NFT: New York Rangers @ Detroit Red Wings, 8:00 pm

the Isles picked up about as lucky a charity point as you'll ever see last night. Two seconds left, they just send one towards the net and it's off the defenseman's skate and in. Luckily, the blew it in OT and only got one.

Major test for this group over the next 4-5 games. Hopefully we see more performances from Talbot like we got the other night.

Benn was in front of the net and it rocketed right off his skate and into the net. God forbid a team in the Metro doesn't get a point somehow.

Fuck 'em. 3 points back with a game in hand is where the real focus is.

we're 1 point back with 3 games in hand

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carry on

BTW, I'd be satisfied with five points over the next four games. I'd be happy with six (and very happy if those six came against the Eastern teams).

(Last time I said something like this we won every game.)

Can't complain with the points we've gotten with Prince back there, but the offense has been the reason for that. I just hope Hank doesn't come back rusty like he's been starting off the seasons in recent years.

.

Sather and AV just keep saying he'll be fine and he'll be back, he's making progress, skating, he continues to be evaluated, etc.. but there's still no timetable.

I think if he can just get back around the 22nd when we play Anaheim, he should be able to get 10 games in before the playoffs. I think that'd be fine.

In comment 12162590 BrettNYG10 said:

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BTW, I'd be satisfied with five points over the next four games. I'd be happy with six (and very happy if those six came against the Eastern teams). (Last time I said something like this we won every game.)

Im aiming for 4-0, with at least one forfeit.

with the likes of Datsyuk, Zetterberg and Franzen adding more vets at the deadlone in Cole and Zidlickit. Fewest losses in the league including only 5 at home and the leagues best PP, pretty impressive. Stay out of the box boys and get it done.

In comment 12162515 Kyle in NY said:

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the Isles picked up about as lucky a charity point as you'll ever see last night. Two seconds left, they just send one towards the net and it's off the defenseman's skate and in. Luckily, the blew it in OT and only got one.

And they'll likely get the Florida Panthers goalie coach on Saturday now. Unbelievable.

But i dont even really care about this division - the Caps are on fire and a really sound team anyway. I just want to finish top 2 so we get home ice in the initial round, i do think that's important.

I think Pittsburgh steals the division anyway. Their schedule the rest of the way is a joke - just 6 playoff teams on their 20 game schedule. If they survive the California trip with a couple of points, they can cruise the rest of the way.

I think it's really dependent on the next four games. No one else in the division is playing that well right now. The Islanders have looked really inconsistent to me compared to October-December when they were consistently the best team on the ice.

Four in a row. Last 10 is 6-3-1.

4 straight games on the road against playoff teams. but even after that we have 8 of final 16 against playoff teams - including another 4 on road (that Boston Minnesota Winnipeg trip will be tough)

Its not that I think pittsburgh is a world beater - it's just that they're built well for the regular season, they're finally healthy, and they made
some nice moves in getting Perron and winnik. and they have very few games left against playoff teams

even if Pittsburgh wins the division I'd only make them slight favorites at best in a seven game series with the caps

just throwing this out there because I'm bored on a Wednesday afternoon, and maybe this has been going on for years and i just never noticed, but seems like this year...

1. Every team out of it dumped their free agents-to-be, for anything... just so they could get something back. NJ for example dumping Zidlicky for a 3rd rounder and skewing the balance of power to an extent in the Atlantic annoyed me.

2. We basically circumvented the cap with the Yandle trade by getting Arizona to agree to park some of our excess salary cap on their balance sheet per se (since they have no alternate use for it next year). Again, we paid a steep price for that balance sheet help in the from of Duclair and a higher draft pick... but to me its every bit the (creative) circumvention that Lou pulled a few years back with Kovy and got docked draft picks for.

I think the playoffs and league would be better served if they cleaned some of this stuff up and maybe adopted MLB's rules of forfeiting draft picks on Free Agency day (July 1) which would prevent some of the fire sales we saw this week. Dont know if players would ever agree to that though.

To me the Champion should be which team pretty much from opening day through June was the best team - not which teams were able to acquire the most expiring contracts on March 1.

