Henrik Lundqvist can’t bare to look after Tyler Toffoli’s shot squeezes through.
AP Photo/Kathy Willens

It’s a good thing I decided at the last minute not to go. Maybe deep down, I knew it was coming. The all to predictable 1-0 Ben Scrivens’ shutout. Losing to the Kings is acceptable because they’re better. Getting beat by a backup makes it unbearable. A night after blanking the Canadiens with their backup, the Rangers returned the favor putting the Garden to sleep.

Save me the “tired excuse.” Every team plays back to backs. The Devils play the most in the league and they’re a lot older. Simply stated, you can’t lose games on home ice and call yourselves a contender. After eight games at Dolan’s renovated arena, the Rangers are .500 (4-4-0). Lose against the Bruins Tuesday- the game I chose instead- and that’s unacceptable. With a big five-game road trip coming and then John Tortorella’s return at the end of the month. It’s a critical stretch.

Right now, the Rangers are .500. They’re 10-10-0 through 20 games. That is when you start to judge teams. Well, guess what. Alain Vigneault’s club is mediocre. They have spurts where they look great and others where they disappoint. Tonight was a step in the wrong direction.

Even without Jon Quick and Jeff Carter, the Kings had no trouble completing a sweep of the Islanders, Devils and Rangers. Despite handing them power play after power play, LA came out on top because they play the most dull style only Darryl Sutter could be proud of. Patient, diligent checking teams like the Kings and Devils give them trouble for those very reasons. They out-grind you. This was always going to be a difficult game.

The Rangers fired blanks on three power plays including a five-on-three during a pivotal second period. Despite some heroic play from Henrik Lundqvist (29 saves with many spectacular), they trailed 1-0 on rookie Tyler Toffoli’s turnaround shot that deflected off Anton Stralman’s skate. Both Lundqvist and Stralman’s reaction said plenty. They knew one goal could decide it.

Unfortunately, it did due to the coaching staff’s stubbornness. Their unwillingness to adapt on a mediocre power play that’s only converted three times in over 30 chances on home ice, killed their chances. Scott Arniel has gotten plenty of credit for a more creative look to the PP. However, you have to wonder why Chris Kreider isn’t on the top unit. What did he do wrong? For better or worse, they continue to roll out Brad Richards, Ryan McDonagh, Derek Stepan, Ryan Callahan and Mats Zuccarello. As a unit, they’ve had some good moments. But like any, it can get stale.

Against an aggressive physical penalty kill, you have to get net pressure. The Rangers had none. Callahan was too much on the perimeter. During the two-man advantage, the points didn’t move the puck down low quick enough allowing the Kings’ triangle to recover. Even when the refs handed them an early Christmas gift with a dubious delay of game which replays showed went off Kreider, it was the same boring set up. They didn’t make Scrivens work. He made 37 saves. Big deal. The breakdown of a tired top unit:

Richards 6:13

Callahan 5:18

Stepan 5:52

McDonagh 6:07

Zuccarello 5:38

That’s too much. Especially when it’s not working. The second unit consisted of Kreider, Derick Brassard, a split of Carl Hagelin/Benoit Pouliot, Marc Staal and John Moore. The problem is simply they come on with 50 seconds. It makes it harder to get things done. With Moore continuing to struggle and Staal hardly offensive, you’re telling me they couldn’t use Mike Del Zotto? I know he’s hardly been a consistent power play performer. But from an offensive standpoint, it couldn’t hurt. I don’t get Vigneault’s lack of faith in Stralman. He can play power play and give them a righty option. Instead, he just plays five on five.

Sometimes, you’re going to have games where you must score on the power play. The Ranger special teams failed to take advantage. Another game where they got no points. The Kings formed a maze around Scrivens and allowed him to see the shots. The only time he was beaten was when Dominic Moore tried to pull a fast one, kicking the puck in with under three minutes left. It was a nice try but video review confirmed it.

The Bruins visit in two days. That will be another tight checking affair. Bring plenty of gum.

BONY 3 Stars:

3rd Star-Ben Scrivens, LAK (37-save shutout-the latest backup turned star)

2nd Star-Tyler Toffoli, LAK (4th of season at 1:23 of 2nd-game-winner)

1st Star-Henrik Lundqvist, NYR (29 saves incl. 11/11 in 3rd-wasted effort)