Before last night’s game, the Rangers held a pregame ceremony that honored fan favorites in their 100-year history. Among the notables included Nick Fotiu, Don Maloney, Jan Erixon, George McPhee, Pierre Larouche, Tony Granato, Chris Nilan, Tie Domi, Darren Langdon, Jeff Beukeboom, Colton Orr, Brandon Prust, Sean Avery, Ryan Callahan, Adam Graves, and Henrik Lundqvist. They all received a warm welcome with the loudest ovation reserved for Lundqvist.

When it comes to recognizing their illustrious past, the Rangers have done a phenomenal job in their centennial season. Unfortunately, the current roster has disrespected the alumni by continuing to lose in bad fashion on such nights. In the latest embarrassment on home ice, they fell to the Sabres 5-2, dropping to a dismal 5-11-4 at MSG.

It’s inexplicable how poorly they’ve played in front of passionate fans who tried to get behind them during a strong third period. Despite outshooting the Sabres 14-3, they managed to get outscored 2-1 in a mind-numbing loss that summed up their season. Outskated by a faster opponent that built a 3-1 lead through two periods, the Rangers had the momentum when Vincent Trocheck had his shot beat Colten Ellis from a bad angle to cut the deficit to one just 51 seconds into the third.

From that point, they continued to attack the Sabres, who were more vulnerable in their end. The relentless forecheck from every line including a very noticeable Matt Rempe (game-high six hits) got the crowd into it with “Let’s Go Rangers” chants. But after he gave up a soft goal to Trocheck, Ellis steadied in net for the Sabres by making 13 saves in a busy third.

If there was a play that really typified what’s gone wrong in the centennial anniversary, it happened with over five minutes remaining in the game. Upset all night due to Braden Schneider catching him with a clean hit that bloodied his nose, Peyton Krebs took an undisciplined double minor for high-sticking Trocheck, who got underneath his skin. That put the Rangers on a four-minute power play with a good chance to tie it.

Instead, disaster struck when a bad turnover from Alexis Lafreniere inside the blue line led directly to Mattias Samuelsson scoring a crushing shorthanded goal to give the Sabres the cushion they needed with 5:22 left in regulation. It was such a poor decision from Lafreniere that he heard boos when head coach Mike Sullivan put him back out for his next shift. It was well-deserved for a career underachiever who’s never lived up to the hype that made him the number one pick in 2020.

What made it worse was that after he forced a pass that had no chance of reaching Vladislav Gavrikov, Lafreniere coasted instead of hustling back. For a player who once was considered a future star by both the media and scouts, it was pretty damming. More often than not, he doesn’t seem to have a high hockey IQ and looks checked out half the time.

Ever since team president and general manager Chris Drury signed him to that seven-year contract extension with a $7.45 million cap hit on Oct. 25, 2024, Lafreniere hasn’t come close to earning it. The 2023-24 breakout season in which he put up 28 goals and 29 assists for a career-high 57 points feels like so long ago, which can also be echoed for the eight goals and 14 points he had that postseason. There’s zero fire and no intensity.

It’s astonishing how bad he’s been since Drury gave him the big contract. After starting last season with seven points (4-3-7) in his first seven games between Oct. 9-24, the 24-year-old has had a significant drop-off in production. It didn’t start until late November. He was still scoring and setting up goals with 16 points (8-8-16) in 19 games. Following that, he only had 29 (9-20-29) over the remaining 63 games. Counting the inconsistency this season, Lafreniere has managed just 18 goals and 35 assists for 53 points in his last 108 games.

When it comes to his contract, Lafreniere doesn’t have any trade restrictions until July 2027. There’s nothing stopping Drury from exploring the market to see what’s available. At this point, it would probably have to be an equally disappointing player with a similar deal.

Unless there’s a team with cap space that thinks they can fix him. He looks like a disinterested player who can use a change of scenery. Even in a top six role along with increased power play time, he doesn’t seem like a player they should keep. Unless things turn around dramatically, his time on Broadway could be coming to an end.

