Vladimir Tarasenko celebrates his shootout winner.
Getty Images/AP Photo by Kathy Kmonicek

Another hard fought game. Another shootout loss. The Rangers lost for a second straight time in the skill competition, dropping a 4-3 decision to the Blues at MSG. This one hurt more because they actually scored three goals. Marty St. Louis came alive tallying twice including the tying and go-ahead tallies to put the home team in position to sweep St. Louis. Instead, the Blues responded 1:16 later with Jay Bouwmeester rifling one far side on Cam Talbot.

Just like Saturday, they had so many chances to win but didn’t. The overtime was largely controlled by the Blueshirts with St. Louis and Rick Nash all over the ice. In fact, they thought they had the winner when St. Louis send in Nash on a break only to see his shot which had Brian Elliott beaten ring off the goalpost before being covered up by the St. Louis starter. So many close calls. Earlier in the contest, they had Elliott down and out but Kevin Hayes and Chris Kreider couldn’t score through a maze of Blues who prevented the puck from going in.

Truth be told, it was another strong effort from a shorthanded team without six regulars including Mats Zuccarello. An actual power play goal was scored on home ice for the first time. Kreider deflected home his third from Matt Hunwick and Anthony Duclair to give the Rangers a 1-0 lead in the first period. Ryan Malone was also in front screening Elliott. In for Zuccarello, he played on the fourth line.

If not for Elliott, it easily could’ve been 2 or 3-0. The Rangers completely outplayed the Blues outshooting them 15-4 and outchancing them. In a period where Dylan McIlrath had seven penalty minutes including an entertaining scrap against Ryan Reaves, the Blues invited trouble by taking undisciplined penalties. They practically dared the Blueshirts to blow it open. But a lack of finish along with strong netminding from Elliott prevented it.

The second was a role reversal with St. Louis imposing their will. Using a ferocious forecheck due to their size and strength, they forced Cam Talbot to come up big. Most of the period, the popular Rangers backup was up to the challenge making several big saves. He did everything possible to win this one. None of the three goals he allowed were his fault. In only his second start, Talbot came to play. Unfortunately, there was nothing he could do on Vladimir Tarasenko’s tying power play goal. With Hunwick off for interference, Tarasenko took a Kevin Shattenkirk feed and flew up ice blowing past McIlrath and pulling a Forsberg tuck for his seventh.

On that one, McIlrath and partner Conor Allen got a lesson from a very talented skill player who is on the verge of stardom. He also left Tanner Glass in the dust. That’s what happens when you are down four starting D with one of your top four in the box. Alain Vigneault played them and their costly mistake resulted in Tarasenko tying it up. Depending on how long Kevin Klein is out, McIlrath and Allen will learn on the job. Unless Glen Sather makes a deal with John Moore still serving a suspension.

St. Louis surged ahead thanks to a fortunate bounce. Patrik Berglund had a Barret Jackman shot double deflect off him past a helpless Talbot at 3:50 of the third. Instead of letting it get to them, a determined Blueshirts dominated the next few shifts. After coming close, persistence paid off when on a great shift, Carl Hagelin set up an open St. Louis for a sweet finish in front. It was his first goal in five. Ironically, he told Al Trautwig that you do press when they don’t go in. In a twist of fate, Joe Micheletti called his goal before it happened. Full credit.

The third was so wild and crazy that it was impossible to predict. Each team took chances going for it. It was the kind of entertaining game that didn’t require a shootout. One that kept you on your toes. I only wish I could’ve been there with Dad, Justin and his friend Mike. Following a strong St. Louis cycle, Derick Brassard cleared the zone and passed for Nash at the St. Louis blueline. He quickly centered a beautiful backhand across for a cutting St. Louis for another sweet finish. The way he played, it deserved to be the winner. I had called him out along with Kreider. Both played incredible. Kreider easily could’ve had a hat trick. If only he had buried some other chances.

In what can best be described as a crushing sequence, the Rangers failed to score at one end and then got burned at the other. Tarasenko again started it and this time it came against Hunwick and Dan Girardi. He and Jori Lehtera combined to set up a wide open Bouwmeester for a rocket off the far post that tied it 1:16 later. Despite some unbelievable chances at both ends, Elliott and Talbot kept it even entering OT.

During the 4-on-4, the Rangers had every opportunity to win. Still on a power play due to a Shattenkirk slash at 19:23, they just couldn’t beat Elliott. Like Ondrej Pavelec, he shut the door. Despite holding a 6-2 shots edge, they went to a shootout. Stop if you’ve heard this before from resident Devil blogger Hasan. Skill competitions can make or break you. Even this early, getting extra points is valuable. The Rangers are in trouble if they need to rely on it to get wins.

Similar to Saturday, Lee Stempniak put them up with a slick backhand tuck five-hole on Elliott in Round 2. But Talbot blew Steen’s wrist shot which clearly frustrated him. After Elliott stoned Nash, that super skilled guy Tarasenko blew one past a helpless Talbot sending the Blues to the win.

Right now, it’s going to be tough. The Rangers have Detroit Wednesday. Even if Derek Stepan returns, they still have to figure it out. Every regulation/overtime win they get now is huge. At 5-4-2, they are facing their first crisis. Sure. They got a point. But the first tiebreaker is ROW. The division is by no means getting away. Outside of Pittsburgh, no one’s stepped up. But the Devils are finding ways to win. The Rangers need to or they’re digging themselves a hole that will be hard to get out of.

NY Puck 3 Stars:

3rd Star-Brian Elliott, STL (36 saves incl. 14/15 in big 1st)

2nd Star-Marty St. Louis, NYR  (2 goals-2nd, 3rd, 4 SOG, +2 in 21:52-by far his best)

1st Star-Vladimir Tarasenko, STL (highlight reel goal-7th, assist and shootout winner)