Laviolette expects the team to respond well and seem to be hungry for a bounce back game as they prepare to face off against the Detroit Red Wings on Saturday night.
«My history with this group is that often times there's a pretty good response,» coach Peter Laviolette said Friday.
The Rangers have been a fairly consistent team over the past couple of seasons as we are not known to go on long losing streaks. Last season, they've only lost consecutive games six times and only had a four-game losing streak that happened between January 6th and January 13th.
This season the the Rangers have had a great start as their current record stands at 8-3-1 and have not lost any consecutive games thus far. There have been tendencies and patterns setting into their game over the last couple of weeks that have been unsettling. Either being badly outshot by the Washington Capitals and the Ottawa Senators to major defensive breakdowns during the Buffalo game.
Rangers forward Reilly Smith weighed in on what he felt the Rangers need to do and have this to say.
«I think if we play a fast, direct game, that's our best hockey,» forward Reilly Smith said. «We just have to get to that quickly in that game. Obviously the first goal is important.»
This game will be a great opportunity for the Rangers to turn things around as they have beaten the Red Wings twice already and by outscoring them 9-3. The game will take place on October 9th and puck drop will be at 7:00 PM eastern.