The Rangers knew this was going to be a big-time test, and knew that their recent revival was either going to be validated or undercut by how they hung with the defending Stanley Cup champion Blackhawks.
And the Blueshirts might have some pride for their performance, but it buried under disappointment following a 5-3 loss on Wednesday night at the Garden. Despite coming back from a 2-0 second-period deficit, the Rangers held a 3-2 lead early in the third period only to see it slip away via a hat trick from super-talented rookie Artemi Panarin.