"Guess Laviolette is gone": Fans react as NY Rangers' 5-1 defeat against LA Kings marks 9th loss in 12 games

Modified Dec 15, 2024 12:06 GMT

The NY Rangers lost 5-1 on Saturday against the Los Angeles Kings. The fans were left frustrated, questioning the team's performance and pointing fingers at coach Peter Laviolette for the team's dismal state this season.

The previous season's Presidents Trophy winner and Eastern Conference finalists, the NY Rangers, have displayed an extremely mediocre performance in all 27 games they've played this season. Having lost 9 of the last 12 games and with no visible signs of improvement.

NY Rangers fans are questioning head coach Peter Laviolette's coaching style and capabilities.

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The biggest criticism against 60-year-old Peter Laviolette is his unwillingness to bench out-of-form senior players, particularly the NY Rangers' number-one center, Mika Zibanejad.

Zibanejad, despite having only 6 goals and 15 assists, totaling 21 points, with an unimpressive power-play production of just 2 goals, remains in the squad. Meanwhile many young talents available in the NY Rangers' locker room are still waiting for a chance to prove themselves.

Many NY Rangers fans, who were once in awe of Laviolette's coaching techniques, which helped the team achieve the NHL's best record last season, are now counting days before he's fired.

"I get the feeling the Peter Laviolette is on borrowed time. NY Rangers have perfected Rip Van Winkle performances for the past month," Wrote one fan.

"Guess Laviolette is gone," another fan added.

"Peter laviolette is not a serious person," another stated.

"Truly horrendous," exclaimed another fan.

NY Rangers in danger of missing postseason, says Carlo Colaiacovo

NHL: Los Angeles Kings at New York Rangers - Source: Imagn

The NY Rangers Saturday's 5-1 loss against the Los Angeles Kings at Madison Square Garden was their ninth loss in 12 games and third in their last four games. This unending losing streak has intensified fans' calls for the management to fire coach Laviolette.

As per former hockey defenceman and NHL analyst Carlo Colaiacovo, the likelihood of the NY Rangers (15-12-1), making the playoffs this season is extremely thin.

Colaiacovo said on TSN:

"So I'm going to go with the Rangers to miss because if you've watched anything that's gone on in New York right now, they are going through extreme turmoil."

The NY Rangers will look to change their fortune when they next meet the St. Louis Blues on Sunday at the Enterprise Center.