Rangers Watch: TOR 6, NYR 2

The power play can forgive a multitude of sins but it wasn't enough to rescue the Rangers from their sinful performance.

New York's lazy play got them into a two goal hole early in the first. they were able to salvage the period on two PP goals, tying things up before the second.

Then came Nik Antropov. His first of two in the second period - on the way to a hat trick - took the wind out of the Rangers' sails. There was no recovering this time. The Blueshirts were on their way to 6-2 defeat and their second embarrassing loss in a row.

Coach Tom Renney took some pity on Henrik Lundqvist, putting Steven Valiquette between the pipes for the final frame. The King could have exhibited better rebound control but is hardly to blame for New York's dismal performance. His D-men took a vacation tonight. Even the steady Dan Girardi made an ill-advised back hand attempt to clear the zone which lead to a Leafs' goal. [Per Sam Weiman's blog, Shanny is calling the poor pass a set play gone bust. Um, yeah.]

When the Rangers roll into Atlanta tomorrow, they will be (almost) as desperate to turn things around as the Thrashers were in their the two team's last meeting, Atlanta's first game post-Bob Hartley. After a couple sound drubbings by its own hand, New York needs to come out playing for pride.

Recaps: Y!/AP, TSN Broadband