than McD and Girardi. I think Staal is their best individual defender (not the best all-around defenseman, just the best in his own zone), and he's big enough that Ovechkin can't just overpower him.
RE: Lets Go Rangers! Kreider was a beast in Saturday. Loved the headlock
They have last chance now, so it's going to be harder to keep Boyle and Yandle away from their top line.
Boyle and Yandle shouldn't be a pair to begin with. I think AV & Ulf have done an awful job this series, and that three of the four Caps goals could be tied to them being outcoached.
And I agree about your comments regarding Staal - especially with McDonagh Rick Nashing it on defense this post-season.
Boyle has been paired with Staal generally, and Yandle with Klein, no?
I know Yandle/Boyle have wound up on the ice together but I didn't think they were designated as a pairing.
They were on the ice for the first goal in game two after taking the puck up the ice after a faceoff - both Yandle/Boyle made terrible plays on that goal.
But it was in the second game. I actually don't have a big problem with this provided that AV is slick enough to keep them away from the Ovie line, and after the first two games I can't say I have a lot of faith in that.
It's not the worst idea at home when you should presumably be able to keep them away from Ovi/Backstrom (even though AV still couldn't avoid it completely) but pairing them on the road is playing with fire.
... it's a fantastic day for a Stanley Cup hockey game and I can't wait for puck time. Hopefully Trotz will make great use of the line change advantage that home ice brings. Hope you all enjoy the game and that it's exciting and injury free. Hopefully the Caps have learned that the way to beat Henri is to shoot while falling forward on one knee and with no skates on the ice. Let's go Caps !!
Later.
they need to keep MSL-Brassard-Nash away from Ovie too
be in full effect tonight with their horns and bullshit queues to make noise and start chants with some of Ovechkin's ridiculous EDM horseshit pumped in prior to each faceoff. The Verizon Center is a fucking dump.
Lot of rumors going around, but I believe it's been confirmed he's done for this series. And I think he'd be a surprise if he came back at all this season.
Almost certainly won't see him this series and odds are probably against seeing him again in these playoffs unless he makes a really quick turnaround or we get back to the SCF.
Pretty clear that we have a depth advantage at forward (even without Zucc). We've dominated the puck for stretches (first period game 2 and at times in the third period). But they have the best player in the series and he's playing at a really high level.
Not saying anything earth shattering, but they clearly go as Ovechkin goes. There isn't much else there other than that top line. It's a really fucking good top line, but if it can somehow be shut down, we can win this in 5 or 6.
Kuznetsov is turning into a hell of a player. But I agree with your overall point; their bottom 6 depth really just isn't threatening.
Much like the Pens series, the top end talent advantage is on the other side but ours everywhere else. If we can keep Ovechkin/Backstrom from beating us, we'll win the series.
Ovechkin is clearly the most dominant player in hockey right now, and it isn't close. We've watched the Rangers play the Caps in the playoffs enough times in the past to see that he's playing at the absolute peak of his game right now as compared to past seasons, and he's much more dangerous at the moment than either Crosby or Malkin was in the first round. At the moment, he's terrifying.
Im not even getting upset with these Ovie goals. They're that impressive. It's like the NBA equivalent of "Dude is gonna get his, so stop someone else and win".
I was watching the game with about 5-6 friends and we just laughed when Ovi scored their 2nd goal. No one was even mad. That was just straight up dominant, unstoppable hockey on his end. The guy is far and away the most dominant player in the league right now. Just unbelievable.
Kuznetsov is turning into a hell of a player. But I agree with your overall point; their bottom 6 depth really just isn't threatening.
Much like the Pens series, the top end talent advantage is on the other side but ours everywhere else. If we can keep Ovechkin/Backstrom from beating us, we'll win the series.
Should be out of this in 6.
Yeah, Kuznetsov is good, the one guy that worries me outside of their top line.
I want the Rangers to win it all while Nash fails to score another goal.
Well we all want to win, but there is a strong correlation between your best players producing points... and actually winning.
It'd be like saying I'm fine with the Rangers winning and Hank giving up 3-4 goals a night. Could it happen over 4 grueling series? I guess, but not likely.
We went 13-12 in the postseason last year despite facing a backup goalie for 8 of those games. We need our star to play like a star - and yes, i realize how good Nash's game is away from the puck. I'm not saying trade the guy... but damnit he and Stepan will need to catch fire if we are going back to the Finals. Ovi has raised his game for them - we need to match it.
As for arc's earlier post -- first of all, pfft... "5 or 6 friends" ...yeah ok.
Second, as great as Ovi's goal was saturday, i should watch it again as I was at the game and didnt get to see the review, but didnt he deliver a flying elbow to Girardi down at their end about 5-10 seconds before that goal? Ovi - dont get me wrong if he wasnt playing us... i love this guy's game -- but IMO he gets away with some shit that should be a penalty.
Don't be jealous just because you're so short on friends you had to resort to asking Brett to sit with you at a game...
Bwahaha... well played, Sir. Truth is i was just looking to get some $$$ back for my seats from Brett though - think he would have noticed if i charged him 1.5x ?
Did you end up going to the game Saturday, brettsky?
to put miller with Nash and brassard. He has been creating chances think both he and Nash can compliment each other and get them both scoring
Personally I wouldnt touch that third line right now. They've been our best scoring threat line these playoffs it seems, at the very least this series so far.
Truth is Nash, Brassard and Stepan have been playing pretty well. MSL is dragging a lot of guys down right now - the Zuccs injury wouldnt kill so much if father time hadnt put a big giant sized fork on this guy's back this year.
I don't know think Stepan is playing that well, but agree with everything else you said.
I wonder if MSL is still suffering from effects due to the injury... Unlikely since he started playing like shit around game 50. Richards seems to be playing pretty well for CHI right now.
There's not much we can do about MSL's spot since Miller is really the only other guy you can put there and that 3rd line is humming as it is (though I think that has more to do with Hayes/Hagelin than anything else.. seems like no matter who has skated on that line with them, it has been our best line or close to it)
I think we just have to hope that Marty has one last push in him and can pick it up.
But he was a demon in game two. By far the best I've ever seen him play. He was playing at a high speed and hitting everything in sight.
Agreed 100%. I commented several times to the people I was watching with that I was really impressed with him, after having been decidedly unimpressed (right place at the right time for the goal notwithstanding) in game 1.
I kind of wanted to leave St.Louis right where he is
But they simply need to put more pucks in nets. Carrying the play, controlling the puck, those things are great and you'll have a better chance to win if they do them successfully, but when you're playing against a guy who is pretty much unstoppable right now, it only takes a few seconds to undo a well-played but scoreless period.
Your stars have to play like stars. Nash has to score,
The King has to be the King, Kreider has to be the Kreider we saw on Saturday every night, etc.
Ovechkin is playing like a star and carrying his team. When you only get 2 goals per game the other team's star can steal the series.I just heard Micheletti say that the Rangers have "more scoring depth". Where is it?
RE: Your stars have to play like stars. Nash has to score,
I just heard Micheletti say that the Rangers have "more scoring depth". Where is it?
We do have scoring depth - its why we made the Finals last year and why we're still alive with a Presidents Trophy this year.
Micheletti is right... but IMO its even more reason why our top guys should be scoring more. AV can afford to keep them fresher and there is less pressure on them to carry the load every night. We're all just waiting for Nash to explode - like Stamkos, how can he be so quiet year after year?? Makes no sense.
Also -- a lot of times we make the other goalie look great when really he was just OK. Game 1 Holtby (since we kept missing the freakin puck) or MAF for much of the Pens series too are examples. But game 2.... Holtby was tremendous - you have to tip your cap to the way he played. Rangers easily could have had 6 goals. (and if Hank isnt great too the game would have ended 6-4)
"but IMO its even more reason why our top guys should be scoring more. AV can afford to keep them fresher and there is less pressure on them to carry the load every night. We're all just waiting for Nash to explode - like Stamkos, how can he be so quiet year after year?? Makes no sense."
They also continue to make that one or tow extra passes. SHOOT THE PUCK! Get rebounds, score.
Scoring depth. We absolutely have it. We're all talking about how MSL looks done and even he still score 21 goals this year. Zuccarello is also a good example of depth when he's on the ice.
Nash doesn't have to be Ovechkin for the Rangers to win a Cup this year. And not for nothing but he's been our best point producer next to Brassard so far these playoffs. We'd all like to see him score a few more goals but if he continues to produce points, that's fine too.
Ovechkin is just on another level. It's unfair to expect that type of play from Nash.. he's not that type of player.
Scoring depth. We absolutely have it. We're all talking about how MSL looks done and even he still score 21 goals this year. Zuccarello is also a good example of depth when he's on the ice.
Nash doesn't have to be Ovechkin for the Rangers to win a Cup this year. And not for nothing but he's been our best point producer next to Brassard so far these playoffs. We'd all like to see him score a few more goals but if he continues to produce points, that's fine too.
Ovechkin is just on another level. It's unfair to expect that type of play from Nash.. he's not that type of player.
You're right, Nash is not Ovechkin and I don't expect to see that type of play from him, but is it unreasonable to expect Nash to score goals at 2/3 of his regular season pace? He averages .44 gpg in the regular season lifetime, just .13 gpg in the playoffs, 28% of his regular season pace. Mike Gartner was considered a playoff choker (unfairly in my opinion) and he scored at 72% of his regular season pace (.49 gpg reg season/.35 gpg playoffs)
Nash's lowest S% in the regular season is 9.8% - the only time he hasn't hit double digits. His career average is 12.5%. Yet in the post-season his average is 3.7% with a high of 7.7% with Columbus.
He's getting decent chances his post-season. I have a hard time criticizing anything than the stat sheet this year (again, unlike last year). Really frustrating.
...and 12 of the past 13 decided by one goal (and 14 of past 16) - the only that wasnt (Game 3 SCF) was the result of pucks off Quick's stick shaft while Hank had every unlucky bounce imaginable.
...and 12 of the past 13 decided by one goal (and 14 of past 16) - the only that wasnt (Game 3 SCF) was the result of pucks off Quick's stick shaft while Hank had every unlucky bounce imaginable.
It would be nice to have a little cushion for a change and not have to hang on for dear life at the end. That said, I'll take a win however they can get it.
If not all knowledgeable Ranger fans know that Nash is doing other things well and can't be judged strictly by the goal scoring. We all understand he brings other things to the table.
Like others have said, he is also our most talented goal scorer and it is not asking too much out of him to score an important goal at some point this playoffs (1 meaningless goal in 6 games). He is helping the team win in other ways, but being that we aren't scoring many goals to begin with, we NEED him to score at some point.
lines need to continue with the speed and pressure ... try to match the Kreider line against Ovi - and try to avoid having the Nash line out there with Ovi
Kreider and Miller need to finish their checks ... first period of game #2 proved that they can check and not take any penalties - and Ovechkin didn't do much when the Rangers were finishing their checks ... also helps that the two kid lines were spending most of their ice time in Washington's zone ... Nash/MSL can't Ovechkin score against them because I suspect Washington will try to match Ovechkin against the Nash line every chance they get.
I hope the Rangers will come out and dominate and win an "easy" one that doesn't involve a 1 goal lead with less than 20 seconds and a defensive zone faceoff (which we lose every time) followed by a barrage of shots and failed clearing attempts.
But it never happens and basically every game follows the same script.
So.. I am prepared to sweat out yet another 1 goal game. Hopefully we are on the winning end of it again.
Talking rangers with some homies at the bar. Fuck that Russian double. Fuck these Fairweather cap fans. Fuck hobo holtby. And thanks for the honey jack shot, randos at the bar.
