On Tuesday night, the New York Rangers had a forgettable game when they visited the Ottawa Senators on Dec. 5. They fell victim to the Brady Tkachuk led Senators in an ugly 6-2 loss up north – ending a three-game winning streak.

Playing for the third time over four days, the Rangers weren’t sharp throughout the contest. They frequently turned over pucks that led to the Senators using their skill and speed to get in transition. While Ottawa entered the match in last place in the Atlantic Division, it was only their 20th game of the season. Fewer than anyone else in the league.

Slow Starts Becoming an Issue

In come from behind wins against the Nashville Predators on Dec. 2 and the San Jose Sharks on Dec. 3, the Rangers fell behind early. The slow starts are becoming an issue.

For the third consecutive game, they gave up the game’s first goal. On some sustained pressure down low, Claude Giroux passed the puck up for an Artem Zub point shot that Tkachuk got in position to tip in to give the Senators a 1-0 lead at the 11-minute mark.

On the scoring play, the Rangers couldn’t get out of their zone. A turnover allowed Erik Brannstrom to push the puck behind the Rangers’ net for Tkachuk. He then moved it around for Giroux, who fed Zub for his shot that Tkachuk redirected past Igor Shesterkin for the game’s first goal.

Neither Braden Schneider nor Erik Gustafsson handled Tkachuk, who’s a load around the net. He continued to have success against the Rangers. He entered the game with five goals and eight assists for 13 points in the previous 12 games versus the Rangers. By night’s end, Tkachuk added two more goals, giving him seven goals and eight assists for 15 points in his 13th career game against the Blueshirts.

Later in the first period, it was a physical battle between Tkachuk and Rangers’ captain Jacob Trouba that resulted in the Senators’ second goal. After they played to a standoff behind the net, Tkachuk wisely kicked the puck loose to teammate Josh Norris. He then centered for a wide Jacob-Bernard Docker shot that took a carom off the back boards right to Giroux. He then slipped around and banked the puck in off Shesterkin for a 2-0 lead with 1:26 left.

They fell behind by two after one period for the second time in three games. It also happened against the Predators. They were able to mount a rally to prevail 4-3 on Dec. 2.

Panarin Scores on The Power Play

With just 16 seconds left in the first, Senators’ forward Dominik Kubalik took an undisciplined goaltender interference minor to hand the Rangers a power play that carried over to the second period.

With still 1:44 remaining on the five-on-four to start the period, Artemi Panarin stayed hot by scoring a power-play goal to cut the deficit to one early. Mika Zibanejad and Adam Fox combined to get the puck over for Panarin at the right point. Surveying the traffic in front created by both Vincent Trocheck and Chris Kreider, Panarin wisely took a wrist shot that Senators’ goalie Anton Forsberg never saw. It whizzed by him to give Panarin his fourth goal over the last two games.

That gave Panarin his team-leading 16th goal of the season. Continuing to be more aggressive with his shot, he’s on pace for a new career high. The most goals he ever scored was 32 in the Covid interrupted 2019-20 season. His first as a Ranger saw him total 95 points in 69 games. Panarin finished the second runner-up for the Hart Trophy.

In the Rangers’ first 24 games, Panarin leads them in goals (16), assists (21), and points (37). His 12 even strength goals and 96 shots-on-goal also pace the team. It could be another special season for Panarin.

Tarasenko Burns Former Team

Entering play, former Ranger Vladimir Tarasenko had been ice cold in the goal department. He had gone 13 straight games without lighting the lamp. Maybe seeing his former teammates was the elixir he needed to snap that goal drought. Tarasenko burned his former team with a big goal that put the Senators back in front by two in the second period.

On a sloppy turnover by Gustafsson in the neutral zone, Tim Stutzle and Drake Batherson quickly transitioned the puck up for Tarasenko. He gained the Rangers’ zone and blew a wrist shot past Shesterkin’s glove for his first goal in 14 games. That made it 3-1 at 5:13.

Miller Replies Back

Lately, K’Andre Miller has found his offense. He’s been scoring recently to help the Rangers win games. Following the Tarasenko goal that put the Senators up by two, he followed up an Alexis Lafreniere rebound to put home his third goal over the last four games. Miller’s quick reply back came only 22 seconds later to pull the Rangers within one.

