3 least impressive New York Rangers players from 3-0 shutout loss to Carolina Hurricanes ft. Alexis Lafreniere

The New York Rangers failed to notch their first home win of the season on Tuesday night. The Blueshirts’ home record is now a miserable 0-6-1, with the loss snapping the club’s three-game winning streak.

Nikolaj Ehlers got his first goal as a Carolina Hurricane, with Sean Walker and Seth Jarvis (EN) adding the other tallies for the Canes. Meanwhile, Pyotr Kochetkov made 25 saves for the clean sheet in his first game of the season.

Igor Shesterkin made 29 saves in the losing effort for the New York Rangers.

With that in mind, here’s a look at the three least impressive New York Rangers players from their blanking at the hands of the Carolina Hurricanes on Tuesday night.

3 least impressive New York Rangers players from shutout loss to Carolina Hurricanes

#3 Mika Zibanejad

The New York Rangers forward had a tough game on Tuesday night against the Hurricanes. He skated for over 21 minutes across 24 shifts. However, he only managed two shots on goal, while showing some less-than-impressive defensive play.

One such play came on Ehlers’ power play goal.

Here’s the replay as shown on the Hurricanes’ official X site:

Zibanejad lost the draw, then failed to get back into the play. That situation allowed the Hurricanes to move the puck. Zibanejad was far too slow to stop Ehlers from rifling the puck past Shesterkin for the goal.

The tally proved to be the game-winner.

#2 Matthew Robertson

The New York Rangers' young blueliner didn’t have his best game to date. In over 14 minutes of ice time across 16 shifts, the Blueshirts defenseman failed to make a significant difference on the ice.

It was his role in the Hurricanes’ second goal that put the game out of reach for the Rangers. Here’s a look at the play:

The point shot got through traffic, with Robertson tangled with a Hurricanes forward in the crease. Robertson fell, while bumping into Shesterkin as the shot came from the point. The interference Robertson caused on his own goalie prevented the save from being made, and the puck hit the back of the net.

#1 Alexis Lafreniere

Alexis Lafreniere continues to be a ghost for the New York Rangers. He hit the ice for a season-low 14:53 across 18 shifts. He managed two shots on goal, but could not generate any offense.

The former first-overall pick now has one goal in 14 games this season. Moreover, his three-game point streak came to an end.

Lafreniere’s concerning performance has seen him continue to slide down the depth chart. He’ll be looking to get back on track on Friday night as the New York Rangers take on the Detroit Red Wings at the Little Caesars Arena.