LGR motherfuckers
Now THAT's what I'm talking about ... but they have to keep it up
I am so sick and tired of hearing what Nash does well. He is a good hockey player, who plays his ass off--nobody is disputing that. However, we pay him big money to put pucks in the back of the net. He averaged over a goal every other game and was dominant force in the regular season. We need that now, not only all his other intangibles (which are great). And, yes Brian Boyle was a little playoff machine.
RE: No goals, but the most dominant period by the Rangers so far
I don't know about that, but two things I will say. I am very glad about their effort level and it was the best period we had all playoffs playing the kind of game/style we want to play.
by far the better team so far in this game and we're down 1-0. Someone has to put the fucking puck in the net, enough is enough
I dont know what game you're watching. Every great scoring opp has been by Wash. TTruthfully, we havent come close. St. Louis still fanning and failing. Yandle not shooting the puck as usual and passing across the ice, throw in a few lousy outlets by McD and you have this.
This team is NOT winning the cup or this series for that matter playing like this. We are playimg soft....again.
by far the better team so far in this game and we're down 1-0. Someone has to put the fucking puck in the net, enough is enough
I dont know what game you're watching. Every great scoring opp has been by Wash. TTruthfully, we havent come close. St. Louis still fanning and failing. Yandle not shooting the puck as usual and passing across the ice, throw in a few lousy outlets by McD and you have this.
This team is NOT winning the cup or this series for that matter playing like this. We are playimg soft....again.
You're not even close to being right
what happened to us last game throwing pucks on net and crashing?
by far the better team so far in this game and we're down 1-0. Someone has to put the fucking puck in the net, enough is enough
I dont know what game you're watching. Every great scoring opp has been by Wash. TTruthfully, we havent come close. St. Louis still fanning and failing. Yandle not shooting the puck as usual and passing across the ice, throw in a few lousy outlets by McD and you have this.
This team is NOT winning the cup or this series for that matter playing like this. We are playimg soft....again.
You're not even close to being right
Lol ok Greg. Name the great scoring chance we had?
We are completely controlling this game. If your point is that they had better quality shots, maybe I can agree with that. We have not shot the puck well, but we have had some really good looks.
a great road game ... and I think MSL is having his best game of the series so far ... at least he's been around the puck and has been digging along the boards (more in the 1st than the 2nd) ... the part of Nash/MSL that scares me is when Ovi line gets possession in Rangers zone with Nash/MSL on the ice
were questionable calls, and a few shifts where they've had the Yandle and Boyle pairing pinned in, we've controlled the play. Just need to find a way or get a bounce like they did. It'd also be nice to know that the Caps can be whistled for a penalty somewhere along the line.
We are completely controlling this game. If your point is that they had better quality shots, maybe I can agree with that. We have not shot the puck well, but we have had some really good looks.
We have more possession but it yields to harmless shits at bad angles, lazy passes, making it easy for Holtby.
The 3rd line is playing poorly. They need to pick it up.
"playing well" but not scoring/finishing is that eventually we WILL start losing games and we WILL be out of the playoffs before you know it. You can only "play well" and not score for so long especially when you are a superstar. No one has stepped up offensively in the playoffs and its killing this team.
"Playing well" and not scoring means jack shit in the playoffs when the team isn't scoring and losing.
"playing well" but not scoring/finishing is that eventually we WILL start losing games and we WILL be out of the playoffs before you know it. You can only "play well" and not score for so long especially when you are a superstar. No one has stepped up offensively in the playoffs and its killing this team.
"Playing well" and not scoring means jack shit in the playoffs when the team isn't scoring and losing.
have controlled the puck ... I know we'd all love to see the Rangers scoring 3-4 goals a game, but this is the playoffs and the Rangers are playing a very good road game ... this game is far from over. Enjoy the 3rd guys.
with the back again. That's the second time he was cross checked and got up slowly.
Stop making excuses for him. He must have conveniently been hurt every year he has been in the playoffs since he has NEVER produced in the post season. Never.
with the back again. That's the second time he was cross checked and got up slowly.
Stop making excuses for him. He must have conveniently been hurt every year he has been in the playoffs since he has NEVER produced in the post season. Never.
The posters on this thread have to stop making excuses for this team. They look pathetic. And the pairing of Boyle and Yandle is just fucking illogical
Too fucking bad Lundqvist doesn't have a team in front of him tonight. Great effort and to think that some garbage self goal by Yandle is the difference between 1 and 0 is fucking annoying.
If they do, this narrative that you've spun is going to fall apart.
You're missing a pretty good game. The rangers aren't playing anywhere near the top end of their game, but they are getting the better of play. It's still possible to lose games when you do that.
or so it seems? I just noticed Yandle for the first time this period a minute ago.... he's played 12 minutes tonight. Nice fucking trade - maybe he's hurt.
Too fucking bad Lundqvist doesn't have a team in front of him tonight. Great effort and to think that some garbage self goal by Yandle is the difference between 1 and 0 is fucking annoying.
Yandle hasnt played well but that goal wasn't a result of poor play..he was right where he needed to be and puck just took a horribly unlucky bounce.
did the ref miss Boyle being put in a headlock for about 10 seconds.
When will you guys learn...they absolutely do not call penalties during the playoffs in the 3rd period especially when its a one goal game unless someone gets murdered. Its not even worth whining about.
In comment 12271232 arcarsenal said:
[quote] In comment 12271219 chopperhatch said:
Quote:
In comment 12271212 arcarsenal said:
Quote:
No offense, but you're literally unbearable right now. Take a xanax or something. It;s playoff hockey. This shit isn't going to be easy.
They look TERRIBLE arc! And what makes it worse is the confidence you guys have in them based on how theyve played this ENTIRE game!
They look AWFUL.
No. They don't. It's the playoffs and it's a tight game. Get a fucking grip. You're acting like a child throwing a tantrum. [/quote
Lol...they are CLEARLY the better team. Watch. We'll lose this and the next because of the soft and frantic style of play we have adopted all of a sudden.]
did the ref miss Boyle being put in a headlock for about 10 seconds.
When will you guys learn...they absolutely do not call penalties during the playoffs in the 3rd period especially when its a one goal game unless someone gets murdered. Its not even worth whining about.
I seem to remember the Rangers having to kill off a penalty with about 3 minutes to go against the Penguins up a goal. Can't remember which game.
Call what you see regardless of what the time is. A headlock for about 10 seconds is plenty long enough to blow your whistle.
What purpose does it serve to sit out the entire regular season then plant yourself in the post season threads and repeatedly post one negative comment after the other?
did the ref miss Boyle being put in a headlock for about 10 seconds.
When will you guys learn...they absolutely do not call penalties during the playoffs in the 3rd period especially when its a one goal game unless someone gets murdered. Its not even worth whining about.
I seem to remember the Rangers having to kill off a penalty with about 3 minutes to go against the Penguins up a goal. Can't remember which game.
Call what you see regardless of what the time is. A headlock for about 10 seconds is plenty long enough to blow your whistle.
I agree with you, but the NHL has made it clear they want the officials to swallow their whistles and not be factor.
RE: Certainly unlucky to lose this thing in regulation
one guy denies the breakout pass angle, everyone else race back. Concede the blue line, but clog the whole slot in transition.
Really impressive.
Trotz is my coach of the year and its not close. Washington was - take away all their overtime extra points last year - one of the worst 5 teams in hockey last year, and that was with Ovechkin and Holty healthy. He's been brilliant all year and he's putting on a coaching clinic this series too.
What purpose does it serve to sit out the entire regular season then plant yourself in the post season threads and repeatedly post one negative comment after the other?
What purpose does it serve to sit out the entire regular season then plant yourself in the post season threads and repeatedly post one negative comment after the other?
I posted on reg season threads. The ones i didnt were because the game was not shown.
Fact: i have been in love with this team's style since last year when eveverybody was saying "they're not as fast as Pitt, not big enoygh to beat Boston"...that whole time I believed in this team.
Also Fact: they have not played like that at all this postseason. Believe what you want. Ive watched all the games Ive could.
bigbluehoya, I shshouldnt have responded that way and I apologize. I dont like being called a bitch, but I shouldnt have responded that way.
There is 0 reason Boyle should be on the ice in a critical situation. Case in point, he gets the puck with 10 sexonds left and weakly slaps the puck towards the net.
AV has GOT to make an adjustment. Open things up and trust the goalie. I just worry that with the SCF run followed by the Presidents Trophy that we're running out of legs.
The Caps have scored two fluke goals, two sick Ovie goals, and one regular goal.
We have the best goalie and they've won by a nice bounce while we have controlled the puck.
I want to think its stuff like this which will bring us to win a series as it plays out.
have to find a way to start putting pucks in the net. They aren't particularly close right now IMO. AV has been badly outcoached this series, and needs to find a way.
I'm sorry, I dont buy that. You don't outplay someone and lose. Playing well means scoring and converting on your chances. Its the fucking playoffs, not mid January. The better team wins and good teams score in the playoffs.
we lose 1 zip ... Sure, disappointing as hell but I thought we played a good road game and with any puck luck could have been a different story. Just have to regroup and get the next one to make it a best of 3 series.
it wasn't by a huge margin. And the playoffs aren't kind to teams in the middle of a rut. A rut means your out. Regression to the mean happens over the sort of time span we don't have right now.
Stl and Boyle are not quick enough to play against a physical team like the Caps.
MSL is struggling but still a major part of this team.
Agreed on Hunwick for Boyle but will never happen. The sad thing is I distinctly remember AV saying after the Kings loss this team needed to get younger and faster - so what does Sather do? He brings in Boyle for Stralman and heavily relies on MSL.
Trotz is beating AV and that's why we're where we are at.
We gotta make adjustments and have to win Game 4. That's it.
Now ur seeing it my way. But the thing is, his changes are not going to affect the types of chances we get. We are waiting for everybody to get set up on D and shootng the puck into two or three D men.
Also faceoffs: 40-18 Caps.
Game was exciting but ultmately they were far better than us.
AV, we got the exact game we wanted to play. Is it Av's fault that these guys can't shoot straight? We lost faceoffs and and didn't shoot well, besides that we did everything possibly right to win this hockey game. We have lost two games where we are the better team because our shooting has been awful. Besides the save on Hayes in the third, did we really test Holtby once tonight in 30 shots?
Fact remains the Rangers only need to win 1 in Washington
... I'm not happy about the loss ... I'm especially not happy about Miller because, with Nash/MSL not playing well, it's critical that the 3rd line plays great ... Hayes had a great 3rd period, but that line has to play a full 60 minutes (and Miller plays best when he's playing the body - it gets him energized and he was Casper the Ghost out there tonight)
But - with all that - Washington didn't exactly blow me away tonight either ... and this was their home game ... I expected them to play much better than they did ... they got one lucky bounce and it was the difference, but they otherwise didn't exactly play overwhelmingly
This is still a series .... NYR win Wed and the series is once again tilted to the Rangers
it wasn't by a huge margin. And the playoffs aren't kind to teams in the middle of a rut. A rut means your out. Regression to the mean happens over the sort of time span we don't have right now.
Stl and Boyle are not quick enough to play against a physical team like the Caps.
Agreed! We flung a bunch of shots on goal, but they were easily controlled by Holtby
It's hard to just throw a kid into the fire like that.
MSL and Boyle aren't sitting at this point. Boyle would be realistic to sit because Hunwick is capable but as much as I like Lindberg, there's a 0% chance he's taking MSL's spot.
I didn't even think Marty was that bad tonight, honestly.
We had 36 scoring chances to their 19. They got the bounce they needed and we didn't. That was the difference.