Red Wings IMO went from likely first round fodder to legit Cup contender this week with their moves and they gave up basically nothing to get there.

In comment 12162535 YAJ2112 said:

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we're 1 point back with 3 games in hand

Really just 1/2 a point (w/tie breaker)...

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Vaughn OHL Goaltender of the Month – Brandon Halverson (Sault Ste. Marie Greyhounds):
Sault Ste. Marie Greyhounds goaltender Brandon Halverson is the Vaughn OHL Goaltender of the Month for February, going 8-1-0-0 with a goals-against average of 2.00, a .933 save percentage and two shutouts. The New York Rangers prospect helped the Greyhounds maintain their Western Conference lead with back-to-back shutouts on February 14 and 16 to earn CHL Goaltender of the Week honours. Halverson is on a current eight game winning streak that dates back to February 11 and saw the Hounds clinch their second consecutive West Division title. The 6'4", 188Ib sophomore goaltender was busy in the month of February, starting nine games while making at least 30 saves in five victories.

A native of Traverse City, MI, Halverson is in his second full season with the Greyhounds after being the club's seventh round selection in the 2012 OHL Priority Selection. Halverson was the New York Rangers' second round, 59th overall pick in the 2014 NHL Entry Draft and represented the United States in the 2015 IIHF World Junior Hockey Championship. He currently sits second among OHL goaltenders with 34 wins on the season with a 2.73 goals-against average and .912 save percentage in 43 games.

Link - ( New Window )

was supposedly the best puck handling goalie in the system from the minute he was drafted. It still amazes me after a decade that Hank is so poor at handling the puck. Hank might be the worst long term starter I've seen at actually moving the puck. Others maybe make worse decisions, but Hank cant do shit with the puck on his stick.

the Rangers have done well in the two drafts where they didn't have 1's. Two more to go.

In comment 12163676 Phil in LA said:

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the Rangers have done well in the two drafts where they didn't have 1's. Two more to go.

Assuming they don't trade more first-rounders next year. ;)

Glass scratched. Shep in.

LFG

In comment 12163735 arcarsenal said:

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Glass scratched. Shep in. LFG

Happy day!

Sounds reasonable. Your post that is. Not that the Mets Are Back..

LGR!

.

In comment 12163770 Bones said:

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Sounds reasonable. Your post that is. Not that the Mets Are Back..

thanks - and actually the leafs trade with CBJ was most egregious of them all. a big market team gets out of salary cap hell basically by assuming the amnesty settlement with Horton - he will never play for them and doesn't count against their cap. circumvention of the spirit of the rules

anyway... 30 minutes til puck drop. big one tonight with both teams poised for deep playoff runs and after the #1 seed. Habs schedule is tough like ours the rest of the way so Babcock could actually pull a number 1 seed off.

Hank did see the doctor last week and they got "extremely encouraging" news and that everything was healing nicely. He's been skating with the team every day and McKenzie thinks he's back in the lineup in 10-14 days barring any sort of setback.

Do you have a link?

your lips to God's ears my friend!

Brooksie wrote this morning that Lundqvist was still "at least" 2 weeks away... which basically means "at least 6 weeks away".. versus an initial estimate of 4-6 weeks.

Anyway, i thought you were spot on this morning when you said we just wanted him back around those LA/Anaheim games.. not so much the opponent (Though I do want to sweep LA), but since he'll need about 10 games to get back into game shape.

In comment 12163830 Mike in Long Beach said:

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Do you have a link?

McKenzie said this on NHL Live on NBCSN 10 mins ago.

In comment 12163845 MetsAreBack said:

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your lips to God's ears my friend! Brooksie wrote this morning that Lundqvist was still "at least" 2 weeks away... which basically means "at least 6 weeks away".. versus an initial estimate of 4-6 weeks. Anyway, i thought you were spot on this morning when you said we just wanted him back around those LA/Anaheim games.. not so much the opponent (Though I do want to sweep LA), but since he'll need about 10 games to get back into game shape.

Yup, if we're being conservative he will probably be back right around then. With the back to backs factored in from then on, he'd be able to get around 10 starts which I think would be sufficient for him to knock off the rust.

