Ottawa 9, NY Rangers 1: Rangers fall flat defensively
That was awful. We were outskated, we didn't think -- we were awful.
- NY Rangers center Eric Lindros
Boy, that Jaromir Jagr sure seems to be the answer to the prayers of Rangers fans, eh? A day after trading Anson Carter straight up for Jagr (My, 'tis amazing how Wonder Boy's stock has fallen, isn't it?), the Rangers began the Jagr era by falling on their collective ass. Honestly, I think Washington may have gotten the better end of the trade. Now they at least have someone in Anson Carter who is motivated and willing to work- which is more than anyone has been able to say about Wonder Boy recently.
If the Rangers future is anything like their present, not even Divine Intervention will save them. Judging by last night's travesty, the boodbirds at MSG had best warm up their voices- they're going to get a LOT of practice.
OTTAWA (AP) -- Even on Jaromir Jagr's best night, he couldn't supply as much offense as the New York Rangers needed....
"It wasn't the start I was looking for, that's for sure," said Jagr, acquired from Washington in a long-rumored deal completed Friday.
As has been New York's problem throughout the season, its defense and goaltending faltered. Jussi Markkanen allowed six goals in the first and third periods and Jason LaBarbera, recalled Friday from the AHL, yielded three in the second as the Rangers' losing streak hit four games and their winless streak was stretched to six (0-4-2)....
"It's not nice to lose 9-1 in your first game, but hopefully the worst is behind me and this team, and we somehow learn from this loss and turn things around," Jagr said....
"It's not nice to lose 9-1 in your first game, but hopefully the worst is behind me and this team, and we somehow learn from this loss and turn things around," Jagr said.
"Describe it? I don't think it's possible," Rangers coach and general manager Glen Sather said. "It's one of the worst beatings I've taken in my career. It seemed like everyone stood around and was waiting for Jagr to win it for us."
Man, that was U-G-L-Y. Having always been something of a closet Rangers fan, I hope that they can turn things around. Unfortunately, it's going to take more than one overpaid, undermotivated, washed-up former superstar to accomplish that. The Rangers have one of the highest (if not THE highest) payrolls in the NHL, and yet they play like the JV from Our Lady of Perpetual Motion Prep School. I'd hazard a guess that they could probably call up 3/4 of the roster from their AHL club in Binghamton without doing any worse than they are now. At least they'd have a group of motivated players on their hands. Rangers fans deserve at least that much, no?
