They've been without Trouba, their toughest player, and without Kreider for the past two as well. The Rangers shouldn't have to goon it up to defend themselves against a guy who is running around assaulting players multiple times a year. That's on the league. And if you're wanting the Rangers to come up with a solution to a problem that occurs over and over again across differing teams, with the same player, that's on you, not them.
This team made a lot of strides this year. The overreaction to the last few games is expected, but still pathetic. The reason the Rangers are where they are is because of their poor start and the fact that they ended up in the hardest division in the NHL.