Buffalo wakeup call should demand Rangers’ attention before things spiral further

The sun came up on the Rangers on Friday, for the world did not end with their 6-1 loss to the Sabres at the Garden the previous night. But it was not quite business as had become usual when the club reconvened at the World’s Most Famous Training Facility. 

“There was not a crazy difference in practice when we worked on things missing from our game, but the meeting was not the same,” Artemi Panarin told The Post. “Usually after the wins, it is mostly positive, but today, it was zero positive, which makes sense. 

“I think it’s a good opportunity to be reminded about the small things that starts with the battles. Everyone has to win the battle. You can have a loss, but not like that. We had zero chance, and we didn’t even try to, so that’s a sad thing.” 

The Rangers have been lacking structure most of the season. The 8-3-1 record they take into Saturday’s match against the Red Wings is not an optical illusion, for the ability to win games is a skill. But the Blueshirts have essentially been winning on spectacular goaltending and muscle memory. 

That is not a formula for sustained success. If the Rangers were fooling themselves, Thursday night was no joke. It was a pile-up that demands attention. 

“I do think that everyone has bad games. The difference is how you react. Do you fix it, or do you keep going with a smile?” said Panarin, as much of a passenger against Buffalo as any of his teammates. “I mean, you have to stay positive, for sure, but you have to go back to being disciplined, as well.