from Larry Brooks of the New York Post,

We can pick at the line combinations, at the head coach’s allotment of ice time, at the regression of most of the kids who have been unable to use last year’s playoffs as a springboard to success, at the team’s lack of resilience.

We can and we have. More than once.

But that’s kind of like being unable to see the forest for the trees.

The primary reason the Rangers have not been able to replicate their performance from a year ago is that, 23 games into the season, last year’s Vezina winner would not get a single vote for the trophy if the balloting were conducted today.

Igor Shesterkin knows it and Igor Shesterkin is wearing it after surrendering another four goals in Monday’s depressing, but not unexpected 5-3 empty-net abetted defeat to the Devils at the Garden that left the Blueshirts a staggering 14 points behind New Jersey.

“The goalie played a s–t game again,” Shesterkin said without a translator after surrendering at least a couple of wonky ones in a game the Blueshirts actually led 2-0 after 3:01 of play. “I’m ashamed.”

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