It's the playoffs, there's no such thing as a smooth ride to a Cup. There's going to be turbulence and this team is going to have its resolve tested. Now it's time to respond and make adjustments and win Game 4.
We'll be fine. Tough, shitty loss.. but it's only one loss. We have to beat them 3 times before they beat us twice. That's it.
The Capitals are trash and throw four guys in front of the mulleted garbage can yet Nash and the rest of the idiots just shoot the puck right into his chest or glove.
My ejaculation when watching fat porn is faster than these guys. Speed, my wrinkled star.
And at what point is Scotty nogoalsandneverexpectgoalseverbevausetheppsucksdick Arniel going to be called the fuck out for the continued failure that is the Rangers power play?
1-0? Tonight was a joke.
Oh and hey Nash. How about stop shooting the puck from the boards into Holtbys sizzle chest.
No one remembers or cares about your regular season goal total, pal.
RE: Fact remains the Rangers only need to win 1 in Washington
... I'm not happy about the loss ... I'm especially not happy about Miller because, with Nash/MSL not playing well, it's critical that the 3rd line plays great ...
Something is very wrong when you are blaming JT Miller who has been here about half a season... instead of the stars who for a second year in a row just don't put a fucking puck in the net.
Nash I think is now at 6 goals in 50 games. It's absolutely fucking pathetic. And yes I know he plays well away from the puck - so did Brian Boyle. JFC.
Rangers were the better team, they just couldn't get any good shots it seemed. Did Holtby make one good save? Easiest shutout ever. And the goal that they scored... Ugh!! My prediction of rangers in six still stands though and I'm sticking by it!
Trotz is beating AV and that's why we're where we are at.
We gotta make adjustments and have to win Game 4. That's it.
Now ur seeing it my way. But the thing is, his changes are not going to affect the types of chances we get. We are waiting for everybody to get set up on D and shootng the puck into two or three D men.
Also faceoffs: 40-18 Caps.
Game was exciting but ultmately they were far better than us.
Faceoffs have been an issue but "far better"? Completely inaccurate.
Rangers were the better team, they just couldn't get any good shots it seemed. Did Holtby make one good save? Easiest shutout ever.
So how were the Rangers the better team if Holtby had an easy night? The game I watched was even - Rangers played a decent road game I guess, but the Caps got the breaks and now its a Must win on the road in game 4. Not good.
MSL and Boyle aren't sitting at this point. Boyle would be realistic to sit because Hunwick is capable but as much as I like Lindberg, there's a 0% chance he's taking MSL's spot.
I didn't even think Marty was that bad tonight, honestly.
We had 36 scoring chances to their 19. They got the bounce they needed and we didn't. That was the difference.
It's the playoffs, there's no such thing as a smooth ride to a Cup. There's going to be turbulence and this team is going to have its resolve tested. Now it's time to respond and make adjustments and win Game 4.
We'll be fine. Tough, shitty loss.. but it's only one loss. We have to beat them 3 times before they beat us twice. That's it.
But see thats the thing, Boyle looks ok as an offensive d man. But when hes paired with another O D man it just looks bad.
Id actially rather Hunwick for Yandle but theyll never do that given what they gave up for him.
RE: RE: Fact remains the Rangers only need to win 1 in Washington
... I'm not happy about the loss ... I'm especially not happy about Miller because, with Nash/MSL not playing well, it's critical that the 3rd line plays great ...
Something is very wrong when you are blaming JT Miller who has been here about half a season... instead of the stars who for a second year in a row just don't put a fucking puck in the net.
Nash I think is now at 6 goals in 50 games. It's absolutely fucking pathetic. And yes I know he plays well away from the puck - so did Brian Boyle. JFC.
I'm not blaming Miller. Not at all. He's a kid. I'm just saying what I want to see from him and what will make a difference in the outcome. I pick on Miller because I happen to believe he is a difference maker - whereas I have very little faith that Nash or MSL have the ability to bring energy to the game (MSL is too old, and that isn't Nash's game) ... and I also don't think Nash or MSL are going to be the difference makers in these playoffs - but I do think the two kid lines can be. Need to be.
Keith Yandle did,a nice job deflecting that one in off his skate. Oh shit, it was against the wrong goalie. Yandle did not p,at very well either. As a matter of fact he had a horrible game.
Henrik and the D do their job yet no one can bury the fucking biscuit
Infuriating
Its going to keep happening when your stars dont show up. Look around the league at the teams who are winning, their superstars play like superstars.
Take a look at the top of the playoff stats...Perry, Tyler Johnson, Kane, Keith, Getzlaf, Toews, Parisie, OV. 1-8 all super stars carrying their teams like they should and shockingly, they are all winning.
As for Nash, he is currently #43 and falling on the points list and #77 in goals. Absolutely pathetic and disgraceful.
Rangers were the better team, they just couldn't get any good shots it seemed. Did Holtby make one good save? Easiest shutout ever.
So how were the Rangers the better team if Holtby had an easy night? The game I watched was even - Rangers played a decent road game I guess, but the Caps got the breaks and now its a Must win on the road in game 4. Not good.
THANK YOU! Rangers had possessn adv, but they came close to scoring a goal TWICE.
they seemed to have the cycle working well, the puck felt like it was in the offensive zone a lot more tonight, they did a fantastic job defensively with forwards making huge plays on the back check. They did everything but finish. It's not the first time they have played this way.
The window is closing? Lol - good lord dude. Get a grip
Correct, we have a 2-3 year shot at this. This is year 1. You don't get to mortgage the future every year for 3 years now like Sather has (which coincides with his personal planned retirement) and expect to compete for a cup forever. In fairness, this team hasn't had a high draft pick since 2005 now so its bound to come to an end soon eventually.
Have to take advantage of these opportunities God-damnit. Especially with a 16 team conference they don't come easily. Team is built to win now and one Zucc injury shouldn't destroy that.
We've been through this before, guys. We'll win on Wednesday night and it'll be knotted up again going back to MSG.
This team looked fucking dead in the water in this same round last year and were in an even bigger hole than this. Don't make the same mistake of writing them off. I'll believe we're done when we're out. We're not close to done.
Take a look at the top of the playoff stats...Perry, Tyler Johnson, Kane, Keith, Getzlaf, Toews, Parisie, OV. 1-8 all super stars carrying their teams like they should and shockingly, they are all winning.
In my book, Kreider is this team's superstar and future. Problem is, he was the only Ranger who played a full 60 minutes tonight. But Kreider/Hayes/Fast/Miller/Stepan/Hagland - those are the core guys on this team. They are the heart and soul of the team. The energy guys. And they are the ones who will either win or lose this series.
but those guys aren't winning you championships. Other teams have a better core than that. They just do and its not a knock on our guys - other teams have been picking ahead in the draft of us for a decade now.
Nash, Brassard and Stepan have to lead the scoring out there. The other guys are good enough to help out more than other teams can get secondary scoring help - and we have two 'offensive' defensemen that aren't supposed to suck this bad,.... but bottom line is Nash especially has to step it the fuck up and carry this team. Enough already.
Take a look at the top of the playoff stats...Perry, Tyler Johnson, Kane, Keith, Getzlaf, Toews, Parisie, OV. 1-8 all super stars carrying their teams like they should and shockingly, they are all winning.
In my book, Kreider is this team's superstar and future. Problem is, he was the only Ranger who played a full 60 minutes tonight. But Kreider/Hayes/Fast/Miller/Stepan/Hagland - those are the core guys on this team. They are the heart and soul of the team. The energy guys. And they are the ones who will either win or lose this series.
I agree with everything but Kreider is the star of the future, this is Rick Nash's team right now. He is paid like a superstar but plays like marginal 4th liner in the playoffs. You dont win a series, let alone a Cup like that unfortunately.
but those guys aren't winning you championships. Other teams have a better core than that. They just do and its not a knock on our guys - other teams have been picking ahead in the draft of us for a decade now.
Nash, Brassard and Stepan have to lead the scoring out there. The other guys are good enough to help out more than other teams can get secondary scoring help - and we have two 'offensive' defensemen that aren't supposed to suck this bad,.... but bottom line is Nash especially has to step it the fuck up and carry this team. Enough already.
I get it. But that's not going to happen. He dropped off the scoring race with 15-20 games to go and hasn't been the same since. And that isn't going to change. He's one of those guys who disappears in the playoffs and has to help his team in other ways (and he's playing with great effort).
He may score 1-2 but he's just not going to dominate. I have a lot more faith in Kreider/Stepan/Fast/Miller/Hayes/Hagland.
You guys are going to be disappointed if you keep waiting for Nash..
Yup. Agree. And I don't think that means the Rangers can't win the Cup. They have a great goalie. A great defense. And a bunch of kids with great speed, energy, and talent.
bigbluehoya, I shshouldnt have responded that way and I apologize. I dont like being called a bitch, but I shouldnt have responded that way.
All good, man. I shouldn't have started the name calling.
I still think your take on the game was unduly negative from a ridiculously early point in the game
Frustrating loss.
At this point, I can't entertain any thoughts of retaining MSL at any price next year.
some of the fans around here really need to nut up. We're down 2-1 on some highly fluky bullshit goals. Down 2-1 nonetheless, but this is fucking playoff hockey.
Nobody needed 15 goals out of the guy (eg Gaborik last year... FML) - but you absolutely have to have 10-12 in 25 games. Or a ~40 regular season pace.
Instead he's delivered 4 in 33 for us over the last 2 years. You aren't sniffing a cup with that. I feel terrible for Hank. He deserves better than what we give him offensively year after year.
I'd like Nash to score maybe another goal before I even considered him as one to "carry" this team. We were all looking at the positive impact when he scored in garbage time vs Pittsburgh, to show, that he could... score
Nobody needed 15 goals out of the guy (eg Gaborik last year... FML) - but you absolutely have to have 10-12 in 25 games. Or a ~40 regular season pace.
Instead he's delivered 4 in 33 for us over the last 2 years. You aren't sniffing a cup with that. I feel terrible for Hank. He deserves better than what we give him offensively year after year.
Agreed. Without a dominate scorer you aren't going to win the cup. Its that simple. You need at least one scorer to get hot, plus secondary scoring, and good goaltending.
Nobody needed 15 goals out of the guy (eg Gaborik last year... FML) - but you absolutely have to have 10-12 in 25 games. Or a ~40 regular season pace.
Instead he's delivered 4 in 33 for us over the last 2 years. You aren't sniffing a cup with that. I feel terrible for Hank. He deserves better than what we give him offensively year after year.
And, while Nash clearly hasn't produced, I do think he is hamstrung right now with MSL replacing Zucc ... MSL's legs are dead. Zucc's passing and playmaking was magic. Who knows what Nash would be doing if Zucc was in the lineup. His absence is just huge. I think AV will shake up the lines for Wed night. We'll see. It's still a series because, for all that Nash and MSL didn't do tonight, the Capitals sure as fuck didn't win tonight's game. For a home team, they were pretty pathetic and lucky they weren't behind a few goals after the first. And they never did score but for a bounce off two skates/legs.
We could have won it last year without him scoring.
We were a few bounces and a missed goalie interference call away from that entire series going the other way.
The Rangers of two years ago were entirely reliant on Rick Nash to score.. which is why we were eliminated so quickly when he didn't.
This incarnation has been getting contributions from all over the lineup all year. We'd all like the guy to score 10-12 goals in these playoffs and it would sure make the road easier but it's probably not happening.
Losing Zuccarello does hurt a lot because he's a major cog but I'm not convinced they can't score enough to win a Cup as constructed.
McDonagh making multiple mental mistakes on the PP was almost impossible to believe. I barely trust Yandle at all with the puck right now and Boyle/MSL just... I don't even know what to say about them.
