WINNIPEG, Manitoba — The Rangers stood by their defensive structure in the immediate aftermath of their Weekend of Missed Opportunities, in which they had two chances to capture the top wild-card spot in the East and failed to do so in such disappointing fashion.
After they took a 3-1 lead in the third period in Ottawa on Saturday afternoon, the Blueshirts were then outscored 10-3 by the Senators and Blue Jackets combined.
The Madison Square Garden crowd even booed them off the ice Sunday night following their third straight loss, a sound this team has heard on several occasions this season.
So what changed from the back-to-back shutouts they posted on March 2 and 3 to their back-to-back collapses on March 8 and 9?