I feel a lot better now. Just needed to hear some damn news about the guy.

In comment 12163850 RodneyHamp said:

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In comment 12163830 Mike in Long Beach said: Quote: Do you have a link? McKenzie said this on NHL Live on NBCSN 10 mins ago.

Ah, thanks Rodney

That would have been a golden chance

Happy with this start. Hopefully a goal is on the way for us.

grief.

...

But what the heck, count it anyway.

We've seen far less called a kick in the past.

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The rangers deserved to be scored on right there, but why bother having the rule at all if that play is considered a good goal upon review?

Does that shit in front of the net. Accomplishes nothing.

How do they say that was a good goal?

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That would be no goal for the Rangers.

Soda

In comment 12163991 nygmen84 said:

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That would be no goal for the Rangers.

That's a silly thing to say. The league just has zero idea what it is doing with the enforcement of the kicking rules

It was like a changeup and threw everyone off.

keeping the D up?

They have pills for that.

let's convert here.

Huge goal

A garbage goal a piece

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and the skate taketh

And he didn't even have to kick it into the net like the Wings did. ;)

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To put that it. It wasn't the prettiest PP but it was effective.

I was just about to say (and still feel)....how the hell is Girardi still on a PP unit

Rangers look like the better team thus far.

4th line didn't seem to get a ton of burn, but I already like this unit about 5x as much as the Glass/Stemp version

This is such a fast team. It's amazing how quickly we transitioned from a lumbering dump and chase team to a breakout based speed team.. and our speed isn't just small wingers who are fast skaters, either. We have big guys who can skate (Kreider, Nash, Miller, etc)

right in the slot. Man, it amazes me that vets can do that.

.

had him beat.

Fucking iron

Had them on the ropes!

puck possession!!

So freaking close

Would have been so fucking sweet if Staal cashed in

fantastic game to watch even if we fall short at the end

This is being played like a playoff game. Two heavyweights.

Wouldn't surprise me at all if this wound up being the ECF.

I was just thinking that same thing, thought this would be a cool ECF matchup.

In comment 12164189 arcarsenal said:

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This is being played like a playoff game. Two heavyweights. Wouldn't surprise me at all if this wound up being the ECF.

The East is really tough this year, and you could make a case for any of the 8 teams currently in the playoff positions to get to the ECF (even Boston if they get right). If I had to guess we'll see a rematch from last year, except Carey Price (who is going to win the Hart) won't get hurt in Game 1

Quickest whistle ever. Howard didn't even have the puck. Unreal.

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If they don't backcheck harder.

8 teams in the East have more goals for than they do but Price has been so good that they're on top of everyone else in the standings.

They're going to have to find ways to get a few more pucks in if they're going to make a run this year, IMO.. then again, if Price keeps it in this gear, I don't know how many goals are going to go against them anyway.

I think the Wings are almost a dark horse, though. I don't feel like they're talked about as much as some of the other EC teams in terms of how likely they are to make a run. This is a really, really good team they have now.

Really evenly matched and hard working, skilled teams.

Hayes is rapidly becoming a presence, and that 3rd line really looks good.

And it's mostly because of Hayes. He's turning into a hell of a fucking player.

to the sides, leaving himself exposed to a pass out front and a wide open net ... led to the first goal and almost another just now

Rangers have to match the pace

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some game, for a regular season game.

Oh man hit the defenders leg. Great, great shift. Keep it up!

then ramp up the pressure, but Jimmy Howard is standing on his head

This is a hell of a game.

Damn

Smith slashed Hayes just before the icing

has really made me appreciate one aspect of Hank's game: rebound control. I think it is something that really separates the elite goalies from everyone else. Hank not only stops the puck, but usually has the presence of mind and skill to kick the puck to a teammate or at least to a non-dangerous area where we have a good chance to retrieve. Talbot OTOH lets some juicy ones sit there.

Let's get one!

Huge PP coming up

If this goes to a shootout we're probably only going to get 1 point out of it. I think he has 37 or 38 saves

.

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And what a save by talbot!!!!

Saved the game right there. Great back check by Zuc as well.

