Struggling Rangers have 'no other option' than to keep working - ESPN

WASHINGTON — How the New York Rangers stay positive as the losses pile up is «the million-dollar question» to $8.5 million center Mika Zibanejad.

«What's our option?» Zibanejad said after the Washington Capitals beat the Rangers 7-4 on Saturday. «What's our option? Just say, 'We're done with the season?' No, we can't.»

There are far more questions than answers now that the Rangers' struggles have dragged on for far longer than a month. They've lost 16 of their past 21 games to go from solidly in a playoff position in mid-November to tied with the Islanders for last place in the Metropolitan Division.

«You cannot drag yourself down just because you lose a game,» said Filip Chytil, who along with Zibanejad scored in the third period against the Capitals. «At some point, it must turn around because last year we won the Presidents' Trophy, and we can play hockey. We know that.… So, it must turn at some point, but we don't know when.»

Time is running out.

General manager Chris Drury has already made two moves in an attempt to get his should-be contender out of this tailspin. He traded captain Jacob Trouba to Anaheim on Dec. 6, after the veteran defenseman said he accepted the move following the threat of going on waivers, and sent winger Kaapo Kakko to Seattle on Dec. 18 to end the 2019 No. 2 pick's tumultuous tenure with the organization.

Even if the coaching of Peter Laviolette is not to blame for top players from Zibanejad to Artemi Panarin and Adam Fox underperforming, his job might still be in jeopardy, given that it's one of the few logical buttons left to push. He said starting well and then breaking down defensively at Washington was a frustrating turn of events.

«It's a little bit of everything,» Laviolette said.