After a baseball and football driven hiatus it’s time to get back to talking about my beloved New York Rangers. So far the red, white and blue are off to a fine 9-4-1 start to the season, off the back of a 6-3 loss to the Jets.

No, not those Jets! The NHL leading 15-1-0 Winnipeg Jets came into the Garden and got the job done. Now sure losing to the best in the league isn’t shameful, as clearly everyone is having a hard time knocking off the visitors from the great white north. But the loss to Winnipeg was biggest example of a recurring theme of the Rangers recent performances. Defensive struggles have plagued this group over the past six to seven games in particular. This combined with their lack of attention to detail makes for a lethal combo that even a team as talented as this one can’t overcome.

The ongoing problems are best exemplified in the play of a few individuals in particular, who can’t seem to get going to begin the campaign. The recently returned from injury Ryan Lindgren doesn’t seem anywhere near his usual defensively solid self, and he has plenty of company in that regard. Captain Jacob Trouba has unfortunately picked up where he left off, after a tough postseason on the backend. Round out the struggling trio is K’Andre Miller, whose three year regression arc rolls on.

While those three are lagging behind on the blue line, there is a forward keeping them company too. Mika Zibanejad, one of this team’s best players since 2018-19, looks like a shell of himself thus far. Number 93 has long been a terrific all around forward, but his game has completely abandoned him in all three zones. He is unable to support his linemates on the attack and is struggling to lead the penalty kill. It’s not fun to sit here and say all that about Mika after all he has done for this team, but it’s also the simple fact of where he is at right now. He acknowledged the reality of the situation in his comments after practice Wednesday, as he opened up about the mental struggle of the slump.

“I can bury myself in negativity and make it even worse, or try to learn from it and take the positives that were in the game,” Zibanejad said. “My job is to go out there and play a good game (Thursday). Whether I have a great game the game before or a bad game, it doesn’t change. You’re expecting me – and I’m expecting myself – to play (well) every night. It’s not going to happen every night, even as much as I want to, but just play hard and have a short memory.”

• Mika Zibanejad on his struggles

All four of these players had their worst game in some time Tuesday night at home against Winnipeg, and just how much they are hurting this hockey club truly came into focus. Whatever the explanation is for it all, these players have to start fixing what’s wrong in their games and fast. Whether or not everyone believes in each of them of wants them here is irrelevant, because sure the truth is there is a higher level to each of their games. One that is needed to help this team find consistency in its play. The defensive struggles, which Zibanejad is a part of, are representative of players not paying attention to detail in their own end. Disappointing coming from this group, one that worked so hard at the details a season ago.

Head coach Peter Laviolette now faces the challenge of elevating this group from a bit of a downer, in stark contrast to last year’s laser focused approach we saw from the jump. The concern always existed throughout the offseason that this team would be flat or burned out after another postseason where they came so close but fell short. While I don’t think their effort is really the issue, they just look like off when it comes to the finer points of the game. You can get away with that when you have a lot of skill like this group does, especially when you play weaker teams. If any staff can lock this group in, it’s this one, and the better news is they get to do that work while being 9-4-1.

But even if this team tightens up, it feels like GM Chris Drury needs to make changes push this team over the hump in the spring. We have already seen behind the curtain when it comes to how Drury actually thinks of this team, and what he wants to do with it. Back in the summer, Drury tried to move on from Jacob Trouba in a draft week trade that would have opened up lots of roster and cap flexibility. It was a risk, one worth taking in my opinion, but ultimately it backfired when Trouba torpedoed the trade, leading to him returning this season. The larger hitch in this becomes that Trouba is not movable in season, due to his large deal and no move clause, which makes improving this team harder.

Zibanejad is in a similar position, though I seriously doubt Drury would have interest in moving the center-man. Which leaves us with Miller and Lindgren, as players the Rangers could upgrade upon while getting value in return. This really rings true in the case of Miller, who much like Lindgren is on an expiring contract. As mentioned earlier, number 79’s play has steadily declined in quality since the back end of the 2023 campaign. It’s disheartening to watch a player who had and still has such promise in his game, but the regression is reminiscent of watching Gleyber Torres regress in pinstripes. In the final year of his deal, it feels like the best thing for the Rangers is to move on from Miller and get a steadier defender in his place. And frankly, it feels like Miller’s career would benefit from a change of scenery.

Of course, it certainly hasn’t been all bad for the Rangers, despite the tone of this piece. Artemi Panarin, Vinny Trocheck and Alexis Lafreniere picked up where they left off last year on offense. Chris Kreider’s game is starting to take off while playing with new comer Reilly Smith, who has made a nice impression so far this year.

The young third line of Cuylle, Chytil and Kakko have been great in possession and continuing to create chances. This goes hand in hand with a fourth line led by solid free agent addition Sam Carrick, who is flanked by stand out Adam Edstrom and the newly healthy Jimmy Vesey. And despite the defensive issues Adam Fox and Braden Schneider continue play well on the blue line. Not to be left out, the goaltending is on point with Igor Shesterkin and Jonathan Quick putting in strong work in net.

I want to end on a positive note, and that how I feel about where this team is headed. While they have to straighten out their game and the details, I believe they will be just fine. They will keep on winning, hopefully in prettier fashion, and head through the season in good shape. Whether that will be enough to make a deep run again remains to be seen, but frankly that’s too much to worry about the moment. By all means, talk through the games, analyze the play, but keep some perspective and stay behind the team. One game at a time and let’s see where the chips fall and how they play. Let’s go Rangers everyone!

You can find Mike @Mike_Sheerin, Tyler @TMon_19 and Sean @SeanMartinNFL. Subscribe to the site by hitting the follow button in the bottom right corner and entering your email address. Check out our Instagram feed @thebroadwaybreakdownsports for special gameday and promotional content. Our podcasts are available on Spotify. Visit the Rangers Ed Shop by clicking the link on our homepage. Check out our mailbag page to join the conversation here on the site and on our partners show, The Rangers Ed Podcast! We’ll be back with more soon!