After six straight years out of the playoffs, they said and did all the right things in September: The players were drilled in a new defensive method. A new dress code reflected a new business-like approach. Just about every player promised a new attitude, a return to fundamental hockey values like accountability, structure, trust, discipline… the fashionable buzzwords tripped from their lips in solemn tones.
Then they posted what might be the most putrid opening weekend in franchise history.
For those who missed the carnage, the Rangers began the season with about 30 minutes of good hockey, building a two-goal lead against Minnesota, before giving it back in less than a minute and eventually losing 5-3. The Wild, as we know, are run on a budget that would barely cover the Rangers’ greens fees.
But such debacles happen. It’s how you respond that really counts, right?
Messier, Lindros and company responded with a 5-0 loss in Columbus.
"I haven't got the vocabulary,” Glen Sather replied when asked by reporters to assess the weekend.
Could it get any worse? Sure it could. While they were embarrassing themselves in Columbus, former Ranger Ronald Petrovicky, lost in last week’s waiver draft, scored two goals in Atlanta’s 4-3 win over Washington.
Meanwhile, in Anaheim, the Ducks are finding that it’s no fun being the hunted instead of the hunter. After three games, the Western Conference champs are pointless and have yet to score an even strength goal. The precise defense we all remember from the ’03 playoffs has disappeared – they gave up 17 shots in the first period against Phoenix on Sunday. And while goaltending hero Jean-Sebastian Giguere has not been terrible, the Ducks appear highly vulnerable when he is less than great.
As the Ducks search for their first point, Buffalo finished the weekend still looking for its first goal. The Sabres managed just 30 shots in their first two games. The only good news from their 2-0 loss in Philadelphia – the decent play of rookie goaltender Ryan Miller – dissolved on Saturday when Miller was shredded for six goals by the Islanders.
There were other surprises from the opening weekend: The Devils and Red Wings surrendered two-goal leads. The Flyers blew a three-goal lead. The powerhouse Avalanche fizzled in their first game against a serious opponent, losing 2-1 to St. Louis.
But at this time of year, consistent losing is the only item worthy of note. Most of October’s trends and results will be distant and irrelevant memories by January. In these early days a team simply must avoid being awful: score a few, don’t lose by five or six goals, play it safe with the lead, pick up a handful of points every week.
The only absolute rule is, avoid a losing streak. An October losing streak can be ruinous. It can turn a defending conference champion like Anaheim into just another borderline playoff team. It can dash the optimism in New York or Buffalo before the first snowfall. Seasons are not won in October, but they can surely be lost.
While most teams settle in, looking to maintain an even keel through the first quarter of the schedule, the Rangers, Sabres and Ducks have quickly squandered that luxury. They must change course, and do so quickly. The Hurricanes, Bruins and Leafs could also use convincing victories to show everyone, including themselves, that they are ready and willing.
The Sabres were the first to respond, turning on the offense for Monday’s 4-3 win against Dallas. Who’s next?
