Rangers Face 4-0 Shutout Loss Against Devils, Playoff Hopes Dwindle

The New York Rangers suffered a disappointing 4-0 loss to the New Jersey Devils, largely due to their ongoing struggles with special teams. The Devils capitalized on a power-play goal from Timo Meier and a shorthanded goal by Jesper Bratt in quick succession during the second period, solidifying their lead. The Rangers finished 0-for-2 on the power play, extending their dismal performance to just two successful conversions in their last 43 attempts. This defeat has compounded the Rangers' playoff woes, as they remain outside the Eastern Conference wild-card cutoff, trailing the Montreal Canadiens. Despite outshooting the Devils 26-16, the Rangers' inability to convert on opportunities and stop shorthanded goals has proven costly. Coach Peter Laviolette acknowledged that the team's pressing for offense might be leading to defensive lapses, further complicating their season.