Trocheck: Rangers loss to undermanned Pens 'inexcusable'

New York Rangers forward Vincent Trocheck wasn't impressed by his team's performance Friday night against a Pittsburgh Penguins club that was without Sidney Crosby and Evgeni Malkin.

"There's no excuse, even if there was a why," Trocheck said. "We can't have that. Inexcusable. We know where we're at in the standings, we know we need every point. With two games left before break, we can't have what just happened."

Friday's game was the first leg of New York's back-to-back before the league shuts down for the 4 Nations Face-Off. After their latest loss, the Rangers sit five points back of a wild-card spot with three teams ahead of them.

New York held two separate one-goal leads in the contest, but the Rangers gave up two tallies in under three minutes in the second period to give Pittsburgh the lead. The Penguins held on for the victory without recording a shot in the final frame.

"I don't think we worked tonight," Trocheck said. "We weren't ready for the first, arguably, 40 (minutes). Outplayed them in the third by a lot. Had tons of opportunities, but you can't wait."

He added: "Can't lose 40 minutes and expect to win a game."

Trocheck had a goal and an assist in the game. He's tied for third on the Rangers with 35 points this season.