Stepan: 'I've stunk since the playoffs started'
After ranking fourth league-wide in goals this season, the high-flying New York Rangers offense has been stifled in the playoffs.
The Blueshirts were first tested by Carey Price, and though they dispatched him and the Montreal Canadiens in six games, their sputtering goal-scorers aren't about to catch any breaks against the Ottawa Senators.
Victimized by Ottawa's pesky 1-3-1 format, the Rangers managed just one tally in the series opener Thursday night, and forward Derek Stepan believes he deserves some criticism for his team's general lack of postseason production.
"I've stunk since the playoffs started," Stepan told NHL.com's Dan Rosen.
Stepan added, "I'm all over the map. It stinks. It's not fun not playing well. You want to be a part of it. You want to help. But like I said, I just have not been good."
Through seven games, Stepan's recorded two points, which is still more than big-name forwards Chris Kreider, Kevin Hayes, and J.T. Miller.
New York is generating just 2.14 goals per game in the playoffs - the worst mark of any team that's advanced.
The Rangers will try to snap their offensive slide and even the series on Saturday afternoon at the Canadian Tire Centre.