GET THE FUCK IN THE PENALTY BOX

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WITH A MINUTE TO GO? JESUS

wow

!!!

These clowns are blind.

and not call the hold?

Fucking awful

We gotta get into OT somehow

Fuck

It was a shitty call. These refs have sucked both ways

.

!!

playing out of his mind this game.

.

Alright, we got a point

Really sharp.

.

that's a really good point

that 2nd point now

point!

Goalies will be stars 1/2 or 1/3, depending on whether this gets to a shootout.

But it got blatantly held and dragged down. It was an awful call.

We have to find a way to kill the rest of this penalty and then end it in OT.

This has been an awesome game

First.

...

!!!!!!!!

Thanks refs.

....

HORESSHIT BY THE REFS. FUCK YOU, REFS. YOU'RE TELLING ME YOU SAW THE PUCK, YOU FUCKHEAD!?!?

to not have a shot at the 2nd point because of an awful call, but whatever

by some shitty officiating

Detroit didn't deserve the chance to score that. I thought Talbot had it covered

Didn't see it popped in the air.



But still, fuck

Awful way to lose

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Fucking garbage penalty gave the game away.

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against another top East team on the road

Since DET kicked the puck in, then the whistle doesn't blow even though the ref can't see the puck.

is the Steelers of the NHL. Fuck them.

Talbot played one helluva game. Puck just got squeezed over him.

the whistle early there

the chicken shit refs! That call on Brass was bullshit and you can argue the Step penalty too!

Assholes.

they get a ROW for winning 4-on-3 hybrid hockey. Fuck.

On to the next one... beat Chicago. Damnit.

whistle protection that Howard got tonight.

I'm still furious at Brassard for that slash.

Even with the poor call on Steps, rangers should have been at even strength. Just a really stupid loss of composure

Tough to end it on a fluke goal. Thought Stepan had to be smarter there. Gotta know they'll be fishing for a call at the slightest contact. Didn't need to reach in.

Thought we were pretty clearly the better team tonight. Still a lot to like about how the team is playing. Cam looking a lot more comfortable.

... just fun to watch them every single game ... and can already see that the trades are going to make a difference the rest of the way ... just playing really exciting, great hockey

We HAVE to get the point before our back to back with the isles and craps

In comment 12164404 Stufftherun said:

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the chicken shit refs! That call on Brass was bullshit and you can argue the Step penalty too!

Stuuf, I agree about the Step call...it looked a lot worse than it was. But Brass slashed the crap out of that guy...damn if I'm gonna try to spell his name.

What the hell?? Good grief dude

..and we're on a power play. Fackkk.

In comment 12164416 Kyle in NY said:

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What the hell?? Good grief dude

Looked like it was a mad scramble. Didn't see the puck pop in the air. It was a good goal, but a shit way to end the game.

You're a hot mess.

In comment 12164400 NYerInMA said:

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Since DET kicked the puck in, then the whistle doesn't blow even though the ref can't see the puck.

That's the call I had a problem with. Obvious soccer kick goal and it stood up

In comment 12164423 bigbluehoya said:

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You're a hot mess.

....At least I'm hot.

there is zero issue with the actual winning goal, but there never should have been a power play.

Pull it together, Anak.

the entire complexion of the game would have changed. Maybe we'd have won 3-0... or still lost 0-4.

We got a point in a tough building against what may be the #1 seed in the eastern conference against their star goaltender with our backup. Cam played well, but there's a lot to feel good about tonight.

Came away with a point on the start of a brutal roadtrip, team for the most part carried the play 5x5 (Howard made 39 saves, it happens), Cam played well, etc.

And speaking of a mess, Fekker popped over here like a little chipmunk cunt and grabbed your quotes to go light you up on the isles thread.

In comment 12164434 bigbluehoya said:

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And speaking of a mess, Fekker popped over here like a little chipmunk cunt and grabbed your quotes to go light you up on the isles thread.

LOL, that doesn't surprise me. One of the most massive inferiority complexes I've ever seen.

In comment 12164434 bigbluehoya said:

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And speaking of a mess, Fekker popped over here like a little chipmunk cunt and grabbed your quotes to go light you up on the isles thread.

