NEW YORK _ Dull? Check.
Disorganized? Check.
Distinctly non-competitive? Check.
The Rangers' 4-0 loss to the Maple Leafs at the Garden in their first match since Jan. 25 was far from the type of game that a team fighting for a playoff berth should roll out, especially at home. Nor was the sight of Henrik Lundqvist being pulled for his second consecutive start after surrendering four goals on 13 shots in 23:05 of the second period.
It looked more like a team carrying the weight of the trade rumor mill on their shoulders.
Sure, the Leafs sharpened up on Wednesday with a 5-0 rout of the Islanders and the Rangers, who had lost three of the last four games, were rusty after a week without lacing up for a game. But that is not a valid excuse.
The trouble for the Rangers, who wore their Winter Classic jerseys for their second shutout of the season, began early.
The Rangers couldn't hold onto pucks and connected on more passes to the quick, speedy Leafs than their own mates in the first period, and couldn't test backup goalie Curtis McElhinney despite two power plays. Toronto gave the Blueshirts no room short-handed or at even-strength.
At 8:42, Justin Holl's wrister from the right circle went thru Zach Hyman legs in front and past Lundqvist, who had been yanked in Anaheim after three goals on seven shots in 16:21. It was Holl's second goal in his first four periods in the NHL and the Leafs continued to skate circles around the home team.
Connor Brown's sweet lead pass to James Van Riemsdyk, who burst ahead of Mats Zuccarello driving to the crease, deked Lundqvist and finished on a backhand for a 2-0 edge at 15:23. The Rangers had just five shots on McElhinney after 20 minutes, none dangerous.
In the second, Brady Skjei blocked Patrick Marleau's shot, but Nazem Kadri retrieved it and got it to Marleau. With Kevin Hayes and Zuccarello looking on, he beat Lundqvist stickside at the 52-second mark.
At 3:05 of the second, the Leafs went up 4-0 when Hyman and Marleau worked a give-and-go and Hyman scored in front with Jesper Fast watching. Ondrej Pavelec, who was in the net for the 6-5 win in San Jose that ended the road trip, was summoned to relieve Lundqvist.
For the rest of the evening, as they did against the Isles, the Leafs were content to foil Ranger attacks, with just four shots in the second on Pavelec (18 saves in mop-up duty). Of course, the Rangers had just 11 shots through the first 34 minutes, and nary a high-danger chance.
Even when a frustrated J.T. Miller smashed his stick on the glass near the Rangers bench midway through the second period, causing a long break for repairs, the Rangers didn't regroup, drawing boos from the Garden faithful at the end of the second period.
To add injury to insult, the Rangers played without a 12th forward in the third. Pavel Buchnevich, who was hit high in a collision with by Jake Gardiner in mid-ice during the second period, did not return for the third period.
In the third, the Rangers fizzled on their third power play of the game, but did force McElhinney, who made 23 saves (check) to make some solid stops for the first time since the two national anthems.
Speaking of time, it's running out. With 31 games to play, the Rangers need an immediate wake-up call.
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