After carving out an incredible run to make their postseason dream seem a near reality, the New York Rangers were dealt a harsh reality check over the weekend.
After losing Chris Kreider to a fractured foot, days after he signed a new seven-year, $45,500,000 contract, the Blueshirts lost both games of a home-and-home double-header to the Philadelphia Flyers.
While the first game on Friday was much closer than the final scoreline suggested, the second contest at Madison Square Garden on Sunday was ugly.
Henrik Lundqvist, making his first start in almost a month, looked rusty as he was left out to dry early and often, resulting in another body blow to the Rangers’ playoff hopes.