He's trying to prove his allegiance...

The inferiority is strong with that one

I figured he was just celebrating our OTL.... should have known he'd been reading our game threads for the past 2 hours waiting for an opportunity.

Kid is fuckin unreal. Did his cheap ass friends ever figure out how to settle a measly dinner bet between 5 guys yet? JFC.

They're still trying to figure out the stipulations for their dinner.

After the loss, when I saw the isles thread jump back up to the top, I just shook my head and thought "this fucking guy...yup". It's as predictable as it is pathetic.

But, glass houses and inferiority:

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Oh FEKker,,,, MetsAreBack : 10:50 pm : link : reply just enjoy your continued run against backup goalies, teams missing their superstars (Seguin, etc), and catching teams at their worst times (Nashville). Has Florida announced which bench coach you'll be facing in net on Saturday?

C'mon. You guys haven't played teams backups, faced teams missing key players, nor caught teams at their worst times? That's just childish footstomping. Let's say your guys eked out a hard fought, blood and guts win over a team with any of those circumstances. Would you visit your team's lockerroom to chide the Rangers or say they didn't deserve to win? Pretty sure even Tanner Glass would kick you in your taint. Man, I expect more out of those of you that know the game. Peace.

i'm always going to talk shit... even if you fucks beat us in 5 in May. That's how I roll.

Totally fine with shit talking. I just prefer to roll without double standards.

I love that fucking guy



This is devastating....

Never going the heel route here. I just have to hop the boards when my guys (no matter how misguided certain attempts are) get facewashed. Comes with wearing a "C", knowwhatimsayin'?

as opposed to on the Islanders thread where I was posting separate from this one (short of one time asking Arc if he had a link regarding the news on Hank), I might as well share my sentiments... you know... since I was brought up.

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I have no qualms about it, Nancy. Mike in Long Beach : 11:15 pm : link : reply I'm definitely avidly following your team at this point in the season, both because I admittedly can't stand the Rangers and it's very relevant to our playoff positioning... in fact, your fate at this juncture has as much impact as possible, more than any other team, given our current positioning. With that being said, let's see you guys get off the high horse with the accusations that have been thrown at myself and other Islanders fans about being obsessed with the Rangers. I make one valid comment about an outburst liken to that of a middle school girl who found out she's too old to sell girl scout cookies anymore, and all of a sudden the calvary arrives from Ranger land. So cut the bullshit about this is some one-sided affair. You girls are all over our season at this point, too. Suck it up and put your gloves on. We're not trying to go to the box right now.

Myself included. May I suggest we drop the mits and punch each other repeatedly in the mouth and then grab a brew?!

Always liked the way you think.

You come over here and copy to paste back in the isles thread about a poster here, like a total bitch, and now you're gonna come back and start flipping tables like something's going on behind your back?

Don't get it twisted -- Anak's outburst (which he got called out here on by multiple fans) was ridiculous, but your act takes the fucking cake. You're pathetic.

You want to come talk about the game or throw a few lighthearted jabs?we'll hold the door open for you. You want to call someone out? Have at it. Do it here. I've got no problem with any fan being on any thread as long as they aren't blatantly trolling up an active game thread.

Ducks and Avs both with 2 goal leads on MTL and PIT.

Muyyy bien. Hold those fucking leads.

In comment 12164495 bigbluehoya said:

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You come over here and copy to paste back in the isles thread about a poster here, like a total bitch, and now you're gonna come back and start flipping tables like something's going on behind your back? Don't get it twisted -- Anak's outburst (which he got called out here on by multiple fans) was ridiculous, but your act takes the fucking cake. You're pathetic. You want to come talk about the game or throw a few lighthearted jabs?we'll hold the door open for you. You want to call someone out? Have at it. Do it here. I've got no problem with any fan being on any thread as long as they aren't blatantly trolling up an active game thread.

Go back and read my original post, dumb ass. I specifically posted it over there as to not insinuate that such behavior is common among the Rangers fans here. It was an attempt at respect (naturally, not directed at the likes of you). So stating that Anak's outburst was called out here proves nothing. I'm well aware of that.

