Avalanche get out-worked by lesser-talented Rangers in arguably worst loss of season

NEW YORK – Was this the worst loss of the season? Yeah, I think so.

Not the worst in terms of margin of final score, but for overall disappointment, for work ethic, for lack smarts, lack of passion, lack of aggression, lack of initiative? Yeah, I think so.

The Avalanche lost to the New York Rangers here at Madison Square Garden because they got outworked by a lesser-talented team, a team starting a goalie playing his first NHL game, in a game in which they got the first two goals quickly and must have thought the rest of the night would be a breeze.