Gallant rips Rangers' effort in Game 4 loss: 'We didn't show up'

The New York Rangers were dealt a tremendous opportunity to put the New Jersey Devils on the brink of elimination after winning the first two games on the road, but following back-to-back home losses, the two sides are all square.

Head coach Gerard Gallant was not pleased with his club's effort to put a stranglehold on the series in Monday's Game 4 loss.

"Not good enough," Gallant said postgame. "Not even close to good enough."

He added: "We didn't show up. We didn't play hard enough. We didn't compete hard enough. All we did was yap at the linesmen for getting thrown out of the faceoffs. Lot of bad things tonight."

Gallant was particularly upset with the effort from some of his wingers in the neutral zone.

"Tonight, weak-side winger was a little bit lazy, staying on the other side of the ice to watch the play instead of supporting it," Gallant said. "How many times did you see us whipping pucks across and them picking them off in the middle? Just the old recipe when you look like you're tired or lazy, that's what happens."

Rangers forward Vincent Trocheck, who scored New York's lone goal in the 3-1 loss, lamented the team's struggles while noting it was a tough sledding for both teams.

"I think they had a hard time getting into our end as well," Trocheck said. "A lot of play in the neutral zone. It's playoff hockey. It's clogged up out there."

The Rangers and Devils each recorded 23 shots, but New Jersey registered more quality chances, controlling 66.2% of the expected goals at five-on-five, per Natural Stat Trick.

"We have to do a better job of getting to the middle of the ice and getting more pucks on net," Rangers captain Jacob Trouba added.

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