Leaf Hero: Leo Komarov celebrates his game-winner with teammate Mike Santorelli.
The Canadian Press/Photo by Fred Gunn

There’s no other way to slice it. This was a brutal loss. After digging out of a 3-1 hole to take the lead, the Rangers fell apart in a frustrating 5-4 defeat to the Maple Leafs at Air Canada Centre. They got sucked into a track meet against the wrong opponent. Toronto took advantage of poor defensive coverage and bad turnovers improving to 2-0 in the season series.

At least it was competitive. From a Ranger standpoint, they wasted an opportunity for two points. Following Rick Nash’s team-leading 11th goal that put them ahead 4:23 into the third period, they came unglued. The Leafs scored the final two. Roman Polak and Leo Komarov did them in. From there, Jonathan Bernier (31 saves) held them off despite a leaky defense ready to be taken. Toronto’s D was so egregious that the Rangers easily could’ve gotten 8. Especially in a lopsided second that saw them dominate play.

They got what they deserved. A lack of killer instinct combined with undisciplined play came back to haunt them. Alain Vigneault rolled all four lines and three defensive pairs. Unfortunately, it had mixed results. Too often, Cam Talbot was hung out to dry. Forwards didn’t come back hard enough. The most glaring example was seeing the third line of Carl Hagelin, Dominic Moore and Lee Stempniak fly the zone on Komarov’s game-winner with 5:34 remaining. For the most part, Matt Hunwick has been brilliant. But it wasn’t his night. He struggled mightily. It was his turnover that led to Jake Gardiner setting up Komarov.

It happens. Hunwick has really stepped up in the absence of Ryan McDonagh. Vigneault trusts him enough to play him key minutes. Tonight, he got 33 shifts logging 21:45. Unfortunately, he screwed up. The real problem was only Dan Girardi was back and he predictably went down instead of standing up. That allowed Gardiner to thread the needle for an easy Komarov finish. The laziness of Hagelin, Moore and Stempniak can’t happen. These are three defensively responsible players who know better. That it was the third line didn’t inspire much. At least some hustle resulted in Moore setting up Hagelin’s tying goal at 17:44 of the second.

For better or worse, Vigneault is going with that experienced trio to play key minutes. That means chipping in the occasional goal and being defensively responsible. He doesn’t fully trust Anthony Duclair or Kevin Hayes, who got a regular shift with Tanner Glass on a weird fourth line. When they fell behind, Vigneault shortened his bench.

Where I differ with the coach is on the insistence of having the third tandem of Conor Allen and Mike Kostka on to protect a lead. That deadly combo got victimized on Polak’s seeing eye shot that looked like it deflected off Nazem Kadri in front. Kostka is no great shakes defensively and Allen had a bad game taking an ill advised penalty that lead to a Phil Kessel power play goal and finished minus-two. I get that they play tomorrow against Edmonton. But there comes a time where you have to ride your horses. You’re telling me Girardi and Marc Staal couldn’t handle a couple of more shifts? Judging by the score sheet, they didn’t play a ton in a winnable game.

I also don’t get why Chris Kreider wasn’t out for the final shift. Though it was pointed out that he was on prior, you’re telling me Vigneault couldn’t get him out for at least the final 26 seconds. Reunited with Derek Stepan, he played his best game scoring his fourth goal and assisting on linemate Mats Zuccarello’s second that started the comeback. Not only was Kreider noticeable but he played with purpose taking the body and was strong on the puck. He received 24 shifts (17:26)- six seconds more than Stepan, who Vigneault curiously had take the faceoff in the Toronto zone following a timeout. Winning draws isn’t one of Stepan’s strengths. Predictably, Tyler Bozak beat him clean and the Leafs cleared the puck out. Stepan lost 13 of 19 faceoffs. Brassard also had a bad night losing 14-of-22 but would’ve been a better choice.

In a frustrating loss, these things add up. Toss in the fact that the Rangers had a streak of 69 consecutive wins when they scored four-or-more. That was snapped. Without McDonagh, it isn’t as easy to protect leads. That’s why Vigneault should’ve done everything possible to get the two points. Instead, it makes tomorrow’s game against the Oilers a must win. No ifs and’s or buts. The Pens visit Tuesday. That could be ugly if they don’t clean it up.

Zuke ‘N Step: Goalscorer Mats Zuccarello is mobbed by Derek Stepan.
The Canadian Press/Fred Gunn

Even in a game where the offense showed improvement with Stepan forming solid chemistry with Kreider and Zuccarello, they were sloppy. That included consecutive penalties on Allen and Hagelin for a 5-on-3 power play goal allowed. It also featured a brutal sequence by Zuccarello, who after throwing the puck away took himself out of the play while Hunwick watched Peter Holland score shorthanded on Talbot. There also was another brutal mistake on household name Richard Panik’s goal that increased Toronto’s lead to 3-1 with 1:01 left in the first.

It was ugly. The Rangers committed too many mistakes and paid dearly. It doesn’t matter who’s in net. Even if Talbot again didn’t come up with the big save, they just can’t get away with that. There’s no margin for error. Plain and simple. They blew it.

NY Puck 3 Stars:

3rd Star-Leo Komarov, Leafs (GWG at 14:26-1st of season, assist, 8 hits, +2, 6-and-0 on draws-all over ice)

2nd Star-Nazem Kadri, Leafs (2 assists, 3 SOG, screened Talbot on tying goal, 13-for-19 on faceoffs)

1st Star-Chris Kreider, NYR (4th of season, assist-4 points in last 3, +1)