The New York Rangers reached a new low Monday, falling 2-1 to the lowly Chicago Blackhawks on home ice, and it's safe to say head coach Peter Laviolette was not pleased with the result.
"The execution was off all night. Could be fatigue, could be mental, could be anything. Regardless, it's unacceptable," Laviolette said postgame, per The New York Post's Mollie Walker. "We've got to be better than that. You're not going to win hockey games if you can't execute."
The reigning Presidents' Trophy winners have picked up just two wins in their last 10 games and are 2-6-0 since it was reported that general manager Chris Drury sent a memo to the league's 31 other teams stating they're open for business. Veteran winger Chris Kreider and captain Jacob Trouba were reportedly cited as trade options in the memo, and Trouba was ultimately dealt to the Anaheim Ducks on Friday.
New York struggled to generate much of anything against Chicago, which entered the evening sitting last in the NHL. The Rangers controlled just 37.2% of the expected goals at five-on-five, per Natural Stat Trick. They got worse as the game went on, losing the high-danger scoring chance battle 12-2 in the second and third periods, and were booed off the ice.
"It's frustrating. I get it. Deservedly so," Laviolette said. "When your pace should be at a higher level and your execution should be at a higher level, I get it. It's frustration."
The Rangers' next chance to get back on track is Wednesday on the road against the Buffalo Sabres.
The Blackhawks, meanwhile, are celebrating their first victory under interim coach Anders Sorensen.