The Rangers Veterans Will Need To Step Up If Team Wants To Make Playoffs

A fortune could be made by someone willing to invent the still-to-be-created "Honest Hockey Mirror." Just say, "Mirror, mirror on the wall" and you get answers you wouldn't believe.

The Maven is willing to bet that – at some time or other this season – a Ranger has said, "it's time that we take a good look in the mirror." (K'Andre Miller did it two games ago.)

Until that magical mirror comes along we should turn our attention to what the Beloved Blueshirts are telling the media these nights.

We start with that noted orator Mika Zibanejad, the Plato of puck-chasing. After the 4-0 loss to Carolina, The Big Z actually said, "I think we've been playing some good hockey."

How about the coach who sees things clearly and sees them whole. (Sometimes.)

"We're focusing on the game we're playing and trying to play the best version of our game to collect points."

Did he really say "focusing?"

They lost to Colorado in the final minute because unfocused defenseman Will Borgen passed the puck to Clark Kent and Superman Makar said "Thank You!" and then won the game.

Focused? Why can't the Rangers focus enough to score the game's first goal, just once in a while.

Focused? Breadman Panarin must have thought he was Willy Wonka in The Chocolate Factory when the Canes game started.

Artless-temi lost the puck and Carolina's winning goal was scored before the first minute had elapsed.

Meanwhile, a couple of Core members could use "Honest Mirrors."

* ADAM FOX: If memory serves us; he once won a Norris Trophy largely based on offensive talents. So far the guy has two empty net goals and one legitimate one for the season.

* CHRIS KREIDER: Over a period of 42 games he has totalled two assists and is minus 7.

But enough of the pessimism, beat Boston and we'll revert to the favorite question: who should the Rangers face in the first round?