And again, I posted it on an Islanders thread. Somehow you think that's pathetic, yet you're over here discussing me instead of the game you just watched? Is that not just a smidge more pathetic?

Please grow a pair, whether it be balls or eyeballs because you're acting like a monumental pussy and also appear to lack basic reading comprehension.

But I reread that and think that wasn't directed at me. I mean, I hope it wasn't...that's enough to make a man go see a therapist. Or as Sean Connery would say, "the rapist".

You can get lost now. Or copy whatever text you need to take back to your cubbyhole. Whatever works.

It was still an entertaining game and Talbot played very well.

In comment 12164506 pganut said:

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But I reread that and think that wasn't directed at me. I mean, I hope it wasn't...that's enough to make a man go see a therapist. Or as Sean Connery would say, "the rapist".

Ha, Not directed at you.

I liked what I saw from Sheppard. He didn't look out of place. My only concern is that he looks to be a pretty slow skater.

But he was smart with the puck, good decisions coming out of the zone, and was conservative about going for changes at safe times (probably mostly a function of being brand new)

I still can't believe Brassard made that fucking slash. So stupid.

I can live with the Stepan call. When you get your arm in like that, there's a risk that you're going to get called on a soft one. It wasn't a good call by any stretch, but we see worse regularly.

In comment 12164516 Anakim said:

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I liked what I saw from Sheppard. He didn't look out of place. My only concern is that he looks to be a pretty slow skater.

Simple fix, insert #15 back in the lineup.

Made a noticeable difference in the 4th line. All 4 lines were playing well, forechecking, creating chances. It's a very good lineup right now. I hope AV doesn't take the fluke loss too crazily and put Glass back in on Sunday.

you're looking at the roster hey're going to war with with the exception of Talbot of course.

We played really well last night. Just some bad luck and bad bounces against a really, really good team in their building. If we play like that every night we will win most games.

Islanders will get stud Dan Ellis between the pipes for Florida saturday night (if Ellis can make it through tonight's game unscathed).

Of course... they expect Luongo back next thursday which puts him on track to play at MSG on sunday 3/15. Shocker.

Nashville better take care of business tonight, and hopefully Ovechkin takes a seat with a "LBI" tonight against Minnesota.

Big win for the Avalanche last night over Pittsburgh... good to finally get some out-of-town help.

I thought we totally dominated play the first three periods. The third was a bit more even.

The refs were terrible last night. Weak calls against both teams and obvious ones missed. Officiating is a huge issue league-wide. It's fucking nauseating. I'm not upset about how the game ended - we nearly killed it off and bad calls happen (even though I initially thought it was a good call). Detroit capitalized on their gift PP, we didn't.

Brassard is doing a great job of replacing guys we lost last year - whining and diving for Callahan, stupid fucking penalties for Pouliot. I love how much he's stepped up for us this year, but his lack of discipline is fucking frustrating.

That Detroit plays a lot of clutch-and-grab, bog-it-down hockey. You'd think the refs would be on the lookout for obstruction/interference-type penalties when one of the teams has that kind of reputation, but apparently not.

with a grind it out win at the Verizon Center.

Now just need Nashville to stop playing like the 2015 Maple Leafs already.

Back and forth, just been a great year for hockey.

The league should rank by point percentage and not total points. It's a stupid way to do the mid-season standings (and is currently flattering to the Rangers, so we should use it).

Montreal lost in the shootout to the Kings last night. I think being first in the conference is much ore important than being first in the division, if we can win it.

The WC race is getting interesting in both conferences. The Kings are two points back with a game in hand but tied for third in their division while losing the tie breaker against Calgary.

Ottawa is five points back with a game in hand in the East, and have been playing great hockey lately (7-1-2, same record as NYR in the past ten).

In comment 12166077 The 12th Man said:

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Back and forth, just been a great year for hockey.

Actually, I think your guys have one more game before ours play again. We'll have 4 games in hand when the Rangers take the ice Sunday night.