Maybe I'm in a bad mood, but I thought the team played like shit tonight. They barely had any real scoring chances. I don't recall seeing as many guys completely unaccounted for in the defensive zone as I saw in the 2nd period. Caps were just chilling in front of Hank waiting for the puck.
All that being said, they lost on a bullshit goal.
well there are a couple of guys capable of getting hot and
carrying this team. Unfortunately Zuccs was a guy that could help enable one of them - be it Nash, Stepan or Brassard.
End of the day I don't care which of those guys gets hot - but one has to or we're home celebrating our useless Presidents Cup by Sunday night.
You cant rely on kids like Miller or Hayes to get us to Tampa. The guys in their prime need to elevate their play significantly.
And AV needs to step it the fuck up too - you cant be serious with this playoff performance so far. The guy is still known as a regular season coach - 3 Presidents Cups in 5 years - how about something to show for it, AV.
We were a few bounces and a missed goalie interference call away from that entire series going the other way.
The Rangers of two years ago were entirely reliant on Rick Nash to score.. which is why we were eliminated so quickly when he didn't.
This incarnation has been getting contributions from all over the lineup all year. We'd all like the guy to score 10-12 goals in these playoffs and it would sure make the road easier but it's probably not happening.
Losing Zuccarello does hurt a lot because he's a major cog but I'm not convinced they can't score enough to win a Cup as constructed.
Honestly I think its a BBI myth how "close" we were to winning a Cup. We talk about that Kings series the way Penguins fans talk about our first round series with us this year. All those games were 'close' too. I'd feel better about that LA series if they didn't tilt the ice on us pretty much every game but game 5.
RE: You guys are going to be disappointed if you keep waiting for Nash..
I am not looking to for him to "carry" us, but I am looking for him to be the same player he was in the regular season. He is a star, not a superstar, and I don't expect him to be a superstar,. I expect him to be the star that he is.
bigbluehoya, I shshouldnt have responded that way and I apologize. I dont like being called a bitch, but I shouldnt have responded that way.
All good, man. I shouldn't have started the name calling.
I still think your take on the game was unduly negative from a ridiculously early point in the game
Frustrating loss.
At this point, I can't entertain any thoughts of retaining MSL at any price next year.
some of the fans around here really need to nut up. We're down 2-1 on some highly fluky bullshit goals. Down 2-1 nonetheless, but this is fucking playoff hockey.
We've still got this shit.
Glad you responded. I am going in next game expecting us to come out wiyh vigor and getting after Holtby. But it hasnt happened yet. You have three guys playing a VERY soft game in Yandle, Boyle and StL...4th if you include Stepan. But when I see a team flinging blind passrs in the offensivee zone and shooting ssoft wristers at the goalie with nobody screening and nobody crashing the net, the writing is on the wall.
Something better change sokn, otherwise we're done before the weekend. Thats not doom and gloom. This Caps team is too scary to play like AV's old Canuck teams.
We were a few bounces and a missed goalie interference call away from that entire series going the other way.
The Rangers of two years ago were entirely reliant on Rick Nash to score.. which is why we were eliminated so quickly when he didn't.
This incarnation has been getting contributions from all over the lineup all year. We'd all like the guy to score 10-12 goals in these playoffs and it would sure make the road easier but it's probably not happening.
Losing Zuccarello does hurt a lot because he's a major cog but I'm not convinced they can't score enough to win a Cup as constructed.
Honestly I think its a BBI myth how "close" we were to winning a Cup. We talk about that Kings series the way Penguins fans talk about our first round series with us this year. All those games were 'close' too. I'd feel better about that LA series if they didn't tilt the ice on us pretty much every game but game 5.
Did the Pens have two goal leads in two of the games they lost?
had a donut in that series. Maybe if he wasn't so impotent out there we win a few more games.
Whatever - last season is over with. We beat a backup goalie in the ECF to get to the Finals where we were expunged in 5. It's not a blueprint to winning without your star player.
You win games when your stars play like stars. Which is what Ovechkin is doing for the Caps right now. Kane does every year. Etc.
Meh... fuckin win Wednesday. I'm sick of the shitty performances this postseason. We haven't looked right yet in 8 games now, even with Zucc.
McDonagh making multiple mental mistakes on the PP was almost impossible to believe. I barely trust Yandle at all with the puck right now and Boyle/MSL just... I don't even know what to say about them.
Maybe I'm in a bad mood, but I thought the team played like shit tonight. They barely had any real scoring chances. I don't recall seeing as many guys completely unaccounted for in the defensive zone as I saw in the 2nd period. Caps were just chilling in front of Hank waiting for the puck.
All that being said, they lost on a bullshit goal.
No dude...I totlly agree with you. And it was infuriating to watch because I know what theyre capable of.
That series was much closer than the 4-1 indicated.
Those OT games could have easily gone the other way. But that's hockey.. they didn't and we lost. Regardless, I still think we could have won it if a few bounces had gone in the other direction even without an increased scoring output from Nash.
In any event. Too much sky is falling mentality around here tonight. We're down 2-1 in a 7 game series. Hardly insurmountable.
Let's move on and win on Wednesday.
RE: RE: RE: We could have won it last year without him scoring.
Did the Pens have two goal leads in two of the games they lost?
LMAO. Really? That's what you're hanging your hat on. We got beaten fairly easily by LA, sorry - even Doughty said it was the easiest series they played of all 4 of them (in fairness all their others were a physical 7 games)
In comment 12271392 MetsAreBack said:
[quote] had a donut in that series. Maybe if he wasn't so impotent out there we win a few more games.
Whatever - last season is over with. We beat a backup goalie in the ECF to get to the Finals where we were expunged in 5. It's not a blueprint to winning without your star player.
You win games when your stars play like stars. Which is what Ovechkin is doing for the Caps right now. Kane does every year. Etc.
Meh... fuckin win Wednesday. I'm sick of the shitty performances this postseason. We haven't looked right yet in 8 games now, even with Zucc. [/quote
need to move on. But there are no silver linings when you lose in 5 games. Just aren't.
Last year's miracle run was a 13-12 hockey team despite 8 games against backup goalies. Just stating facts -- we need our stars to play like stars or this team just ain't good enough.
(*nobody said it was easy... there are 30 teams, 25 of whom have good players who try really hard too)
RE: RE: RE: RE: We could have won it last year without him scoring.
Did the Pens have two goal leads in two of the games they lost?
LMAO. Really? That's what you're hanging your hat on. We got beaten fairly easily by LA, sorry - even Doughty said it was the easiest series they played of all 4 of them (in fairness all their others were a physical 7 games)
The only similarity between our series with the kings and the Pens series this year was that it lasted five games and two games went to OT.
the Penguins without half their D-Men kept every game to one goal while we lost Game 3 by three.
Look - last year was a hell of a ride, and the emotions of losing I wanted to believe we were a cunt-hair close too... but we lost in 5 to a team that was doubling our scoring chances pretty much every game. The only game we won we won because two goals were miraculously kept out by ice snow.
It was a good series - Hank was awesome except for game 2 - but we were beaten fairly soundly.
There is no dishonor in Losing a Finals to a really good Kings team. I would just be really disappointed if that was Hank's lone shot at a Cup. He fucking deserves a title more than any player I've ever seen in my lifetime (I wont argue the merits of Bourque, etc), but this team year after year doesn't score him goals Goddamnit.
had a donut in that series. Maybe if he wasn't so impotent out there we win a few more games.
Whatever - last season is over with. We beat a backup goalie in the ECF to get to the Finals where we were expunged in 5. It's not a blueprint to winning without your star player.
You win games when your stars play like stars. Which is what Ovechkin is doing for the Caps right now. Kane does every year. Etc.
Meh... fuckin win Wednesday. I'm sick of the shitty performances this postseason. We haven't looked right yet in 8 games now, even with Zucc.
Why do you feel the need to shit on what they were able to accomplish last year? That was a grat run and while it was frustrating we could finish it off, it was still a ton of fun. Maybe I'm way off base but it feels like I read this stuff from you a lot.
just hoping losing in 5 isn't this team's peak. I want Hank to look back on his career with a Cup. He goes down IMO as the all-time greatest NY Ranger if he gets that done.
Better than Richter at his craft and more longevity here than Messier. He deserves it and we are just as good as any team remaining, even without Zucc - just need some puck luck and some guys to step up, maybe start taking some chances, and to be better than the other guy.
Can't score goals. I started watching the Rangers to the point where I could remember individual seasons in 2005, Hank's rookie year, post lockout.
nearly never had a good PP.
Could nearly never score enough goals.
Always hit scoring droughts in the playoffs.
Reg season goal scorer disappearing during the playoffs (all the way back to Jagr getting hurt vs the Devils, whether by injury or otherwise).
Just watch, Hank will retire years from now, and no matter what happens (whether we can bring him a cup or not) the Rangers will be offensively gifted and totally handicapped by their goalie and defense immediately after, right after an era of being blessed with an amazing goalie and d corp for 20 fucking years.
it's either aimlessly pass around or aimlessly throw shit at the net (which I prefer to the former). No imagination, no feel for the game. And when they do get those chances, they just blow them. St Louis's pass directly into Holtby's chest was just painful.
I have an awful feeling about how this will end. I don't see us getting out of this round. Although part of me is saying that because I'm usually wrong, so I'm covering my ass. But now another part of me feels I just jinxed or reversed course by admitting that. This is the fucking problem with playoff hockey. Gotta turn the superstitious part of your brain off.
just hoping losing in 5 isn't this team's peak. I want Hank to look back on his career with a Cup. He goes down IMO as the all-time greatest NY Ranger if he gets that done.
Better than Richter at his craft and more longevity here than Messier. He deserves it and we are just as good as any team remaining, even without Zucc - just need some puck luck and some guys to step up, maybe start taking some chances, and to be better than the other guy.
I agree, I want it badly for Hank. He deserves better than the goal scoring he's gotten through the years.
is this season we finally had a top offense. 3rd in the league in scoring. The first time we've ever had a top 10 goal scoring offense during Hank's career. We had/have true scoring depth. And yet, we're still seeing the familiar pattern in the playoffs with the offense.
is this season we finally had a top offense. 3rd in the league in scoring. The first time we've ever had a top 10 goal scoring offense during Hank's career. We had/have true scoring depth. And yet, we're still seeing the familiar pattern in the playoffs with the offense.
I agree and the more frustrating part is that our shooting efficiency in the regular season I think was tops in the league. In the playoffs it has been awful. Last night, besides faceoffs and shooting efficiency, we played the exact game we wanted to play and we played well. That is both frustrating and frightening.
I think we could win the next three games if we shoot the puck better. We have been the better team in the two games we lost, which is also very frustrating. This whole playoffs have been frustrating.
of the 2012 ECF, we won that game, but the Devils were the better team that game and in the first three games and were down 2-1. They won the next three against us. I am hoping we do the same.
I'm surprised we haven't had more success in transition. The Caps are sending two forecheckers in consistently. Really frustrating.
IMO, it's usually a long cross ice pass which leaves the winger one on two while skaing on the outside. They skate/fly around the outside and rarely penetrate the middle.
Wish they would just skate it up rather than the cross ice pass or dumping it in. It helps the defenders keep up too as they're miles behind the play.
They had better win tomorrow, because this team is not going to
The NHL is about your stars playing at a high level and producing in the playoffs. It Nash is "not that guy" to carry the team, then he can not be allowed to take up $7.8 million in cap space. His game degenerates into a perimeter player when the going gets tough. I respect his work ethic and professionalism, but but I really don't give a shit that he kills penalties and backchecks if he's not scoring. You can get guys to do that for 1/10 of his salary. Loved the hit on Wilson though.
