WASHINGTON — The Rangers might want to consider using one of their excess seventh-round picks (or, heaven forbid, maybe even a sixth) acquiring an enforcer before the deadline.
Because while the Blueshirts responded admirably, they were repeatedly crushed by an aggressive Capitals team that had no one to fear with Adam McQuaid sitting it out as the defenseman awaits word where he is going to be traded.
The smallish Rangers, who compete in the dirty areas, have no one to provide even the illusion of protection. The last thing they need is for the kids to be bullied over the final 20 games.
They were not bullied in this 6-5 overtime defeat in which Ryan Strome threw down with Matt Niskanen, Connor Brickley tussled with Brooks Orpik following a typically marginal hit and Tony DeAngelo engaged Tom Wilson more than once.
“I enjoy this,” said DeAngelo. “It was a good job by us, battling and sticking together.”
No doubt, but the last thing you want is a team bringing a butter knife to a street brawl.
“If you play the right way, you’re going to piss people off,” said David Quinn. “I don’t want to be the Broad Street Bullies, but you have to play with an edge if you’re going to have success, you have to play with an edge, and we played with an edge.”
Henrik Lundqvist, who allowed six goals on 35 shots, said he got away from his game plan and became overaggressive when the Caps found open players in the middle of the ice.
“It was definitely a test, mentally,” he said. “I need to stay patient instead of charging out. The team kept fighting. I wish I could have come up with a couple of more saves. I wish I could have done better.”
The Rangers scored 21 seconds into the first and third periods, Chris Kreider getting the first one in converting a gorgeous Jimmy Vesey backhand feed and then Vesey himself getting the other for his 15th.
The Caps scored 21 seconds apart late in the first for 2-1 lead and then 36 seconds apart early in the third for 5-3 lead.
The Rangers are 1-7 in games decided by three-on-three. … The Blueshirts are off until Wednesday, when Tampa Bay comes to the Garden.