In comment 12166238 BrettNYG10 said:

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The league should rank by point percentage and not total points. It's a stupid way to do the mid-season standings (and is currently flattering to the Rangers, so we should use it). Montreal lost in the shootout to the Kings last night. I think being first in the conference is much ore important than being first in the division, if we can win it. The WC race is getting interesting in both conferences. The Kings are two points back with a game in hand but tied for third in their division while losing the tie breaker against Calgary. Ottawa is five points back with a game in hand in the East, and have been playing great hockey lately (7-1-2, same record as NYR in the past ten).

Presidents' Trophy would be nice (we just missed one in 2012), but for whatever reason that seems to hurt a team's chances at the Cup. Being the #1 seed in the East would be great to ensure home-ice throughout the first three rounds.

Quote:

Presidents' Trophy would be nice (we just missed one in 2012), but for whatever reason that seems to hurt a team's chances at the Cup. Being the #1 seed in the East would be great to ensure home-ice throughout the first three rounds.

I remember a Bobby Nystrom interview a couple weeks ago where he was reflecting on one of his teams in the late 70s, and he said the team's obsession with winning the President's Trophy sorta burned them out and they flamed out in the playoffs. There's definitely some truth to the idea that the top record in the league can not only add extra unnecessary pressure, but can negatively impact a team's playoff chances if they gunned too hard for that top record.

In comment 12166503 Mike in Long Beach said:

Quote:

Quote: Presidents' Trophy would be nice (we just missed one in 2012), but for whatever reason that seems to hurt a team's chances at the Cup. Being the #1 seed in the East would be great to ensure home-ice throughout the first three rounds. I remember a Bobby Nystrom interview a couple weeks ago where he was reflecting on one of his teams in the late 70s, and he said the team's obsession with winning the President's Trophy sorta burned them out and they flamed out in the playoffs. There's definitely some truth to the idea that the top record in the league can not only add extra unnecessary pressure, but can negatively impact a team's playoff chances if they gunned too hard for that top record.

That's interesting, since the President's Trophy didn't exist in the '70s.

.

Only 8 of 28 President's Trophy winners went on to win the Cup.

In comment 12166526 Greg from LI said:

Quote:

In comment 12166503 Mike in Long Beach said: Quote: Quote: Presidents' Trophy would be nice (we just missed one in 2012), but for whatever reason that seems to hurt a team's chances at the Cup. Being the #1 seed in the East would be great to ensure home-ice throughout the first three rounds. I remember a Bobby Nystrom interview a couple weeks ago where he was reflecting on one of his teams in the late 70s, and he said the team's obsession with winning the President's Trophy sorta burned them out and they flamed out in the playoffs. There's definitely some truth to the idea that the top record in the league can not only add extra unnecessary pressure, but can negatively impact a team's playoff chances if they gunned too hard for that top record. That's interesting, since the President's Trophy didn't exist in the '70s.

He did discuss wanting the best record in 1979 and he did say at the end it hurt the team.

In comment 12166540 Greg from LI said:

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Only 8 of 28 President's Trophy winners went on to win the Cup.

That's about in line with the NFL, IIRC.

BTW, watching the Preds reminds me of the 2011-2012 Rangers where I never feel like they have a legitimate shot at the Cup. Of course, it's more likely that I'm right since I'm basically taking the field vs. an individual team, but they remain unimpressive to me each time I've watched them.

Rangers have the highest chance at winning the Cup (14.5%) and the Presidents' Trophy (21.2%). Next two closest teams for the Cup are TB (12.2%) and Nashville (10%).
SportsClubStats NHL - ( New Window )

Last year.

They must be giving us a 25-30% chance of winning the East, which is absurd.

No one's distanced themselves from the pack. There are a lot of teams playing really good hockey right now.

In comment 12166599 Greg from LI said:

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No one's distanced themselves from the pack. There are a lot of teams playing really good hockey right now.

I think the Rangers are the favorite at this point, though as you mentioned, that's by a slim margin.

In comment 12166556 BrettNYG10 said:

Quote:

BTW, watching the Preds reminds me of the 2011-2012 Rangers where I never feel like they have a legitimate shot at the Cup. Of course, it's more likely that I'm right since I'm basically taking the field vs. an individual team, but they remain unimpressive to me each time I've watched them.