Lafreniere’s inconsistent play isn’t the only issue with the Rangers, who fell to 1-6 when wearing their centennial jerseys. It’s no secret that they’re an aging team built around Artemi Panarin, who continued to produce by setting up both goals including a Mika Zibanejad one-timer that made it 2-1 in the second period. Zibanejad has been on fire lately with eight points in the last three games, highlighted by his Winter Classic hat trick and two assists on Jan. 2.

With two helpers on Thursday, Panarin reached a milestone with his 600th career assist. For the seventh consecutive season, he seems destined to lead the Blueshirts in scoring with his 48 points pacing them. Zibanejad is second with 38 points. Unless he agrees to waive his no-movement clause before the March 6 trade deadline, Panarin could play out the final year of his contract. As the Olympic break draws nearer, the Rangers should have a better idea of what their plans might be moving forward.

In his first start since the injury to Igor Shesterkin (lower leg), Jonathan Quick didn’t play well enough to win. He allowed four goals on 20 shots. At least two were ones he could’ve had, including Samuelsson’s shorthanded goal that went short side, catching him leaning. He also was unlucky on the Sabres’ third goal scored by Jason Zucker when a Rasmus Dahlin shot went off Quick and Zucker’s shoulder to make it 3-1.

Even though they were limited to 19 shots before the empty netter from Ryan McLeod, the Sabres created several dangerous opportunities in the slot. The Rangers were guilty of backing in, which exposed the middle of the ice. That was evident on a goal Alex Tuch scored that put the Sabres up 2-0 in the second. Both Schneider and Gavrikov backed in while no forwards were in the vicinity on Tuch’s wrist shot that went top shelf.

If there was a plus, the Rangers played more physical by taking the body whenever they could. They outhit the Sabres 32-26. Some of the havoc caused by Rempe created some looks for Sam Carrick. But as has been the case through this point of another season headed nowhere, he didn’t bury his chances. The lack of secondary scoring continues to plague them.

They played without Noah Laba for the second straight game. A positive development is that he could be nearing a return after taking line rushes at Friday’s morning skate. The Rangers will visit Boston on Saturday afternoon.

Considering how bad they are, it’s hard not to wonder what the conversation was between former players who watched another ugly display after being introduced by legendary MSG television voice Sam Rosen. To be a fly on the wall to hear what Avery or Callahan thought. Gritty players who actually bled for the jersey.

We know that Fotiu, McPhee, Nilan (Knuckles), Domi, Langdon, Orr, and Prust all weren’t shy about throwing ’em. Beukeboom was as tough as they come on the blue line. When Graves wasn’t riding shotgun for Mark Messier, “Beuke” was doing it for Brian Leetch or any teammate. That was their mentality.

Gone are the days when players had each others backs. To be perfectly blunt, today’s roster remains far too soft. There’s too many players okay with Shesterkin or Quick being run. There was no response to the Brandon Hagel hit that caused Adam Fox to miss 14 games. Even if it was clean, there should’ve been something. The Rangers don’t see the Lightning again until April when they’ll be eliminated.

If you don’t believe it, then you’re as blind a bat. There isn’t enough character, heart, or resiliency. The only player willing to answer the bell is Carrick, who even went with undisputed heavyweight champion Mathieu Oliver in Columbus. Rempe can’t due to his thumb recovering from surgery.

Through 45 games, the Rangers have 46 points and only 13 regulation wins. The sad aspect is that even with all the teams in front of them winning last night, they’re still a few points back. Even with Miller picking up an assist in his return, there wasn’t enough from a vanilla group. If they gave more of an honest effort like the inspired third period, maybe I’d give them more of a chance.

Does anyone feel optimistic about their chances against the Bruins, who haven’t been playing well? Gabe Perreault remains on the third line and looks like he’ll be sent down. It’s probably the right thing to do for his development.

Scott Morrow returned yesterday. He had a shot hit the goalpost late with the Rangers trailing by two. Sullivan has changed the defensive pairs for tomorrow by having Carson Soucy with Morrow. Will Borgen and Matthew Robertson will work together on the second pair.

There isn’t much to look forward to. At least it’s wildcard weekend.