FLYERS 3, RANGERS 2: The Rangers are slumping offensively again with just 13 goals in their last nine games, including successive road losses by the same score on back-to-back nights in Montreal and Philadelphia. In both games, the Rangers fell behind early before a third-period comeback fell short. They also have scored just twice in their last 32 opportunities on the power play, including 0-for-3 on Sunday.
"We can't spot (teams) a 3-0 lead and expect to win," leading scorer Brandon Dubinsky said.
John Tortorella has remained patient throughout star winger Marian Gaborik's scoring woes this season.
Until Sunday night, that is.
The two-time 40-goal scorer, including a team-best 42 in his Broadway debut last season, hasn't scored in eight games and was benched for most of the second period in Sunday's 3-2 loss in Philadelphia.
"It's just (that) we need production from him, I'll leave it at that," Tortorella said. "We've got guys grinding their (butts) off. We need some of our skill guys to score a goal for us."
Gaborik played just 12:45 against the Flyers, including just 2:25 over five shifts in the middle period. He finished with two shots on goal and a minus-1 rating. Tortorella added that there are no physical issues with Gaborik, who missed about a month early this season with a shoulder injury.
"Obviously, I haven't produced much lately. Obviously, in these types of games, it's a big game. I'm not giving up, I've just got to work harder, just try to get out of it, that's the bottom line," Gaborik said. "Confidence is a very big part. The last few games, I felt good and we created chances. I think things were happening but it was not going in. It surprised me (Sunday) to get benched. It's the coach's decision, that's the bottom line. I have to produce and help this team win games... You definitely want to go out there and prove you should be on the ice."
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