While there were worse performances during their stretch of 15 losses in 19 games around the holidays, perhaps what unfolded for the New York Rangers on Tuesday against the Calgary Flames was more disappointing than any defeat then.

New York will attempt to bounce back from its inferior showing on Thursday when it hosts the Toronto Maple Leafs.

The Rangers (33-30-6, 72 points) are 2-4-2 over their past eight contests and on a four-game home losing streak (0-3-1) after being held to 13 shots on goal in a 2-1 loss to the Flames, who were coming off a late-night flight from Toronto.

New York entered the game with a one-point lead for the second wild-card spot in the Eastern Conference.

“There was nothing there,” Rangers coach Peter Laviolette said in a customary short press conference following subpar showings. “They were faster than us. They get to the ice quicker than us. They were more ready.”

Artemi Panarin scored for the seventh time in 10 games and extended his points streak to 10 games just 1:13 into the contest.

There was little in the way of offense for the rest of the game as the Rangers missed the net 22 times, had 13 shots blocked and were credited with 20 giveaways.

“Honestly, I don’t know what happened,” defenseman Braden Schneider told reporters after Wednesday’s optional practice. “We were just off our mark. It was a disappointing game for us. Obviously a big two points that we missed out on. All we can do is turn the page and look to tomorrow.”

With 13 games remaining, the Rangers are one point back with the Montreal Canadiens, who have two games in hand. The Rangers also lead the New York Islanders and Columbus Blue Jackets, Detroit Red Wings by two points and hold a three-point edge on the Boston Bruins.

Toronto (41-24-3, 85 points) earned a 3-2 win in its most recent visit to New York on Feb. 28 when Matthew Knies scored the go-ahead goal 6:21 into the third period following a misplay behind the net by Igor Shesterkin.

The last meeting was the fourth victory in a five-game winning streak. The Maple Leafs, however, are 3-4-1 in their past eight games and have been held to two goals or fewer in five of those contests.

Toronto heads to New York coming off a 2-1 home win over the Colorado Avalanche.

Captain Auston Matthews scored a power-play goal 28 seconds into the second period after tallying twice in a span of 3:13 on the power play in Monday’s 6-2 win over Calgary. Steven Lorentz scored a short-handed goal, and the Maple Leafs survived giving up 39 shots on goal thanks to a stellar effort from goalie Joseph Woll.

“I think it was just a gritty win,” Matthews said. “Joe was great for us tonight. They’ve got some high-end speed and skill over there, and I thought we did a good job of when we needed to defend, we checked hard and Woll was there to back us up at the end too.”

Matthews had an assist in the previous meeting with New York. He has six goals in his past nine games, with four of those coming on power plays.

–Field Level Media