Leafs Invasion: The Leafs celebrate Tyler Bozak’s goal as J.T. Miller can’t look.
AP Photo Courtesy Getty Images by Kathy Kmonicek

Over 82 games, there will be days like this. Hopefully, the Rangers are getting theirs out of the way and fast. A day after a disjointed loss in Columbus, they suffered a 6-3 humiliation at the hands of the Maple Leafs in an ugly home opener.

A game my Dad, Justin and Mike attended was one of the worst at MSG in quite a while invoking memories of Atlanta during the Dark Ages. At least, PA announcer Joe Tolleson introduced Derek Stepan and late scratch Mats Zuccarello during a nice opening ceremony that saw the team gather in a circle at center ice. There also was the rousing ovation for the 27th captain in franchise history Ryan McDonagh and the usual loud reception for Henrik Lundqvist. That turned out to be the highlight.

Fresh off a second consecutive ugly defeat to start the season, the Leafs recovered from a sluggish start to storm our team, which looks out of sorts. There’s no question injuries to Stepan, Zuccarello and especially Dan Boyle are already showing. Defensively, they were abominable. So many blown coverages and even a poor showing by Lundqvist eventually got him a seat on the bench. He was chased after allowing six goals on 24 shots. Like with Cam Talbot Saturday, it’s hard to pin it on him. He wasn’t sharp permitting a couple he normally stops including Cody Franson’s power play goal that opened things up.

If you’re gonna lose, you may as well get blown out. The Rangers stunk and paid dearly stunning everyone. I guess I shouldn’t have jinxed it. I thought for sure they’d win. That’s why they play the games. For whatever reason, they weren’t ready. Even after a good start that saw them generate pressure, a lazy penalty by Dominic Moore resulted in Franson finishing off a beautiful passing play started by Phil Kessel with Tyler Bozak threading the needle which the Toronto defenseman easily finished 17 seconds into the power play.

The Leafs controlled most of the first period thanks to sloppy play from the Rangers. They turned over the puck a lot and by night’s end, were credited with 16 giveaways to the Leafs’ 2. With his wife in labor, Rick Nash scored for a third straight game. Following a successful penalty kill of a Marc Staal minor, Staal made a nice outlet for Martin St. Louis, who centered for a sweet Nash finish at the goalmouth tying it at 17:22. Once the game was out of reach, Nash left to be with his wife.

Even though they were tied, I never had a good feeling. A Matt Hunwick undisciplined hi-sticking minor quickly resulted in Kessel ripping his first past Lundqvist at 5:19 of the second. Franson and Dion Phaneuf perfectly set it up. It was another blown assignment that left one of the game’s best finishers wide open. It got even worse. James van Riemsdyk increased Toronto’s lead to 3-1 when the Rangers’ top tandem of McDonagh and Dan Girardi went towards Leo Komarov behind the net allowing him to pass for a wide open Van Riemsdyk.

Anthony Duclair tried his best drawing the Rangers’ first power play. His skating forced Stephane Robidas to hook him. But the power play was just as atrocious allowing a Nazem Kadri shorthanded goal. J.T. Miller forced a pass to the middle that allowed the Leafs to go the opposite direction. McDonagh compounded it by losing a battle at his own blueline resulting in Kadri going in alone on Lundqvist. He used a nice deke to open up Lundqvist’s legs for a crushing shorty.

Trailing by three, the Rangers got one back after video review confirmed that Lee Stempniak was in the process of shooting when a Leaf pushed the goal off its moorings. It was the second consecutive game Stempniak scored. When he is your best player behind Nash, that’s not a good sign. There were too many passengers.

Following some more pressure, Bozak scored a back breaker 59 seconds later when he used Girardi as a screen and had a stoppable shot go through Lundqvist. At that point, Talbot put his gear on. But before he got in, former Devil David Clarkson rebounded home his first only 48 seconds later making it 6-2. Finally Lundqvist came out probably wondering what happened.

This definitely isn’t the same roster that went to the Stanley Cup Final. Not having Stepan is hurting them. He plays all three zones and can be relied on for power play and penalty kill. Even with St. Louis off to a good start centering the top line, the Rangers’ lack of center depth is exposed. Rookie Kevin Hayes debuted and looked alright. He almost had a goal but James Reimer denied him. Before an injury forced him out, Reimer was good stopping 24 of 26 shots. He made timely saves.

By the third, there really wasn’t much left to see. I didn’t watch much opting to check out the latest ESPN 30 For 30 on Boston College Point Shaving. With the Giants just as abysmal, it was a much more entertaining alternative. While I was away, Derick Brassard got off the snide tallying his first from Chris Kreider and Stempniak against Toronto reliever Jonathan Bernier. Brassard played with Kreider and Stempniak on a new line.

Alain Vigneault kept Duclair with St. Louis and Nash. Hayes played for Zuccarello, who sat out due to a banged up shoulder sustained Saturday. Hopefully, it’s not serious. After Nash departed, Hayes saw some time on the top line. Miller played mostly with Hayes and Carl Hagelin. They went a combined minus-7. J.T. had another poor showing and is really making bad decisions. He might need to sit out for the Islanders on Tuesday. This isn’t the start he needed.

On a brighter note, Jesper Fast looked better. He was more noticeable and did some good things. I don’t know what the infatuation is with Tanner Glass. He did register a big time hit on Clarkson that should’ve been penalized because it came from behind. That hit resulted in a dangerous Leafs chance. Fortunately, Lundqvist stopped it. Glass is a physical player who continues to get penalty kill time playing over two minutes tonight. But he doesn’t have to play every day. Can they please try Ryan Malone Tuesday? This is Vigneault and I have no clue what he’ll decide.

It would be easy to sound the alarms. The Rangers have dropped two straight in awful fashion. Losing to the Jackets is one thing. Getting embarrassed at home by the Leafs is another. However, when you have injuries it hurts. Glen Sather replaced Raphael Diaz with Hunwick and Mike Kostka. That money could’ve been better spent. I’d rather see things break down early. It’s going to be a challenge. Kevin Klein was an adventure again. At least Staal looked good for a second straight night. He has been active in both ends. The Islanders visit next. How will they respond?

NY Puck 3 Stars:

3rd Star-Lee Stempniak, NYR (2nd of season, assist-consistent effort)

2nd Star-Cody Franson, Leafs (PPG, assist in 25 shifts-17:07)

1st Star-Phil Kessel, Leafs (1st of season, 2 assists-backed up his goal guarantee)