Kevin Hayes was a beast last night. Great game in all 3 zones, created and had many chances, but again, nobody lights the lamp.
has anything to do with their breakout or manuvering through the neutral zone rather it has to do with getting pucks to the net with traffic in front once they've gained the zone. The Caps D have been doing a good job of keeping the area in front of Holtby clean enabling him to see the puck and when pucks do get by the defending winger up high there's invariably another Cap defender in the shooting lane.
There are those who disagree but I thought we carried the play last night and just didn't get a bounce or two. As far as Hank not getting to the post in time to prevent that puck from going in goes, Beagle's stick wasn't even close to being in position for a wrap around, it looked more like an inadvertant pass or loss of possession that made its way off of Yandle's skate and into the net. Yandle has rarely been in the proper position to make a play in any of the 3 zones. I too thought Boyle had a decent night, he was very active jumping into the play ...we all know how often he can be overwhelmed in the D zone but that's nothing new. I think we all know the pairing of the two is as scary as it gets when they're hemmed in their own zone.
I read that Lundqvist is the only goalie to play 100 playoff games and never win a Cup.
Not true. Curtis Joseph played in 133 playoff games. Andy Moog doesn't technically qualify because he has three rings, but he got them backing up Grant Fuhr. He didn't backstop a team to a Cup and he played over 100 playoff games. That was after maybe 5 minutes of searches on Hockey Reference. I'm sure there are more.
I read that Lundqvist is the only goalie to play 100 playoff games and never win a Cup.
Not true. Curtis Joseph played in 133 playoff games. Andy Moog doesn't technically qualify because he has three rings, but he got them backing up Grant Fuhr. He didn't backstop a team to a Cup and he played over 100 playoff games. That was after maybe 5 minutes of searches on Hockey Reference. I'm sure there are more.
According to Hockey Reference, only 20 guys have played 100+ NHL playoff games in net. Lundqvist and Joseph are the only two without a Stanley Cup, though your point about starter vs. backup is definitely relevant beyond the numbers. Link - ( New Window )
They carried the play for large parts of the game. They got out muscled in front of Holty for the most part, but they were a couple of flukey bounces from taking this game. Nash might not be scoring, but at least he is playing good hockey overall.
The sky is not falling.
hah....that's what I get for not refreshing before posting
I'm not looking to start the tiresome Callahan trade arguments again because Callahan was never going to be on the 2015 Rangers regardless, but they do miss him because he was the only garbageman they've had in recent years. That's the kind of guy they really could use now to pick up an ugly goal when they can't score the pretty goals.
Whatever. I can't believe people are panicking at a 1-2 deficit. They've lost one game because they inexplicably stopped playing with 5 seconds to go and another because of one fluke goal. I get that they're not scoring, and yes it's infuriating, and yes they have to do better, but this isn't anything like the 2013 series with Boston (to use the last series they were just flat out outclassed as an example). The Caps simply aren't anything special outside of Ovechkin. The Rangers will have every chance to win this. Whether or not they take it, who knows, but they're absolutely in it.
but its more general frustration with why this team is not scoring and, most nights, not generating high quality scoring chances either. Its not just this series, we lived it through that Penguins series.
I thought our best offensive game was game 2 on Saturday - we scored 3, if Holtby wasnt excellent could have had 6. Was hoping we'd build off that but we didnt.
Game 1 we had high quality chances too, but guys just couldnt put fucking wood on the puck for some reason. Last night was different - IMO Holtby didnt have to work nearly hard enough.
I'm not looking to start the tiresome Callahan trade arguments again because Callahan was never going to be on the 2015 Rangers regardless, but they do miss him because he was the only garbageman they've had in recent years. That's the kind of guy they really could use now to pick up an ugly goal when they can't score the pretty goals.
Whatever. I can't believe people are panicking at a 1-2 deficit. They've lost one game because they inexplicably stopped playing with 5 seconds to go and another because of one fluke goal. I get that they're not scoring, and yes it's infuriating, and yes they have to do better, but this isn't anything like the 2013 series with Boston (to use the last series they were just flat out outclassed as an example). The Caps simply aren't anything special outside of Ovechkin. The Rangers will have every chance to win this. Whether or not they take it, who knows, but they're absolutely in it.
called them out on it last night, said they were "too cute" and need to start "pile driving pucks" to the net.
and this is a fair criticism. They have a lot of guys who are unselfish and want to make plays. That's great, but someone's got to have an attitude that "I'm gonna be the guy who scores here".
Rangers had trouble scoring in the last series too
Truth be told with Nash mysteriously fizzling out after 3/4 of an MVP caliber season, we lack great finishers around the net.
MSL used to be one of those guys, but he isn't the same player of earlier in his career either. Stepan,Kreider,Brassard are all well rounded players but you wouldn't call any great goal scorers.
Does this mean we can't win the series? Absolutely not. But unless Nash magically regains his shooting touch of earlier in the season, we will likely have to squeak out low scoring wins throughout the rest of the playoff run. And judging by Nash's career playoff numbers, it don't look promising for him to do that.
This teams first priority in the off-season should be somehow landing a guy with great scoring ability.
For some reason, I'm way more negative with the Rangers than the Giants. Plus the two Superbowls took the sting out of a lot of Giants losses. Seeing them climb the mountaintop twice gives me something to take the edge off.
With the Rangers, I feel like they will always find a way to disappoint me in the end, the way I felt about the Giants pre-07.
But honestly, it's just a psychological thing, as I am usually wrong... Rangers win when I think they'll lose, and lose when I think they win, so I set myself up for a loss and hope for the best so I don't get too disappointed in the end. Sorry for going all StealingSociety on you guys (remember him? Fuck that dude).
Before my time - was it as bad as the goddamned Ron Francis goal in 1992 that still haunts my memories after 23 years?
From purely a goaltending standpoint yes, further away. From a personal standpoint, no, the Francis goal was a killer. Turned that whole series around. They were about to go home up 3-1 before that fiasco despite the Lemieux Academy Award performance that led to Graves suspension.
I mean, the 1994 Rangers barely squeaked by a mediocre Vancouver team to win that one, and good lord, look at the kind of talent that team had. Messier, one of the greatest to ever lace up skates. Brian Leetch at his peak. A perennial All Star at 2C in Steve Larmer. A budding All-Star in Zubov. One of the most talented Rangers ever in Kovalev. A tough as nails garbage guy who had a 50 goal season that year in Graves. If this team could add any of those guys they'd be so much better....and yet that team almost didn't even make it to the Final.
McD winding up not pulling the trigger with his momentum
moving toward the net and not far from the top of the faceoff circle with no one close to him was unforgiveable. Instead he chose to throw a pass down low to a winger who had his back to McD as he was doing the right thing by going to the net. That play exemplifies much of what we've been witnessing.
Always had sympathy for Stealing Society, he was/is one deeply tormented dude.
Sonic, if you are old enough to remember, that has been the Rangers history. '71, beat the defending champion Bruins, lose to the Blackhawks in 7 in the semi finals. '72, Ratelle breaks his ankle,lose in the Finals to Boston, '73, beat Boston, lose to Chicago again, '74 lose to the Flyers in 7 in the semis, it goes on and on. JP PArise, Mikko Leninen whiffing on the winner against the Fishsticks, Ron Francis.
But he was an overage player in the WHL. Hard to get too excited about his numbers given that. I'd wait and see what he does in Hartford next year before projecting much from him.
I say this once a year, but fuck the Rangers' luck. Not just for the key injuries that happen every damn year around playoff time, but because Cherepanov was going to be that guy for them. That kid had true superstar potential.
Every single team in the NHL is looking to add a guy with "great scoring ability"
Easier said than done. And there's a salary cap.
Hopefully we see Buchnevich next season rather than the 2016-17 season.
I get it. But while many teams have other holes we have the rest. Great coach/system, goaltending, strong defense, speed to burn etc.
Teams that close to winning a cup are usually more aggressive finding that final piece.
Well, that's kind of how it goes.. it's nearly impossible to build the perfect/complete team. A lot of teams with an elite scorer are pining for help in net or on the blue line or don't have depth. The Rangers are pretty close to being a complete team. They're as close as I've seen since '94.
This team is good enough to win a Cup this year but as Greg said, it's really really fucking hard to do even with a really good team. It's a gauntlet and so many factors come into play.
And in 1996 when the disasterous trade with the Kings sent the team into a tailspin late in the year. IIRC, the Penguins scored a goal in that series that deflected off Beukeboom's face, which I've never seen before or since.
Effort isn't his problem. His problem is that he's small and slow, and his superior puck skills and shot have deteriorated with age. I do feel for him because the guy clearly is giving it max effort, but he just isn't particularly good anymore. Same thing with Marty. Getting old is a bitch.
I keep trying to give Yandle a pass because the guy is an excellent skater and a really good passer but it's hard to justify what we traded away for him given what the return has been thus far.
I have a hard time believing we wouldn't still be in the playoffs now if we had John Moore or Hunwick getting those minutes.
I hated the Yandle trade the moment it was announced
And after I bitched about it for the first few days, I tried to shut up and give him a chance to make me change my mind.....but I hate it more now that I did at the deadline. He's giving them nothing on offense and his defense is a joke.
Which I think puts them below a couple teams who have already been eliminated. It's the same crap every year. They have a world-class goalie and a great defense, but the offense always flames out in the playoffs. Nash was a superstar in the regular season, but can't light the lamp in the playoffs. Gaborik was the same way, so was Jagr. I know the games get tighter and the opposing defenses get better, but I still think there's more to the offensive evaporation. Chicago has 27 goals to the Rangers' 15 and they've played the same number of games. The Rangers have fewer goals than a team that's been eliminated already (Nashville, 21).
and I honestly think the MSL trade was awful as well.
There was no need to throw that 2nd first in. Cally is better than MSL. The writing was on the wall with a 37 year old tiny player, no matter how good of a season he was having. I wish the conditional first was the only first in the deal, but the fact that it was 2 first rounders was a joke.
And the Yandle trade is shaping up to be a bag of shit also. We have given up 4 first round picks in order to make the team worse. If you replaced MSL with Cally, we'd be a better team. I get that we saved money and got something for Cally, so I would be down with a MSL for Cally trade, but man it would have been much better if we traded Cally for prospects or at least someone younger if we were going to give up 1 first rounders.
Side note: does anyone else think the Rangers would have at least made the finals in 2011 if Phaneuf doesn't level Sauer and end his career? Michael Sauer would really be a welcome addition to this team.
Side note #2: Does McIlrath really suck that badly? How did Sather blow that pick so badly?
He was the only one of their defenseman who was a really physical thumper. They miss that.
I don't think McIlrath sucks, but he's limited by his skating and he isn't really suited for the style Vigneault wants to play. He also missed a year of development with his knee injury.
with whom I've been going back and forth with on Boyle's ineffectiveness but this goes back to earlier in the season. He likes Boyle and thinks he plays the right way in this system but I've had a hard time overlooking his many inadequacies in the defensive zone, not to mention the reason he was brought here which was to QB the PP, and we all know that hasn't materialized. At any rate, in the immediate aftermath of the Yandle trade he said to me something to the effect of, if you think Boyle is horrible in his own end and is a turnover machine, wait til you get a load of Yandle. Needless to say, I had no idea it could be this bad but being that he's watched an awful lot of Yandle over the years, he was sadly right on the money.
with whom I've been going back and forth with on Boyle's ineffectiveness but this goes back to earlier in the season.
At any rate, in the immediate aftermath of the Yandle trade he said to me something to the effect of, if you think Boyle is horrible in his own end and is a turnover machine, wait til you get a load of Yandle. Needless to say, I had no idea it could be this bad but being that he's watched an awful lot of Yandle over the years, he was sadly right on the money.
