mistake the Rangers reputation is on the line tonight.
The utterly calamitous performance on Tuesday night, abjectly losing to Calgary, has stirred molten anger in Rangerville, the likes of which I've never seen.
More than one reputable Blueshirt commentator brazenly declared that the Rangers didn't care which – when you consider the playoff race – is outrageous to say the least.
"It won't be hard to change things for the better," insists The Old Scout. "All it will take is a strong team effort against Toronto tonight at The Garden and things will start looking up again."
Fed up with cheery – usually unreal – homilies doled out by the likes of Mika Zibanejad, Breadman Panarin and Vincent Trocheck, fans want action not words.
"Competition is so tight for the Wild Cards," adds The Old Scout, "that it won't take much that a couple of wins won't cure."
Nobody expects the Leafs to be a pushover tonight; and that's precisely the point. Fans want to see the Blueshirts beat an elite team and Toronto is one of them.
Igor Shesterkin – he kept the game close against Calgary – must start in goal. He was valiant but still a loser to the Flames who beat New York with a second-string goalie.
There's still time for the Fat Cats to show their claws. But another night like Tuesday's and The Garden will have to start a Beer League – sprinkled with Rangers!
