Helpless Hank: Henrik Lundqvist watches the Devils celebrate their fourth goal.
AP Photo/Julio Cortez

In a word, humiliating. Embarrassing would be an appropriate way to describe the Rangers tonight. Facing a previously winless Hudson rival, they went through the motions at Prudential Center. How else can you explain losing 4-0 to the Devils? This was one of the worst games I’ve seen from this team in a long time. It was so bad that it reminded of the listless losers when Glen Sather first took over.

Zero passion. Little effort. Dreadful defense. And no goaltending. That’s right. Henrik Lundqvist was awful. At one point, he gave up four goals on 14 shots. After that, the Devils just sat back and trapped. They didn’t even have to earn their first win. It was handed to them by a punch less, gutless team that couldn’t be bothered. It’s bad enough Coach Clueless had Taylor Pyatt on the top line. Neither Patrik Elias nor Damien Brunner played for the other side. They weren’t needed. If the Devils had as much skill as the Sharks, it could’ve been nine. The four still were an accomplishment for a team that hadn’t been scoring.

It was understood that without Ryan Callahan, the Rangers were going to have to play a low scoring, tight checking game. Instead, they tossed pucks away and couldn’t complete tape to tape passes. The end result was a humiliation from a struggling Hudson rival that desperately needed jolt. The Rangers provided it along with comic relief for Devil fans who are still upset about the goal song. They got to celebrate White Stripes “Seven Nation Army” four times.

Andrei Loktionov started the scoring thanks to an awful rebound from Lundqvist. A John Moore giveaway at the blueline led to Devil defenseman Anton Volchenkov firing a harmless slapper on Lundqvist. He let out a juicy rebound right to Loktionov who buried his first at 7:22. The other defenseman out was Justin Falk, who was having an active shift until the cruel ending. No one took Loktionov. Over five minutes later, Adam Henrique caught Lundqvist napping from the left circle with an unscreened shot short side. Dan Girardi was caught flat footed inside the Devil zone. Jaromir Jagr cleared the zone to Rotislav Olesz, who fed Henrique for his second.

The only positive from the lifeless period was a big hit delivered by Benoit Pouliot. Upset that Andy Greene caught teammate Mats Zuccarello with his head down, Pouliot retaliated with a clean check on Bryce Salvador that knocked the Devil captain down. His momentum carried him into the boards making for a scary moment. He had to be helped off the ice. Fortunately, he was able to return. Pouliot showed some edge throwing a couple of hits. But remains stuck on zero points in seven games. The same output as Zuccarello. Unacceptable.

A Dominic Moore penalty for a face-off violation led directly to the Devils’ third goal. It took them all of 18 seconds to take advantage with Michael Ryder connecting from the point for his third. They moved the puck around with Jagr combining with Marek Zidlicky to find Ryder, whose shot dipped beneath Lundqvist. I could care less if Joe Micheletti made an excuse saying he was screened in front. It was another stoppable shot. The Devils made it 4-0 when Dainius Zubrus was allowed to get to another loose puck and chip a backhand past Lundqvist. Fittingly, Salvador assisted on it showing toughness. Zidlicky drew the other assist for his second point. Both the elder Czechs (Jagr and Zidlicky) had two assists. That should tell you something.

How bad were the Rangers? They barely could penetrate a Devil D that had struggled protecting leads. There was no sustained fore-check pressure. Not much of anything. Cory Schneider may as well have had a lounge chair in Point Pleasant. He made 19 saves for his first shutout as a Devil. Probably one of the easiest games of his career.

Taylor Pyatt had probably the best chance but typically missed an open side when it was still close. How bad is it when Pyatt is on the top line? Brad Richards hardly had the puck. The ice was choppy for both sides. But it was like the Rangers never played before. I’ve already echoed that and we’re seven games in. Derek Stepan was invisible. Girardi struggled as did Marc Staal. The only forwards who were noticeable in garbage time were Brian Boyle, Derek Dorsett and Jesper Fast. Fast drew a penalty and finished a check. Dorsett and Boyle gave max effort. But it’s their fault the team sucks.

No Ranger did anything to change the momentum. Without Callahan, they’re very soft. An easy team to play against. The highlight of the night was MSG showing Carl Hagelin practicing. Then they showed the bridges, which will take up half the arena. As if anyone cares. This is what Dolan cares about. Not a winning product. That’s why Sather still keeps his job. He brought the media darling to coach this club. All he does is chew gum aimlessly. Never bothers to use a timeout. Why even bother? Listening to Alain Vigneault’s press conference is enough to make you puke. He referenced how they only gave up eight chances. Did he watch? There was zero disdain. The guy’s a puppet. Imagine if they lose to the Flyers and Red Wings before the home opener. They could be 2-7-0 with fans wanting AV gone.

Without Callahan and Nash, this team is severely lacking talent. Hagelin can help. But how much should be expected? If Lundqvist doesn’t perform, they’re a lottery team. Tonight, he may as well have been promoting shampoo. At least Hartford won.