TORONTO - New coach. Same results.
It was after losing 3-2 in overtime to the Toronto Maple Leafs on Sunday that John Tortorella replaced Tom Renney behind the New York Rangers' bench. In a rematch three nights later, it made no difference.
Though the Rangers may have been the better team, they were still defeated 2-1 by the Leafs in the shootout Wednesday night.
Goaltender Vesa Toskala earned Toronto the win. The 31-year-old Finn, who made 31 saves, stopped all three attempts in the overtime shootout. Nikolai Kulemin scored the Leafs' only goal.
"Obviously, we've had good success against (the Rangers) the last two games," said
Toronto forward Niklas Hagman, whose team faces the New York Islanders on Thursday.
"Hopefully, the luck continues against another New York team."
Though Tortorella wanted to get off to a winning start, his impact will be gauged over the next six weeks, not 60 minutes. If first impressions are anything to go by, the former Tampa Bay Lightning coach has his hands full.
Sure, defenceman Wade Redden snapped a four-month and 57-game scoring drought. And winger Markus Naslund showed passion by fighting for the first time in 15 years. But the Rangers, who are dangerously close to falling out of a playoff spot, still lost their ninth straight game on the road.
"We have to finish," said Tortorella, whose team has averaged less than two goals in each of the last 16 games. "I know the guys are trying. It's just that last thing to score a goal."
The Leafs' win came at a cost. Toronto lost forward John Mitchell and defenceman Jeff Finger to upper-body injuries.
"Ninety-nine per cent they won't play (Thursday)," said Wilson, who added that the team has recalled forward Tim Stapleton and defenceman Anton Stralman from their American Hockey League affiliate, the Toronto Marlies.
After a scoreless first period, the Rangers took a 1-0 lead on a power-play goal from Redden. It was the offensive-minded defenceman's third goal of the season - and first since Oct. 10.
But the Rangers, who outshot the Leafs 32-24, could not put away their opponent. And three nights after he scored the overtime winner, Hagman tied the midway through the third period game with his 19th goal.
"I just think we lack confidence when it comes to scoring a goal," said Tortorella. "I look at us on a three-on-two, a drop pass to Chris Drury hops over his stick. We have a couple pucks in the crease, we fan on one with an open net. It's just the way it's going right now."
Part of the Rangers' difficulty Wednesday night had to do with the opposing goaltender.
Ever since he sat out for two games to rest his injured groin, and then was publicly criticized by general manager Brian Burke, Toskala appears to be a changed man. He has allowed just five goals in his last three starts. And was once again the reason why his team picked up two points Thursday night.
"You guys ask the same question after every win," Toskala said of whether he is feeling better these days. "Nothing's changed."
Hagman, who disagreed with his teammate's assessment, said, "You can see the confidence is building."
New York's confidence, however, still needs a little work.
The Rangers headed into Thursday night's game in sixth place. But having lost 11 of their previous 13 games, they are only two points ahead of the ninth-place Carolina Hurricanes.
"Again, I haven't seen the whole year with this club, but obviously it's been a struggle to score goals," said Tortorella. "I thought we had some good offensive pressure, but we just can't make that next play."
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