They're a very unimpressive team. They're not particularly fast or physical. I don't think they have much of an identity. Don't get me wrong, they're good.. but I don't see them getting far at all in the playoffs. I would be willing to bet their playoff ceiling is the Conference Semi's.

Without knowing what Hank's situation is.

I'd rank them in three tiers, with only moderate differentiation between the tiers:

Tier 1:
NYR (Assuming Henrik has full health)
TB
DET


Tier 2:
NYI
MTL
WAS
PIT

Tier 3:
Whoever the fuck gets the WC spot (BOS for now)

And I'd make Tier 2 teams favorites in certain series' against Tier 1 teams depending on matchups.

The playoffs will be fun.

In comment 12166619 Greg from LI said:

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Without knowing what Hank's situation is.

Not saying you, but I think a lot of hockey fans are reading into the mystery surrounding his return too much. There is virtually no transparency in hockey. If he was out 4-6 weeks with a shoulder injury and there was no word on his return, everyone would be a lot calmer. The nature of this injury is troubling, but he's going to be fine.

From everything I've read, once the sprain heels, he's good to go. Because it's such a serious ramification if he reinjures it, he can't "play hurt." That's why it's going to take a bit longer. It has to be 100%... but it will eventually be 100% like any other sprain. At least that's how I've understood it.

I'm not particularly impressed with them, but as you said, depending on the match-up they could make it to the 2nd or 3rd round.

There aren't a lot of comparisons to view his situation against.

They have a superstar who can carry a team, and they have a goalie that has looked capable of getting very hot this season.

Tier 1
Rangers
Rangers

Tier 2
Islanders
Lightning
Habs
Pens

Tier 3
Capitals
Boston/Panthers/Flyers/Sens

I actually think the Rangers are in a class of their own at this point, not definitively, but distinctly ahead of the rest... only reason I include Detroit in Tier 1 is because they have the best coach in the National Hockey League for my money.

Any tier 2 team can beat any tier 1 team, and tiers are subject to change :)

Tier 1:
Rangers
***RED WINGS***

.

In comment 12166711 BrettNYG10 said:

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.

Can't say I didn't see that coming.
Can't say I wouldn't take the same shot.

I believe Hank said it wasn't even the puck hitting him that did the major damage, it was the whipping motion he made in response to the impact.

In any event, the recent news on him was encouraging. I think the Rangers are being as cautious with him as possible and really taking their time since we've been winning most nights anyway.

He had a heavy load last year because of Sochi and a SCF run. I think they want him to be as fresh as possible in addition to being 100% with his neck so that we can lean on him and make another run.

to get a decent number of tune-up games under his belt to knock off the rust.

In comment 12166717 Mike in Long Beach said:

Quote:

In comment 12166711 BrettNYG10 said: Quote: . Can't say I didn't see that coming. Can't say I wouldn't take the same shot.

It was a perfect tape-to-tape turnover.

In comment 12166727 Greg from LI said:

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to get a decent number of tune-up games under his belt to knock off the rust.

Even if he's not back for another 2 full weeks from now, he should be able to get ~10 games in. I think that's enough.

I'm hoping he plays March 21st against the Hurricanes (Callahan's birthday, iirc).

I'll let the team know that's my new expected date.

My professional estimation was 3/22 at home vs. Anaheim.

In comment 12166540 Greg from LI said:

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Only 8 of 28 President's Trophy winners went on to win the Cup.

I don't think you really thought about what this actually means. That's a 28% shot at winning the cup.

With 16 teams involved in the dance, with all things equal, each team has a 6.25% chance.

So according to your number, winning the Presidents Trophy is actually a big advantage.

In comment 12166667 NYerInMA said:

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I'm not particularly impressed with them, but as you said, depending on the match-up they could make it to the 2nd or 3rd round.

Caps are doing what they always do...getting cheap OT/SO points and Power Play goals. They aren't that good.

what I would give to have NYR in western playoffs this year. blues and wild are good. kings will be great once it matters but not even the kings could roll through this years east conference. might be 7 100-point east conference teams this year + oh yeah... Boston