Boyle was a disaster in the playoffs last year in San Jose while the pretty skating Yandle has his peaks and valleys.
The team should have kept Stralman and Boyle rather than another old guy and losing DuClair and a #1 pick for Yandle.
is strictly based on offense. The defensive lapses are acceptable if they are helping the team score. Henrik and the rest of the team can cover the defensive issues, but if they're not contributing on offense they are a waste of roster spots. In this series, the Caps have two spectacular goals by Ovechkin, a goal by Ward due to a collective brain fart by the non-dazed Rangers on the ice, and a bad luck double deflection off a skate. That is acceptable defense for any playoff series if the offense is contributing.
He was the only one of their defenseman who was a really physical thumper. They miss that.
I don't think McIlrath sucks, but he's limited by his skating and he isn't really suited for the style Vigneault wants to play. He also missed a year of development with his knee injury.
Agreed, Sauer had a combination of size with a natural physical side and he could skate ...that was a massive loss. He would have solidified the backline 2nd or 3rd pairing big time.
And in 1996 when the disasterous trade with the Kings sent the team into a tailspin late in the year. IIRC, the Penguins scored a goal in that series that deflected off Beukeboom's face, which I've never seen before or since.
Yep. You could go on and on. Trading Mattias Norstrom and ending up with Marty fucking McSorley. The Bobby Carpenter trade, the Espo/Vadnais for Ratelle/Park trade. Trading Sergei Zubov for Ulf Samuelsson instead of getting Samuelsson to play WITH Zubov. Their power play has been in steady decline since. Breaking off talks to get Jagr in 2000 and signing Lindros instead. UGH
While Boyle and Yandle are defensive liabilities, it is our offense that is sinking us again. You can't win if you don't score, we scored 4 goals in three games. Our defense has been more than adequate this series. We need to find the back of the net and we will win this series.
The idea that Keith Yandle is the difference maker is a joke
Greg from LI : 3/1/2015 8:24 pm : link
.
Quote:
he's sure as hell not fast
Greg from LI : 3/1/2015 7:49 pm : link
Average speed, maybe.
Could have had Stralman AND Duclair and no Boyle, and now they overpay like a motherfucker for 18 months of an overrated offense-only defenseman.
Quote:
Keith Yandle is not a great player
Greg from LI : 3/1/2015 8:16 pm : link
He's a defenseman who can score but is neither fast nor physical and stinks in his own end. OEL he ain't- now THAT is a great player.
If the Rangers had to give up Duclair, the least they could have done was to demand that Arizona take Girardi'Girardi ' s albatross of a contract off their hands.
Quote:
scoring was not this team's problem
Greg from LI : 3/1/2015 8:45 pm : link
And the idea that the lack of the mythical PPQB was the missing piece is silly. They need help in preventing scoring chances and goals.
Yandle is better than Boyle, but still a very similar player. You know, Boyle' s Corsi is pretty good too, because his minutes are sheltered as hell. Same thing with Yandle.
It's going to be a blast watching him walk in 2016 while Duclair blossoms. If this team doesn't win by next year, this deal is a massive failure.
I hated the MSL trade more for the #1 and #2 as much or more
He was the only one of their defenseman who was a really physical thumper. They miss that.
I don't think McIlrath sucks, but he's limited by his skating and he isn't really suited for the style Vigneault wants to play. He also missed a year of development with his knee injury.
Agreed, Sauer had a combination of size with a natural physical side and he could skate ...that was a massive loss. He would have solidified the backline 2nd or 3rd pairing big time.
Wish he was still on the team. Would change a lot of things. It's baffling to me that a concussion can end a career the way it ended Sauer's. I wonder what the full story is about that.
for why Stralman was let go while Boyle was signed for comparable money. Fucking stupid.
It's tough to get on a team that won the President's trophy, but bad luck and bad trades have made this team way worse than it could have been.
Sauer being healthy? Stralman being let go? The Yandle trade? Hell, if you REALLY want to go back, think about the potential if Cherapenov didn't die.
Obviously this is a stupid exercise because of the butterfly effect - things wouldn't be the same that they are now. But I do think that this team would be better (the Nash trade might not have happened though).
it's funny that the team wasn't scoring even with Nash AND Gabby on the same fucking team!
WHY CAN'T THE RANGERS SCORE? WHY DOES THEIR POWER PLAY ALWAYS SUCK?
the Rangers didn't come back against the Pens last year until we had a eulogy, so maybe it will have the same positive effect this year. ;) I don't think the Rangers are done; I'm just frustrated that they're playing with fire when they don't have to out of stubbornness or pride.
the post-mortem we had here after game 4 of the Penguins series last year.
This series isn't fucking over, far from it. Have some faith in this group that's had a lot of success the last four seasons.
I agree.
I thought the team was done last year down 3-1. They looked like shit. This year, they look okay and are outplaying Washington (slightly, but still). I think this is going 7.
I'm not looking to start the tiresome Callahan trade arguments again because Callahan was never going to be on the 2015 Rangers regardless, but they do miss him because he was the only garbageman they've had in recent years. That's the kind of guy they really could use now to pick up an ugly goal when they can't score the pretty goals.
Whatever. I can't believe people are panicking at a 1-2 deficit. They've lost one game because they inexplicably stopped playing with 5 seconds to go and another because of one fluke goal. I get that they're not scoring, and yes it's infuriating, and yes they have to do better, but this isn't anything like the 2013 series with Boston (to use the last series they were just flat out outclassed as an example). The Caps simply aren't anything special outside of Ovechkin. The Rangers will have every chance to win this. Whether or not they take it, who knows, but they're absolutely in it.
Good post.
Holtby is literally the only reason this series isn't 3-0 Rangers right now.
The caps just aren't a good team.
Let's hope he isn't the reason the Caps are in the semi-finals and the Rangers can take advantage. I just want to get to Friday 2-2 and take it from there.
Rangers win tomorrow night and all the "Debbie Downer" talk
will disappear. It's funny to say - and maybe I'm dreaming - but even when Nash was at the height of his goal scoring streak, this Rangers team was about a lot more than Rick Nash. The Rangers moving up in the standings while Lundqvist was out for 20 games is who this Rangers' team was all about. All four lines. All 21 players. And resilient as hell.
Maybe they won't get past the Capitals. But to suggest this series is over is nonsense. The Capitals had a chance last night to come home and dominate. Anyone who thinks they succeeded is nuts.
The Rangers are once again getting stoned by a hot goalie just like last year and not a lot of puck luck. The Caps power play is a impotent as the Rangers and they haven't exactly put pucks in the back of the net with any regularity either.
The Rangers problem is they appear to be snake bitten in this series andthey don't have a whole hell of a lot of time to change things. I had a bad feeling after the way they lost the first game and that feeling is getting stronger with each passing minute.
It's almost like people thought we'd glide all the way through..
...and would never trail in any series all the way to a Stanley Cup.
These are the NHL playoffs. There's going to be adversity. The Rangers are a resilient bunch and a lot of these guys have plenty of experience. They know what they need to do and they'll get it done.
We can get panicky if the Caps win again tomorrow night and put them on the ropes. I don't think it'll happen.
The team hasn't been generating a lot of scoring chances
During these playoffs. Outside of game five in Pittsburgh, I have a hard time thinking of an outstanding goaltending performance by the opponent. The games have been tight and the Rangers haven't done enough. There's at least two more games to change that.
I'd like to see Nash paired with Hayes. He's the one Center
and had great looks in game 2 - we had 6 high quality scoring chances in the 2nd period alone (which was actually our worst period as far as carrying play). Holtby was up to the task or we would have scored 6 times Saturday.
But we certainly didnt build on that in game 3 - there was nothing difficult or exceptional about Holtby's shutout performance on monday.
Nice to see that Nash played well on Saturday. Very active around the net.
I was a big fan of that as well.
Boyle and Yandle shouldn't be a pair to begin with. I think AV & Ulf have done an awful job this series, and that three of the four Caps goals could be tied to them being outcoached.
And I agree about your comments regarding Staal - especially with McDonagh Rick Nashing it on defense this post-season.
No idea how this makes any sense to the coaching staff
I know Yandle/Boyle have wound up on the ice together but I didn't think they were designated as a pairing.
Seems like the coaching staff is choosing it in spots, but I can't say for sure.
I know Yandle/Boyle have wound up on the ice together but I didn't think they were designated as a pairing.
They were on the ice for the first goal in game two after taking the puck up the ice after a faceoff - both Yandle/Boyle made terrible plays on that goal.
Like when he scored that goal on Saturday?
Later.
That OT GWG from Marty in Game 4 of the ECF last year is my favorite goal from last year. Would love to see more shots like that this year.
Lot of rumors going around, but I believe it's been confirmed he's done for this series. And I think he'd be a surprise if he came back at all this season.
Almost certainly won't see him this series and odds are probably against seeing him again in these playoffs unless he makes a really quick turnaround or we get back to the SCF.
Not saying anything earth shattering, but they clearly go as Ovechkin goes. There isn't much else there other than that top line. It's a really fucking good top line, but if it can somehow be shut down, we can win this in 5 or 6.
Much like the Pens series, the top end talent advantage is on the other side but ours everywhere else. If we can keep Ovechkin/Backstrom from beating us, we'll win the series.
Should be out of this in 6.
Much like the Pens series, the top end talent advantage is on the other side but ours everywhere else. If we can keep Ovechkin/Backstrom from beating us, we'll win the series.
Should be out of this in 6.
Yeah, Kuznetsov is good, the one guy that worries me outside of their top line.
I'd forgotten about that. For Martin Erat, holy shit. Imagine him on their 2nd line with Kuznetsov centering him. Yikes.
I want the Rangers to win it all while Nash fails to score another goal.
I want the Rangers to win it all while Nash fails to score another goal.
Well we all want to win, but there is a strong correlation between your best players producing points... and actually winning.
It'd be like saying I'm fine with the Rangers winning and Hank giving up 3-4 goals a night. Could it happen over 4 grueling series? I guess, but not likely.
We went 13-12 in the postseason last year despite facing a backup goalie for 8 of those games. We need our star to play like a star - and yes, i realize how good Nash's game is away from the puck. I'm not saying trade the guy... but damnit he and Stepan will need to catch fire if we are going back to the Finals. Ovi has raised his game for them - we need to match it.
As for arc's earlier post -- first of all, pfft... "5 or 6 friends" ...yeah ok.
Second, as great as Ovi's goal was saturday, i should watch it again as I was at the game and didnt get to see the review, but didnt he deliver a flying elbow to Girardi down at their end about 5-10 seconds before that goal? Ovi - dont get me wrong if he wasnt playing us... i love this guy's game -- but IMO he gets away with some shit that should be a penalty.
Bwahaha... well played, Sir. Truth is i was just looking to get some $$$ back for my seats from Brett though - think he would have noticed if i charged him 1.5x ?
Did you end up going to the game Saturday, brettsky?
Personally I wouldnt touch that third line right now. They've been our best scoring threat line these playoffs it seems, at the very least this series so far.
Truth is Nash, Brassard and Stepan have been playing pretty well. MSL is dragging a lot of guys down right now - the Zuccs injury wouldnt kill so much if father time hadnt put a big giant sized fork on this guy's back this year.
Might go Friday depending on how cheap the seats get.
I wonder if MSL is still suffering from effects due to the injury... Unlikely since he started playing like shit around game 50. Richards seems to be playing pretty well for CHI right now.
Even last year's MSL would be huge for this team.
I think we just have to hope that Marty has one last push in him and can pick it up.
