‘Frustrated’ Peter Laviolette criticizes Rangers following 5-1 hammering loss against Devils

New York Rangers coach Peter Laviolette criticized his team for their poor performance in the 5-1 thumping defeat against New Jersey Devils.

‘Frustrated’ Peter Laviolette criticizes Rangers following 5-1 hammering loss against Devils

Peter Laviolette (Image via NY Post)

The New York Rangers have lost once again. After breaking their five-game losing run through an overtime win against the Montreal Canadiens, the Rangers were blown away again. This time their rivals, the New Jersey Devils hammered them 5-1.

A ‘frustrated’ Peter Laviolette later criticized his team for this performance. The Rangers who started the season strongly, once again found themselves at the backfoot quickly in this game. Inside 90 seconds, the team found themselves 1-0 down as Jesper Bratt opened the scoring.

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A goal from Dawson Mercer made it 2-0 for the Devils in the first period. Dougie Hamilton extended the lead to three goals on a powerplay before Jack Hughes rebounded a shot from his brother Luke Hughes to make it 4-0.

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Chris Kreider pulled one back for the Rangers but they conceded another goal from Hughes in the second period to go down 5-1. In the press conference after the game, coach Laviolette admitted his team was not playing how they needed to be.

I hate the first goal. We talk about not giving up odd-man rushes from the offensive zone and we did… We block a shot or a shot gets blocked, they come around and they scored a second goal. We leave their 2-0 on just only giving up a couple of even strength chances. So it’s frustrating from that standpoint. You leave the first period, and you’re down 2-0, that’s not the way you want to start a division game against the Devils. It’s not good. It’s not where we want to be.

Peter Laviolette said in the press conference

The 59-year-old claimed that the team needs to be sharper on the ice when they take in the first period. He further added that sitting there and accepting what they were doing is itself unacceptable.

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Mika Zibanejad reflects on Rangers poor run of form following 5-1 loss

The New York Rangers find themselves in a difficult position at the moment. The loss on Monday night turned out of their sixth loss in seven games. Centre player Mika Zibanejad would reflect on this poor run of form and claimed it was not the “best of times” for them right now.

Mika Zibanejad
Mika Zibanejad (Image via NY Times)

The Swedish international claimed that everyone in the locker room has the attitude to turn things around. He further added that the team needs to find a balance between desperation and cool head.

The will and the want to turn this around, I don’t think anyone of us would be here if we didn’t have the attitude, but it still has to translate on the ice. Just got to be a balance of desperation, but also a cool head, too…It’s not the best of times.

Mika Zibanejad said in the post-game conference

Meanwhile, captain Jacob Trouba said something similar. The defenseman claimed that these were not “fun times” to go through. The American international once again claimed that the team has to find a way through this adversity they are currently facing.

With six losses from their last seven games, the Rangers are now left with a 13-10-1 record. Before this losing run, they were on a three-game winning streak and had a positive 12-4-1 record.

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Their next game will be against the Pittsburgh Penguins, who have won three games on the bounce and can make it four if they win against the Florida Panthers. Given the current form of the two teams, the Penguins could find themselves as favorites against the Rangers, even if they lose against the Panthers on Tuesday.