The Rangers are currently up on the Avalanche 3-1 in Denver. They might win for a second consecutive time but all is not well. Too many players continue to turn over the puck and not defend. At some point, the blatant giveaways that have led to dangerous chances the last two games have to stop.

It doesn’t matter if it’s Hank or Cam in net. For a while, this team hasn’t played smart hockey. They’ve been helter skelter. It’s nice to pile up the points when you don’t play your best. However, this style isn’t conducive. It’s risky. If it continues, they’ll be exposed again by the Islanders next week. Against better competition, they must tighten up.

The Rangers have fallen into bad work habits. That includes the struggling Martin St. Louis and disjointed Derek Stepan, who’s looked like a shadow of the player we saw since returning from the flu. That top unit has been out of sync with even Chris Kreider having a brutal giveaway in the Leafs game that led to a goal against. Updating the game, a careless St. Louis turnover results in Jarome Iginla scoring to cut it to 3-2 with 13:17 left in regulation.

This is how the team plays. In spurts allowing mediocre teams to stay in games. The coaching staff needs to reevaluate things. From the uneven play of the top pair to the continued search for a sixth defenseman, it has to stop.

Now Tanner Glass got a foolish penalty for unsportsmanlike conduct. He does nothing well. It’s past the point of keeping him in the lineup. The Rangers have been outshot 10-0. If they prevail, it’ll be pure luck.