Rangers Deserved a Thrashing; Fall to Atlanta 5-4 in Shootout

Quick Hits...

- Rangers had a 4-1 lead. Gave up a debilitating goal right at the end of the 2nd period. Gave up 2 more 3rd period goals. That gives the Rangers -11 goal differential in the 3rd under Tortorella. Not a recipe for wins.

- 4 shots in the 3rd period is unacceptable.

- For not playing in a while, Steve Valiquette did an admirable job. He wasn't given enough support by his teammates but did try his best to keep them in the game. Although, you can make the case if Lundqvist was in net maybe one of those goals do not go in. Congrats to Vally on his first NHL assist on Drury's goal.

- 2-10, doesn't look so bad, right? That's 20%, which is remarkably better than what the Rangers PP for the season amounts to. But, factor in 2 short 5-on-3 PP's (one in the 3rd period), and a 4-on-3 PP and that 2-10 looks paltry.

- I guess Zherdev was napping during the shootout.

Finally, as a fan you can't help but get a chuckle out of Tortorella's post-game, cut-short news conference when he flat out said his team "sucked tonight." That's the type of blunt force honesty you'll get from John Tortorella. However, what the media and, especially, the fans deserve is an explanation about why they sucked? Why they continue to give up 3rd period goals? Why Zherdev wasnt used in the shootout? Why Avery wasnt used in OT? It's comicial, but in more ways that you think.

Until next time...

J.W.