The Rangers are at their best when they move through the neutral zone with purpose on both sides of the puck.
With how many strong puck handlers they have, it should be an area of the ice the Blueshirts can take advantage of.
Instead, it’s been an area of the ice the Rangers have struggled to control, which has only exacerbated their defensive miscues and poor decision-making.
“I think our neutral zone [play] needs to tighten up,” K’Andre Miller told The Post after practice on Monday at MSG Training Center. “I think we’re turning the puck over a little bit too much, trying to make too many east-west plays through the neutral zone. Those are eventually going to cost us. Obviously, seen it a number of times throughout the 11 games to start the season, how many times the puck isn’t clean through the neutral zone and next thing you know it’s coming right back at you.
“I think just playing smart, not trying to do too much through the neutral zone — just simple and predictable.”