The New York Rangers experienced a disappointing end to their road trip with a 3-2 loss against the Utah Mammoth on March 15, 2024. This defeat capped a week in which the Rangers failed to secure a single victory, losing all three of their away games. Following a narrow loss in Las Vegas and a more significant setback against the Colorado Avalanche, the team now finds itself below .500 for the season.
Head coach Mike Sullivan expressed his frustration after the game, noting a lack of energy and competitive spirit from his players. “I thought we got outplayed,” Sullivan remarked. The Rangers now hold a record of 10-11-2 overall, with a 9-4-1 mark on the road.
Despite the loss, the game in Salt Lake City showcased moments of promise for the Rangers. After falling behind early to a goal from J.J. Peterka at 10:08 in the first period, Vlad Gavrikov quickly equalized for New York by redirecting a shot from Adam Fox. “That gave us a little bit of a bounceback, a little momentum,” Gavrikov reflected. Unfortunately, the Rangers could not capitalize on this momentum.
The Rangers took a brief lead in the second period when Artemi Panarin scored at 8:07, bringing the score to 2-1. However, the momentum shifted as the Mammoth responded with a game-tying goal from Clayton Keller. The decisive moment came in the final period when Nick DeSimone netted the game-winner for Utah just 7:32 in.
Throughout the game, the Rangers struggled offensively, managing only ten shots on goal during the last two periods. This lack of offensive pressure proved costly, as they failed to secure a comeback after taking the lead.
The team now returns to New York for a crucial matchup against the St. Louis Blues at Madison Square Garden on Monday. Forward Will Cuylle emphasized the importance of quickly moving on from this defeat, stating, “You can’t be looking in the past. So, looking forward to the game on Monday and getting the win there.”
As the Rangers aim to regain their footing, the upcoming home game presents an opportunity to shake off the disappointment of the recent road trip and re-establish their status as a competitive force in the NHL.