However, that goal would be the last of the game for the Rangers. Ultimately, they were done in by poor puck management and lackluster defense that resembled last season. That was the story of the game.

Uncharacteristic Play Leads to Rangers’ Demise

For too much of Tuesday night’s game, the Rangers were their own worst enemy. While they certainly created a lot more opportunities in a wide open second period that saw the teams combine for five goals and 31 shots, they got into the wrong kind of style with the Senators, who boast plenty of talent. The firewagon hockey favored the Ottawa hosts.

Uncharacteristic play led to the Rangers’ demise. There were moments when the Senators came with plenty of speed to make life tough on Shesterkin, who didn’t get much help from his teammates. On the flip side, the Rangers certainly had their chances. However, Forsberg was strong, making some clutch saves en route to 33. He also had help from defenseman Jakob Chychrun, who made a diving save to rob Will Cuylle of a goal.

When the Senators weren’t bailing out Forsberg, they were taking advantage of Rangers’ mistakes to pull away. On a forecheck behind the Ottawa net, Panarin forced a backhand pass to a vacated point that led directly to a Senators goal.

Ryan Lindgren got caught, allowing Tarasenko to come two-on-one with Batherson. Tarasenko wisely shot low for a rebound off Shesterkin right to a hustling Batherson, who beat Trocheck for the fourth Senators’ goal, which restored a two-goal lead.

With over two minutes left in the second, a fluky play led to Tkachuk getting his second of the game. Brannstrom made a pass to Zub at the right point. He broke his stick on the shot, which took a funny carom right to Tkachuk for an easy finish that put the Senators up 5-2.

Sloppy Power Play Sums it Up

Trailing by three in the third period, Rangers coach Peter Laviolette wasn’t giving up. He didn’t replace Shesterkin with Jonathan Quick, who’s been nothing but brilliant so far. He still felt they could come back against an opponent not known for their defense or discipline. The latter could’ve swung the momentum in the Rangers’ direction.

Following Panarin drawing a high-sticking minor on Norris, Stutzle took down Trocheck 35 seconds later to give the Rangers a five-on-three for 1:25. With Laviolette opting to stick with his top unit, a sloppy power play summed it up.

Rather than move the puck quickly and take shots, they reverted to 2022-23. It was abominable. The lack of killer instinct should’ve resulted in Laviolette benching that top unit in favor of the second unit. He never considered sending them out. Lafreniere was their most effective player. He was robbed a couple of times by Forsberg, and his rebound led to Miller’s goal. It didn’t make sense.

The only shot the Rangers could muster was a weak Fox wrist shot that missed Kreider for an easy glove save by Forsberg. Zibanejad had a one-timer miss wide on the short side. That was it.

It was a poor display by one of the league’s best power plays. They over passed the puck and made it easy on the Senators.

Gustafsson Sticks Up for Schneider

A tough hit by Kubalik caught Schneider from the side and knocked him down. Not particularly pleased with the hit, Gustafsson stuck up for Schneider by going after Kubalik. He actually landed a few punches to get the decision.

Since he initiated the fight, Gustafsson received an extra two minutes for roughing. That handed the Senators a power play. They didn’t score on it, but Shesterkin had a bad giveaway that he could’ve been burned on. His frustration showed.

Tarasenko Ends It

With it clearly not their night, the Rangers still lifted Shesterkin for an extra attacker with over four minutes remaining. The old Patrick Roy rule didn’t pay dividends for Laviolette. Instead, Tarasenko ended it with an empty netter that came with 2:50 left to conclude the scoring. He was the game’s second star with two goals and an assist.

No Update on Goodrow

During the first period of the contest, Barclay Goodrow took a puck to his mouth that forced him to go to the locker room. He lost a tooth but didn’t return.

After the game, Laviolette provided no update on Goodrow. It was just the usual upper-body injury. Hopefully, he should be ready to go for the Rangers’ next game. If not, they’ll have to recall someone from Hartford. Considering that he’s a hockey player, I’d imagine Goodrow will not miss any action. Laviolette called him an important part of the team during his postgame interview.

Rangers Off Until Saturday

Following a busy part of the schedule, the Rangers finally have three days off until Saturday, Dec. 9 when they’ll visit the Washington Capitals. That’ll be followed by a second straight game at home on Dec. 10 against the overlooked Los Angeles Kings. The Toronto Maple Leafs will visit Madison Square Garden on Dec. 12.