Desperate times call for desperate measures. Following last night’s Game 3 disappointment, the Rangers are staring at an o-3 hole against the Kings. Their season has come down to this. Put together a four-game winning streak or watch Los Angeles skate off with the Stanley Cup. For the players, the task is broken down in simpler terms. Win Game 4 tomorrow.

”I am just extremely disappointed that we are in this hole,” Henrik Lundqvist told a group of reporters after allowing three goals on 15 shots. ”We have been talking about it after every game that we played really well, but in the end it’s about finding ways to win.”

”It’s not over,” Lundqvist added. ”We are looking at getting the next game, that’s all we think about right now is that win. In a game like this, every little play matters and it feels like they had the luck so far in these three games where it feels like the game has been pretty even.

”But they have been finding ways to get the big goals at the right times.”

Lundqvist is far from alone in his assertion that the series has been closer than the Kings 3-0 lead. The Rangers blew two-goal leads in each of the first two games falling in sudden death. Game 2 was harder on them with Dwight King’s controversial goal sparking an LA revival.

It’s always tough when you lose. But what they can’t feel is sorry for themselves. They’re in this hole because they haven’t shown enough killer instinct. In Games 1 and 2, they didn’t slam the door shut on a resilient opponent only too willing to take it away. Last night was a different story with the Kings able to finally grab a lead and protect it. A reverse trend. The only difference is Jonathan Quick made it stand by playing his best game so far making 32 saves for the shutout. He got enough support with a three-goal cushion insurmountable.

Right now, the Rangers have no one to blame but themselves. They weren’t good enough Monday night. Despite outshooting the Kings by a wide margin (32-15), it was misleading. The effort was there with Mats Zuccarello playing his second straight beastly game with a sprawling Quick robbing him on the doorstep. Derick Brassard also was denied on the power play and Rick Nash couldn’t quite get the handle on a wrap around attempt past a sliding Drew Doughty.

For the most part, Quick saw the shots and wasn’t screened enough the way his team has done to Lundqvist throughout. Facing one of the game’s best, you have to make it more difficult. I just don’t feel they did enough to make Quick uncomfortable. There weren’t enough bodies in front. One of the biggest differences is the Kings’ willingness to get the puck to open points and get shots through a maze of traffic. The Rangers have been more tentative hesitating way too much including on a cartoonish power play that teases our fans to death. By the third period, the Kings had figured it out easily killing off the last couple.

There haven’t been enough adjustments either from the coaching staff. Alain Vigneault can’t keep sending out the same lines. Brad Richards’ struggles have been well documented yet he received over half his ice-time manning the point on the power play. At even strength, he’s overmatched. I just don’t know how you can keep playing him on the top PP unit. Complicating matters, there aren’t many options. I wouldn’t be opposed to seeing Martin St. Louis on the right point which would allow for Rick Nash to play in the half circle where he could blast away. At least he finally saw some time. With Nash, it isn’t about effort because it’s there. But he’s their biggest weapon which is why he needs to be on the man-advantage more consistently.

Derek Stepan has been neutralized by Anze Kopitar. I don’t get why Vigneault keeps that match-up. He has the last change and can dictate more against Darryl Sutter. These are little things that matter in such a big series. At this critical juncture, Vigneault must do whatever he can to help his team win starting tomorrow. Even if that means sprinkling his lines, it’s time to pull out all the stops. I’m not suggesting benching Richards because he’s part of the leadership even if his postgame commentary was puzzling. You’d like to see him be more positive. It’s not over yet.

If anything, there should be more anger in their voices. That’s most frustrating. You didn’t see any skirmishes during scrums. What are they waiting for? Against the Pens, they summoned up the energy and right away got into their heads. I’d like to see some of that edge tomorrow. If they’re going to go down, go down swinging. Give the Kings something to think about.