Just when they appeared to have turned the corner, the Rangers took 3 1/2 steps back and now have major health concerns. They have gone 0-3-1 in their last four games. After losing twice to Montreal in regulation and scratching out a point in a shootout loss at Ottawa, things didn't get better for the Rangers. Upon their return home Tuesday, the Rangers fell to Winnipeg, 4-3. They're in 11th place in the Eastern Conference. But is it time to panic? Not quite yet.
The good: The Rangers aren't 30th in power-play efficiency anymore! They're tied for 29th ... so there's that. When Ryan Callahan scored Tuesday, he ended a goalless drought that had lasted more than 100 minutes.
The bad: After playing a mostly unwatchable game against Montreal on Tuesday, the Rangers headed to Canada to face the Senators and, following an exciting third period and overtime, took part in one of the more dreadful shootouts you will see. In seven rounds, they scored once, and they didn't even hit the net in their final three attempts. The worst of these misses was Chris Kreider's of an open net after a nifty move. To make matters worse, all this came against backup Ottawa goalie Ben Bishop after Vezina candidate Craig Anderson left the game with an injury. To top it all, the winning goal came on a whiffed shot that somehow snuck between Henrik Lundqvist's legs.
The ugly: The list of injured Rangers keeps growing. Rick Nash has missed the last four games with an undisclosed injury, leading many to suspect he is concussed. Given the quick start to his Rangers career and the path back from head injuries, those rumors are disconcerting.
Ryan McDonagh was hit hard in Saturday's game against Montreal and may also be dealing with a concussion. Michael Del Zotto has missed two games with a lower-body injury. Arron Asham was the fourth Ranger to sit out Tuesday's loss due to injury. Some good news: Dan Girardi showed no ill effects after taking a puck off the ankle on Saturday. Darroll Powe also returned, but the absence of the top-flight players hurt the Rangers despite their repeated comeback attempts. Head coach John Tortorella doesn't discuss injuries -- much to the chagrin of reporters trying to file off-day stories -- but the Rangers are hopeful Nash can return Thursday.
Up next: The Rangers continue a four-game homestand when Tampa Bay, Buffalo and Philadelphia visit Madison Square Garden. During that stretch, they'll try to pick up points, which would be a wonderful antidote to the strange suggestions that they are soft. Max Pacioretty, who wasn't suspended for his hit on McDonagh, may have gotten a reaction (read: fight) from other teams, but not the Rangers. As Tortorella said Monday, "You have to remember, we are trying to win a hockey game." In other words, fighting is secondary to scoring right now.