Agreed 100%. I commented several times to the people I was watching with that I was really impressed with him, after having been decidedly unimpressed (right place at the right time for the goal notwithstanding) in game 1.
Meet me at OG beforehand.
Ovechkin is playing like a star and carrying his team. When you only get 2 goals per game the other team's star can steal the series.I just heard Micheletti say that the Rangers have "more scoring depth". Where is it?
We do have scoring depth - its why we made the Finals last year and why we're still alive with a Presidents Trophy this year.
Micheletti is right... but IMO its even more reason why our top guys should be scoring more. AV can afford to keep them fresher and there is less pressure on them to carry the load every night. We're all just waiting for Nash to explode - like Stamkos, how can he be so quiet year after year?? Makes no sense.
Also -- a lot of times we make the other goalie look great when really he was just OK. Game 1 Holtby (since we kept missing the freakin puck) or MAF for much of the Pens series too are examples. But game 2.... Holtby was tremendous - you have to tip your cap to the way he played. Rangers easily could have had 6 goals. (and if Hank isnt great too the game would have ended 6-4)
They also continue to make that one or tow extra passes. SHOOT THE PUCK! Get rebounds, score.
Scoring depth. We absolutely have it. We're all talking about how MSL looks done and even he still score 21 goals this year. Zuccarello is also a good example of depth when he's on the ice.
Nash doesn't have to be Ovechkin for the Rangers to win a Cup this year. And not for nothing but he's been our best point producer next to Brassard so far these playoffs. We'd all like to see him score a few more goals but if he continues to produce points, that's fine too.
Ovechkin is just on another level. It's unfair to expect that type of play from Nash.. he's not that type of player.
Scoring depth. We absolutely have it. We're all talking about how MSL looks done and even he still score 21 goals this year. Zuccarello is also a good example of depth when he's on the ice.
Nash doesn't have to be Ovechkin for the Rangers to win a Cup this year. And not for nothing but he's been our best point producer next to Brassard so far these playoffs. We'd all like to see him score a few more goals but if he continues to produce points, that's fine too.
Ovechkin is just on another level. It's unfair to expect that type of play from Nash.. he's not that type of player.
You're right, Nash is not Ovechkin and I don't expect to see that type of play from him, but is it unreasonable to expect Nash to score goals at 2/3 of his regular season pace? He averages .44 gpg in the regular season lifetime, just .13 gpg in the playoffs, 28% of his regular season pace. Mike Gartner was considered a playoff choker (unfairly in my opinion) and he scored at 72% of his regular season pace (.49 gpg reg season/.35 gpg playoffs)
He's getting decent chances his post-season. I have a hard time criticizing anything than the stat sheet this year (again, unlike last year). Really frustrating.
...and 12 of the past 13 decided by one goal (and 14 of past 16) - the only that wasnt (Game 3 SCF) was the result of pucks off Quick's stick shaft while Hank had every unlucky bounce imaginable.
...and 12 of the past 13 decided by one goal (and 14 of past 16) - the only that wasnt (Game 3 SCF) was the result of pucks off Quick's stick shaft while Hank had every unlucky bounce imaginable.
It would be nice to have a little cushion for a change and not have to hang on for dear life at the end. That said, I'll take a win however they can get it.
Nash is +3 PLUS 3)
Nash is second on his team in plus minue--Brassard nd Girardi are first (+4)
I know plus minus can be misleading...but it's not that misleading..
Nash is playing well. He's killing penalties and his line is outplaying the opposition more often than not.
Like others have said, he is also our most talented goal scorer and it is not asking too much out of him to score an important goal at some point this playoffs (1 meaningless goal in 6 games). He is helping the team win in other ways, but being that we aren't scoring many goals to begin with, we NEED him to score at some point.
Clearly the very top end of his offensive game, which is scoring goals, isn't quite there right now, but he's hardly a drag.
When you factor in how responsibly he's playing within the system, it's hard to be really upset with his 5 pts in 7 games
Fuck these 7:41 games!
Kreider and Miller need to finish their checks ... first period of game #2 proved that they can check and not take any penalties - and Ovechkin didn't do much when the Rangers were finishing their checks ... also helps that the two kid lines were spending most of their ice time in Washington's zone ... Nash/MSL can't Ovechkin score against them because I suspect Washington will try to match Ovechkin against the Nash line every chance they get.
But it never happens and basically every game follows the same script.
So.. I am prepared to sweat out yet another 1 goal game. Hopefully we are on the winning end of it again.
#LGR
#RayLewis
LGR motherfuckers
Just about the same thing. He's a beast..
I guess if Ovie can keep boarding Rangers they'll let CK do some legal hitting.
Kreider has been a fucking animal so far
DONT FUCKING WRAP UP ON A HOCKEY RINK
Either call both or let it go
I am so sick and tired of hearing what Nash does well. He is a good hockey player, who plays his ass off--nobody is disputing that. However, we pay him big money to put pucks in the back of the net. He averaged over a goal every other game and was dominant force in the regular season. We need that now, not only all his other intangibles (which are great). And, yes Brian Boyle was a little playoff machine.
I don't know about that, but two things I will say. I am very glad about their effort level and it was the best period we had all playoffs playing the kind of game/style we want to play.
GOD FUCKING DAMNIT EVEN THIS UP
The problem started with MSL, he won the race to the puck and got taken off of it immediately
I don't know why putting the puck in the net always becomes this monumental struggle for this Ranger team in the playoffs.
The problem started with MSL, he won the race to the puck and got taken off of it immediately
Looked like more on Girardi. MSL cancelled out his man. I don't know though, just frustrating
We just aren't going to get much further unless we start scoring more than this.
I dont know what game you're watching. Every great scoring opp has been by Wash. TTruthfully, we havent come close. St. Louis still fanning and failing. Yandle not shooting the puck as usual and passing across the ice, throw in a few lousy outlets by McD and you have this.
This team is NOT winning the cup or this series for that matter playing like this. We are playimg soft....again.
He is really really bad.
Quote:
by far the better team so far in this game and we're down 1-0. Someone has to put the fucking puck in the net, enough is enough
I dont know what game you're watching. Every great scoring opp has been by Wash. TTruthfully, we havent come close. St. Louis still fanning and failing. Yandle not shooting the puck as usual and passing across the ice, throw in a few lousy outlets by McD and you have this.
This team is NOT winning the cup or this series for that matter playing like this. We are playimg soft....again.
You're not even close to being right
Quote:
In comment 12271016 MookGiants said:
Quote:
by far the better team so far in this game and we're down 1-0. Someone has to put the fucking puck in the net, enough is enough
I dont know what game you're watching. Every great scoring opp has been by Wash. TTruthfully, we havent come close. St. Louis still fanning and failing. Yandle not shooting the puck as usual and passing across the ice, throw in a few lousy outlets by McD and you have this.
This team is NOT winning the cup or this series for that matter playing like this. We are playimg soft....again.
You're not even close to being right
Lol ok Greg. Name the great scoring chance we had?
We're really not. All poor shots and Wash controlled cycles. We're playing into their hands.
Hes been hprrendous ALL playoffs
Quote:
The 5v5 play isn't a problem.. we're probably getting the better of the play overall. We're just not capitalizing.
We're really not. All poor shots and Wash controlled cycles. We're playing into their hands.
I don't think we're watching the same game, man..
Orrrrrr ur wearing blue colored sunglasses. We are NOT controlling this game. We were in the first 5-10 of the 1st
Terrible this series though
Chopper must have some different feed than the rest of us
Finishing is kind of the point of the sport.
Terrible this series though
Chopper must have some different feed than the rest of us
He was good for about two games in the 1st round. He looked lost and was throwing the puck away left and right.
Quote:
Made a great play people. He didn't finish.
Finishing is kind of the point of the sport.
Defender taking away the crossing angle is part of the game too.
We have more possession but it yields to harmless shits at bad angles, lazy passes, making it easy for Holtby.
If by fanned shots and soft board play qualifies as "good" to you....yea, he's all world.
"Playing well" and not scoring means jack shit in the playoffs when the team isn't scoring and losing.
Chop, has there been any more scoring in the game you're watching?
"Playing well" and not scoring means jack shit in the playoffs when the team isn't scoring and losing.
You nailed it
LGR!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
By the way. FUCK PIERRE MCGUIRE.
Blast from a far for a month now
Lundqvist of course is bringing his A game. What a shame.
Im sorry guys, but these guys are lost offensively. They have NOTHING for what Washington is showing them.
Awful. Can someone make sure Boyle is stuck on the hotel elevator until next week? He's a fucking traffic cone out there.
Puck into holtbys chest from thirty fucking feet out
We've looked like garbage in the third
Quote:
with the back again. That's the second time he was cross checked and got up slowly.
Stop making excuses for him. He must have conveniently been hurt every year he has been in the playoffs since he has NEVER produced in the post season. Never.
The posters on this thread have to stop making excuses for this team. They look pathetic. And the pairing of Boyle and Yandle is just fucking illogical
NO THEY'RE NOT!!!!!
Get. Him. Off. Our. Team.
Sick of these two over-the-hill has-beens
Typical AV team. look solid in the regular season, come crunch time they wilt like a tulip.
Yea but they have come close to getting it in 50 mins!
Now go ahead and post something like LOL________ Insert name.
If they do, this narrative that you've spun is going to fall apart.
You're missing a pretty good game. The rangers aren't playing anywhere near the top end of their game, but they are getting the better of play. It's still possible to lose games when you do that.
Typical AV team. look solid in the regular season, come crunch time they wilt like a tulip.
Like last year? Just stop
They look TERRIBLE arc! And what makes it worse is the confidence you guys have in them based on how theyve played this ENTIRE game!
They look AWFUL.
Need to nut up and score. Its embarrassing how pathetic we are offensively come playoff time year after year.
Quote:
No offense, but you're literally unbearable right now. Take a xanax or something. It;s playoff hockey. This shit isn't going to be easy.
They look TERRIBLE arc! And what makes it worse is the confidence you guys have in them based on how theyve played this ENTIRE game!
They look AWFUL.
No. They don't. It's the playoffs and it's a tight game. Get a fucking grip. You're acting like a child throwing a tantrum.
[quote] In comment 12271219 chopperhatch said:
Quote:
In comment 12271212 arcarsenal said:
Quote:
No offense, but you're literally unbearable right now. Take a xanax or something. It;s playoff hockey. This shit isn't going to be easy.
They look TERRIBLE arc! And what makes it worse is the confidence you guys have in them based on how theyve played this ENTIRE game!
They look AWFUL.
No. They don't. It's the playoffs and it's a tight game. Get a fucking grip. You're acting like a child throwing a tantrum. [/quote
Lol...they are CLEARLY the better team. Watch. We'll lose this and the next because of the soft and frantic style of play we have adopted all of a sudden.]
One of these days hell absolutely shock me and actually score an important playoff goal
actually probably not
You're just a bitch, straight up.
Quote:
did the ref miss Boyle being put in a headlock for about 10 seconds.
When will you guys learn...they absolutely do not call penalties during the playoffs in the 3rd period especially when its a one goal game unless someone gets murdered. Its not even worth whining about.
I seem to remember the Rangers having to kill off a penalty with about 3 minutes to go against the Penguins up a goal. Can't remember which game.
Call what you see regardless of what the time is. A headlock for about 10 seconds is plenty long enough to blow your whistle.
Really impressive.
You're just a bitch, straight up.
Go fuck yourself. Lol. Your mother's a bitch
To be this pitiful in the offensive end - again - during Hank's tenure is just really sad. He deserves better,
0
Caps are collapsing and we aren't getting shit
Quote:
In comment 12271230 MookGiants said:
Quote:
did the ref miss Boyle being put in a headlock for about 10 seconds.
