Rangers fail to build on momentum as power play flounders again in loss to Capitals

WASHINGTON — The mounting losses have eroded nearly every part of the Rangers’ game, even the one that was once a foundational piece of their success.Five-on-five play was better Saturday at Capital One Arena than it had been, but the Blueshirts curdled in the special teams battle in a 7-4 loss to the first-place team in the Metropolitan Division, the Capitals.Whiffing on four power-play opportunities and giving up two on the penalty kill, the Rangers — once again — could not build on their previous win.The loss counted as their fifth in their past six games, eighth in their past 10 and 16th in their past 21.Alex Ovechkin notched goal No.

872 in the victory to bring the Capitals star within 23 of breaking Wayne Gretzky’s all-time scoring record.On the other side, Rangers goalie Jonathan Quick was denied win No.

400.Special teams has anchored the Rangers through inconsistent five-on-five play in recent years, but there isn’t a single aspect of the team’s game this season that has been operating at a high level.The power play is 1-for-29 in the past 10 games after an 0-for-4 showing Saturday.The penalty kill has also given up seven power-play goals in the past five, including the Capitals’ two.It wasn’t just the statistics of the Rangers’ power play but the ineffectiveness of their man-advantage stretches altogether.

Despite finishing with the same number of power plays, the Capitals doubled the Rangers’ shots with the man advantage (10-5).There were issues holding the zone and a horrific back-check by Alexis Lafreniere, who only just earned the promotion to the first power-play unit.It prompted Mika Zibanejad to retake his spot later in the game.Just a week ago, K’Andre Miller correctly identified how the Rangers have felt like they’ve already lost the game when they’re losing.The Rangers didn’t give up in this one, however, as other lopsided scores have indicated as of late.Scoring twice in the final 20 minutes on goals from Filip C...