Rangers first NHL crew to be shut out in first 3 residence video games

NEW YORK — Mika Zibanejad was confused after he and the New York Rangers made historical past Tuesday night time by turning into the primary crew in NHL historical past to get shut out in every of its first three residence video games of the season.

“I don’t know whether to laugh or cry,” Zibanejad mentioned after a 2-0 loss to the Edmonton Oilers. “I honestly don’t know.”

The Rangers’ 180-minute drought at Madison Square Garden is the second longest to begin a season at residence, behind solely the now-defunct Pittsburgh Pirates in 1928. They went the primary 187:19 with no objective at Duquesne Gardens earlier than Hib Milks scored. The Pirates’ streak was longer due to time beyond regulation.

The earlier longest within the trendy period amongst groups that also exist was 155:17 by the Florida Panthers in 2001.

“This is a unique start to a season,” captain J.T. Miller mentioned. “It sucks that we had a couple games where we feel like we’ve really thrown a lot at the other team and we’re not getting rewarded.”

Artemi Panarin had an early probability on their lonesome in entrance in opposition to Edmonton that was stopped by Stuart Skinner. Will Cuylle additionally bought the puck on internet after an Oilers turnover solely to be turned apart, and fourth-liners Adam Edstrom and Matt Rempe had high quality alternatives on the sting of the crease.

“We can all go home and sleep well knowing we played another good home game,” Miller mentioned. “We’re competitors. We want to win. We’d love to see the puck go in the net. Right now, it’s not.”

Sam Carrick nearly scored with 2:31 left, however Skinner flashed his glove to make the save.

None of these pictures made it over the objective line, and a few different makes an attempt rang off the crossbar and out.

“We have two crossbars that go crossbar or post that goes right by the goal line,” Zibanejad mentioned. “I think we’re creating lots of chances. I think there’s enough high-danger chances that we’re creating, but we’re not scoring. Simple.”

The Rangers have failed to attain on their first 90 pictures on objective at residence, and followers booed at one level after they got here up empty on consecutive energy performs.

“You’re dying to give the fans a reason to cheer,” Carrick mentioned. “They support us every night hugely here. Obviously they want to come and see goals. That’s the frustrating part.”

They must wait practically per week for his or her subsequent recreation on residence ice. New York goes on the street for video games at Toronto and Montreal earlier than returning to host Minnesota on Monday night time. Every participant who spoke after the Oilers recreation had the identical practice of considered not abandoning the construction that contributed to profitable twice on the street and being aggressive.

“It’s on us to make sure that the mindset stays the same in here and we don’t go off the grid to find something,” Miller mentioned. “We need to stay the course. Over time, results will come.”