Mike Sullivan pulled James Reimer after one period Monday night, then put the blame squarely on himself.
The Rangers lost 6-3 at home to Los Angeles, their third straight loss.
Reimer faced eight shots in the first period and allowed three goals.
“I put him in a tough spot,” Sullivan said. “That's on me.”
The context matters. “Let's just acknowledge we're in a difficult circumstance when our top two goalies are injured,” Sullivan added.
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Igor Shesterkin is on injured reserve with a knee injury. Joonas Korpisalo is on IR with a foot injury, expected out until at least Nov. 9.
Dylan Garand's growing workload becomes the Rangers' real problem
The coach explained the hook plainly: “I just felt like maybe Reims needs a little bit more preparation before we put him in that circumstance.”
Dylan Garand came on in relief and stopped 15 of 17 shots, but still took the loss.
“I think Dylan has given us some really good games,” Sullivan said. “His workload is mounting.”
He's not wrong. The 24-year-old has already appeared in 10 games.
He sits at a .899 save percentage, with one shutout.
Sullivan deserves credit for wearing this one publicly. But the bigger question belongs to Chris Drury, who left the crease this thin behind Shesterkin.
Dropping a 38-year-old into an NHL game on short notice is like handing a substitute teacher the final exam on day one.
The Rangers are 6-1-0 at home and 1-5-1 on the road, so losing this one on home ice stings more than usual.
So who starts next? Spencer Martin has one appearance this season, and Reimer now carries a .625 save percentage.
The Rangers don't play again until Sunday against Edmonton. That's nearly a week for Sullivan to find the preparation he says Reimer needs, and for Drury to decide whether that's enough.
Should the Rangers trade for a veteran goalie right now?
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