Rangers’ inconsistency pops up again in loss to Penguins

This is why the Rangers are such a tease. This is why they could be seventh in the NHL in goals scored per game and 12th in goals against per game, yet be 18th in the overall standings and on the outside looking in on the playoffs.

They are just not consistent enough. They are unable to put success into context. They are unable to adapt against an opponent that eliminates their skill game and forces them into a battle of tight spaces and paint-by-the numbers hockey. Two nights after hilarity ensued in a victory over the injury-wracked Penguins, there was little but sorrow following the Rangers’ 5-2 loss to the same (but much different) Pittsburgh squad that was not going to allow its opponent to freewheel.