Report: Gallant, Drury got into heated argument after Game 4 loss

New York Rangers head coach Gerard Gallant and general manager Chris Drury had a heated altercation after the club's Game 4 loss to the New Jersey Devils in the first round, reports The Athletic's Arthur Staple.

The Rangers lost the contest 3-1 on home ice, letting the Devils equalize the series after the Blueshirts won the first two games. New Jersey ultimately took the series in seven.

Gallant's job security has been in question since New York's demoralizing elimination to one of its biggest rivals, prompting him to defend himself at his end-of-season interview on Wednesday.

"I can't believe I have to answer some of these questions about me getting fired, brought up by the media," Gallant said. "Disappointing."

Despite tensions appearing to be high, the Rangers aren't likely to move on from Gallant, according to Staple. The crop of candidates to replace the 59-year-old - which includes veterans Peter Laviolette and Darryl Sutter - reportedly isn't enticing enough to sway Drury to make a change behind the bench.

The Rangers hired Gallant prior to the 2021-22 campaign, and he's led the club to back-to-back 100-plus point seasons. He was nominated for the Jack Adams Award after his first year behind the bench on the strength of a 110-point effort while also leading the club to the Eastern Conference Final.