Sloppy Rangers left defenseless again in ugly blowout loss to Oilers

EDMONTON, Alberta — It should be acknowledged that this was the Rangers’ first set of back-to-back losses this season, which has seen the team collect double the amount of wins compared to regulation losses thus far.It has to be pointed out because despite going 2-2 on this four-game western road trip — after a dismal 6-2 loss to the Oilers Saturday night at Rogers Place capped the swing — the Rangers are beyond fortunate to be where they’re at considering how inconsistent play has been over the past month.Just over a year has gone by since the Blueshirts swept this exact western Canada leg last season.It feels more like a century ago now.The Rangers have given up five goals or more five times already this season.

Thanksgiving is next week.“We knew [the Oilers were a good team on the rush], we talked about it,” head coach Peter Laviolette said.“We talked about trying to stay above them and get above them and sometimes we put ourselves in bad positions, sometimes we lost foot races, sometimes we turned the puck over, sometimes we fell down in the offensive zone and lost an edge and the rush just comes back at you quick.”Laviolette has preached the concept of attacking the game since he took over the team last year.

but the Rangers bench boss has watched his team roll on its back and show its belly for periods at a time this season.The Rangers have had zero fighting spirit to start games lately, a glaring concern that has naturally given their opponents the upper hand every time.In their last two first periods combined, the Blueshirts have been outshot by a deplorable 41-14.This after the Oilers hung two goals on 21 shots on Rangers goalie Jonathan Quick through the opening 20 minutes Saturday night.“Not good enough the last two games, first periods haven’t been great,” Jimmy Vesey said.

“Twenty shots, around, the last two first periods and overall I don’t think our first periods have been great all year.It’s not a recipe for success....