I hate losing to the Rangers as much as anyone, but as always, there is a fine line between being disappointed with a loss and overreaction.
This was a game that we were in virtually the entire way with a very good opponent. This was with 11 forwards and 7 defensemen, and then down to 10 forwards for the majority of the game after losing Nosek. We were ahead for most of the 3rd period, and had our chances to go up by two. We even had our chances to go up again after Panarin tied it.
It's a tough pill to swallow, I get it, but the response from Jack and Bratt tells you all you need to know. The players know this isn't good enough, and they have to get to that level. We're not in a hole when it comes to the playoff chase, it's far too early to make those claims. Have faith in the players we invested in, because they're good enough to put us in positions for success. We have to hope that we can get fully healthy, and that the goaltending settles down.
As for the Ranger fans in the Rock, it is what it is and it will likely never change. Tickets here I imagine are still way more affordable than they are at MSG, and there is too much of a Ranger fan presence in our neck of the woods to make a difference. I haven't been to a Ranger-Devil regular season game in a decade, and it's tough to regret that. It tends to bring out the worst in both sides of the fanbase.