The 2018-19 New York Rangers suffer from a lack of talent. When they play a team like Columbus they can compete, but eventually the team with more ability takes over. That’s what happened Sunday.
Somehow, the teams were tied at the end of the first period. Somehow New York trailed by only one goal near the end of the second period. This despite being outshot 30-16. This despite taking five penalties in the first 30 minutes of the game. This despite losing 33 of 44 faceoffs.
Then, with two seconds left in the second period, Nick Foligno deflected a shot past Alexandar Georgiev for a 5-3 lead and suddenly the game was out of reach.