SUNRISE, Fla. - The Rangers wanted their Wednesday win against the Lightning, as impressive a performance as they've had in roughly a month, to be the beginning of a shift in momentum, a springboard for a turnaround in their season entering the new year.
That positive energy the Rangers created during that victory dissipated Saturday night. A red-hot Panthers team took advantage of critical mistakes while the Rangers had no answers for Roberto Luongo, who made 39 saves to hand them a 3-0 loss at the BB&T Center before a crowd of 20,289.
It doesn't get any easier for the Rangers (21-14-4, 46 points,) who were shut out for the third time this season.