It was an emotional Sunday night for some fans at Madison Square Garden. Derick Brassard, who was a member of the New York Rangers for four years, made his return to Madison Square Garden, and it was one that maybe some don’t quite want to remember. Although it was a lovely homecoming for Brass, the Rangers were shut out by an incredible performance by Craig Anderson, besting Antti Raanta and handing him his first loss of the season.
The New York Rangers had one of their sloppiest performances of the season thus far, and it seemed as if there was no intensity or will to win on Sunday. Jean-Gabriel Pageau and Mark Stone scored for the Senators while Craig Anderson stopped all 33 shots he was up against, including a close wrap-around by Ryan McDonagh and a couple breakaways late. Anderson also has defeated the Rangers in back-to-back starts, and both of them were shutouts.
Head coach Alain Vigneault told reporters, “Ottawa played a strong checking game and made it very hard on us tonight to get anything as far as grade-A opportunities.” Ryan McDonagh also noted that the Senators played perfect defense and they made it extremely difficult for the Rangers to score.
Now, as if the Rangers weren’t in a tough enough bind with a difficult end to November and Pavel Buchnevich still out, the team may be without center J.T. Miller. After Monday morning’s skate in Westchester, AV noted that Miller took a stick to the knee in Sunday’s loss and required stitches, and was given a maintenance day. If he is unable to play Tuesday against Carolina, Oscar Lindberg will be inserted in the lineup.
It was truly wonderful to see Derick Brassard return to MSG as he was extremely well-liked by the fans, but of course, everyone wanted a different outcome. The Rangers close out November against Jeff Skinner and the Carolina Hurricanes on Tuesday night at home.
