Peter Laviolette makes his feelings known about MSG fans raining boos at Rangers after "unacceptable" loss to Blackhawks

New York Rangers coach Peter Laviolette didn't mince words when discussing the boos that rained down on his team from Rangers fans after an "unacceptable" 2-1 loss to the last place Chicago Blackhawks on Monday night at Madison Square Garden.

The defeat dropped the Rangers' record to 14-12-1 on the season, having lost eight of their last 10 games. When asked about the boos at MSG, Laviolette responded:

"It's frustrating. I get it. Deservedly so. When your pace should be at a higher level and your execution should be at a higher level, I get it. It's frustration."

Will Cuylle scored the lone goal for New York. Taylor Hall and Tyler Bertuzzi tallied for Chicago. Blackhawks goalie Arvid Soderblom stopped 29 shots, while Igor Shesterkin made 30 saves in the losing effort.

Laviolette pulled no punches when assessing his team's performance.

"The execution was off all night. Could be fatigue, could be mental, could be anything. Regardless, it's unacceptable. We've got to be better than that. You're not going to win hockey games if you can't execute. We haven't talked about that much, but tonight, execution was clearly won with the puck.

Laviolette pointed out that they couldn't make five-foot passes or connect on a 20-foot pass, whether coming out of D zone coverage or in the offensive zone, and just couldn't connect on their plays.

When asked how the Rangers can regain their game, Laviolette said that the solution has to come from within the locker room.

---

Rangers' Artemi Panarin reflects on loss to the Blackhawks

New York winger Artemi Panarin voiced his disappointment following the Rangers' 2-1 defeat to the struggling Chicago Blackhawks, addressing their scoring woes. The Russian winger emphasized team unity as the path forward.

"It's not easy, but we try to stay together.All of us are in the same situation, we're in the same boat. We got to [climb out] of that hole together, too. In that situation, doesn't have any other option. Just hard work, be ready mentally, handle that and then use it like an opportunity for being better."

The loss marked another frustrating night for the Rangers. Panarin's call for mental toughness and hard work resonated as the team looks to bounce back. Next, the Rangers face the Buffalo sabres on Wednesday at the KeyBank Center.