When will you guys learn...they absolutely do not call penalties during the playoffs in the 3rd period especially when its a one goal game unless someone gets murdered. Its not even worth whining about.
I seem to remember the Rangers having to kill off a penalty with about 3 minutes to go against the Penguins up a goal. Can't remember which game.
Call what you see regardless of what the time is. A headlock for about 10 seconds is plenty long enough to blow your whistle.
To be this pitiful in the offensive end - again - during Hank's tenure is just really sad. He deserves better,
I couldn't have said it better
Year after year and it never changes
Really impressive.
Trotz is my coach of the year and its not close. Washington was - take away all their overtime extra points last year - one of the worst 5 teams in hockey last year, and that was with Ovechkin and Holty healthy. He's been brilliant all year and he's putting on a coaching clinic this series too.
Yup
I posted on reg season threads. The ones i didnt were because the game was not shown.
Fact: i have been in love with this team's style since last year when eveverybody was saying "they're not as fast as Pitt, not big enoygh to beat Boston"...that whole time I believed in this team.
Also Fact: they have not played like that at all this postseason. Believe what you want. Ive watched all the games Ive could.
bigbluehoya, I shshouldnt have responded that way and I apologize. I dont like being called a bitch, but I shouldnt have responded that way.
I have no idea what AV is doing in this series. Every crucial moment our 2 worst players, Boyle and MSL are out there.
AV has GOT to make an adjustment. Open things up and trust the goalie. I just worry that with the SCF run followed by the Presidents Trophy that we're running out of legs.
I have no idea what AV is doing in this series. Every crucial moment our 2 worst players, Boyle and MSL are out there.
Totally agreed. The Boyle Yandle pairing is maddening. Your 2 worst defensive defensemen on the same pairing.
This is not good.
We have the best goalie and they've won by a nice bounce while we have controlled the puck.
I want to think its stuff like this which will bring us to win a series as it plays out.
We gotta make adjustments and have to win Game 4. That's it.
All for this and bring up Lindberg for StL. The guy is a handicap at this point.
It ain't pretty. The Zucc injury looms large
Henrik and the D do their job yet no one can bury the fucking biscuit
Infuriating
Stl and Boyle are not quick enough to play against a physical team like the Caps.
I've given up on Rick Nash. Two weeks ago.
Agreed on Hunwick for Boyle but will never happen. The sad thing is I distinctly remember AV saying after the Kings loss this team needed to get younger and faster - so what does Sather do? He brings in Boyle for Stralman and heavily relies on MSL.
We gotta make adjustments and have to win Game 4. That's it.
Now ur seeing it my way. But the thing is, his changes are not going to affect the types of chances we get. We are waiting for everybody to get set up on D and shootng the puck into two or three D men.
Also faceoffs: 40-18 Caps.
Game was exciting but ultmately they were far better than us.
But - with all that - Washington didn't exactly blow me away tonight either ... and this was their home game ... I expected them to play much better than they did ... they got one lucky bounce and it was the difference, but they otherwise didn't exactly play overwhelmingly
This is still a series .... NYR win Wed and the series is once again tilted to the Rangers
Stl and Boyle are not quick enough to play against a physical team like the Caps.
Agreed! We flung a bunch of shots on goal, but they were easily controlled by Holtby
I didn't even think Marty was that bad tonight, honestly.
We had 36 scoring chances to their 19. They got the bounce they needed and we didn't. That was the difference.
It's the playoffs, there's no such thing as a smooth ride to a Cup. There's going to be turbulence and this team is going to have its resolve tested. Now it's time to respond and make adjustments and win Game 4.
We'll be fine. Tough, shitty loss.. but it's only one loss. We have to beat them 3 times before they beat us twice. That's it.
The Capitals are trash and throw four guys in front of the mulleted garbage can yet Nash and the rest of the idiots just shoot the puck right into his chest or glove.
My ejaculation when watching fat porn is faster than these guys. Speed, my wrinkled star.
And at what point is Scotty nogoalsandneverexpectgoalseverbevausetheppsucksdick Arniel going to be called the fuck out for the continued failure that is the Rangers power play?
1-0? Tonight was a joke.
Oh and hey Nash. How about stop shooting the puck from the boards into Holtbys sizzle chest.
No one remembers or cares about your regular season goal total, pal.
Something is very wrong when you are blaming JT Miller who has been here about half a season... instead of the stars who for a second year in a row just don't put a fucking puck in the net.
Nash I think is now at 6 goals in 50 games. It's absolutely fucking pathetic. And yes I know he plays well away from the puck - so did Brian Boyle. JFC.
How did not having strallman cost us tonight? Can he suddenly score?
100% intensity, every play contested, just what you want from a playoff game.
Holtby was great as was Hank.
one flukey goal.
Quote:
and no Stralman
How did not having strallman cost us tonight? Can he suddenly score?
Guess you didn't watch the playoffs last year or the Tampa playoffs this year.
Except for that flurry at the end, yea thats my point. Holtby was just playying catch with us all night.
Not once did I feel like we should be winning this game.
Zucc injury is MASSIVE. having to break up that Hayes, Hags Fast line has hurt. The third line is like...Hayes and...thats it.
100% intensity, every play contested, just what you want from a playoff game.
Holtby was great as was Hank.
one flukey goal.
No it wasn't. We are a team built to win now - the window is closing and Losing sucks.
Quote:
Trotz is beating AV and that's why we're where we are at.
We gotta make adjustments and have to win Game 4. That's it.
Now ur seeing it my way. But the thing is, his changes are not going to affect the types of chances we get. We are waiting for everybody to get set up on D and shootng the puck into two or three D men.
Also faceoffs: 40-18 Caps.
Game was exciting but ultmately they were far better than us.
Faceoffs have been an issue but "far better"? Completely inaccurate.
So how were the Rangers the better team if Holtby had an easy night? The game I watched was even - Rangers played a decent road game I guess, but the Caps got the breaks and now its a Must win on the road in game 4. Not good.
He's better than both of them.
Honestly. I could take a corn-riddled shit on the ice and it would play better defense than Yandle.
22 shots and they're dominating. My gosh people, it's not all about fantasy stats as he's playing great and his team is winning
I didn't even think Marty was that bad tonight, honestly.
We had 36 scoring chances to their 19. They got the bounce they needed and we didn't. That was the difference.
It's the playoffs, there's no such thing as a smooth ride to a Cup. There's going to be turbulence and this team is going to have its resolve tested. Now it's time to respond and make adjustments and win Game 4.
We'll be fine. Tough, shitty loss.. but it's only one loss. We have to beat them 3 times before they beat us twice. That's it.
But see thats the thing, Boyle looks ok as an offensive d man. But when hes paired with another O D man it just looks bad.
Id actially rather Hunwick for Yandle but theyll never do that given what they gave up for him.
Quote:
... I'm not happy about the loss ... I'm especially not happy about Miller because, with Nash/MSL not playing well, it's critical that the 3rd line plays great ...
Something is very wrong when you are blaming JT Miller who has been here about half a season... instead of the stars who for a second year in a row just don't put a fucking puck in the net.
Nash I think is now at 6 goals in 50 games. It's absolutely fucking pathetic. And yes I know he plays well away from the puck - so did Brian Boyle. JFC.
I'm not blaming Miller. Not at all. He's a kid. I'm just saying what I want to see from him and what will make a difference in the outcome. I pick on Miller because I happen to believe he is a difference maker - whereas I have very little faith that Nash or MSL have the ability to bring energy to the game (MSL is too old, and that isn't Nash's game) ... and I also don't think Nash or MSL are going to be the difference makers in these playoffs - but I do think the two kid lines can be. Need to be.
Quote:
but that was a f-ing awesome game to watch.
100% intensity, every play contested, just what you want from a playoff game.
Holtby was great as was Hank.
one flukey goal.
No it wasn't. We are a team built to win now - the window is closing and Losing sucks.
The window is closing? Lol - good lord dude. Get a grip
Henrik and the D do their job yet no one can bury the fucking biscuit
Infuriating
Take a look at the top of the playoff stats...Perry, Tyler Johnson, Kane, Keith, Getzlaf, Toews, Parisie, OV. 1-8 all super stars carrying their teams like they should and shockingly, they are all winning.
As for Nash, he is currently #43 and falling on the points list and #77 in goals. Absolutely pathetic and disgraceful.
Quote:
Rangers were the better team, they just couldn't get any good shots it seemed. Did Holtby make one good save? Easiest shutout ever.
So how were the Rangers the better team if Holtby had an easy night? The game I watched was even - Rangers played a decent road game I guess, but the Caps got the breaks and now its a Must win on the road in game 4. Not good.
THANK YOU! Rangers had possessn adv, but they came close to scoring a goal TWICE.
The window is closing? Lol - good lord dude. Get a grip
Correct, we have a 2-3 year shot at this. This is year 1. You don't get to mortgage the future every year for 3 years now like Sather has (which coincides with his personal planned retirement) and expect to compete for a cup forever. In fairness, this team hasn't had a high draft pick since 2005 now so its bound to come to an end soon eventually.
Have to take advantage of these opportunities God-damnit. Especially with a 16 team conference they don't come easily. Team is built to win now and one Zucc injury shouldn't destroy that.
We've been through this before, guys. We'll win on Wednesday night and it'll be knotted up again going back to MSG.
This team looked fucking dead in the water in this same round last year and were in an even bigger hole than this. Don't make the same mistake of writing them off. I'll believe we're done when we're out. We're not close to done.
Ive noticed his line stinking. Didnt focus on his play as much...how do you change it up? Kreider-BrassarD-Nash? Miller-Brassard-Nash?
Take a look at the top of the playoff stats...Perry, Tyler Johnson, Kane, Keith, Getzlaf, Toews, Parisie, OV. 1-8 all super stars carrying their teams like they should and shockingly, they are all winning.
In my book, Kreider is this team's superstar and future. Problem is, he was the only Ranger who played a full 60 minutes tonight. But Kreider/Hayes/Fast/Miller/Stepan/Hagland - those are the core guys on this team. They are the heart and soul of the team. The energy guys. And they are the ones who will either win or lose this series.
Nash, Brassard and Stepan have to lead the scoring out there. The other guys are good enough to help out more than other teams can get secondary scoring help - and we have two 'offensive' defensemen that aren't supposed to suck this bad,.... but bottom line is Nash especially has to step it the fuck up and carry this team. Enough already.
Quote:
Take a look at the top of the playoff stats...Perry, Tyler Johnson, Kane, Keith, Getzlaf, Toews, Parisie, OV. 1-8 all super stars carrying their teams like they should and shockingly, they are all winning.
In my book, Kreider is this team's superstar and future. Problem is, he was the only Ranger who played a full 60 minutes tonight. But Kreider/Hayes/Fast/Miller/Stepan/Hagland - those are the core guys on this team. They are the heart and soul of the team. The energy guys. And they are the ones who will either win or lose this series.
Nash, Brassard and Stepan have to lead the scoring out there. The other guys are good enough to help out more than other teams can get secondary scoring help - and we have two 'offensive' defensemen that aren't supposed to suck this bad,.... but bottom line is Nash especially has to step it the fuck up and carry this team. Enough already.
I get it. But that's not going to happen. He dropped off the scoring race with 15-20 games to go and hasn't been the same since. And that isn't going to change. He's one of those guys who disappears in the playoffs and has to help his team in other ways (and he's playing with great effort).
He may score 1-2 but he's just not going to dominate. I have a lot more faith in Kreider/Stepan/Fast/Miller/Hayes/Hagland.
It's never going to happen. He's not that player.
It's never going to happen. He's not that player.
Yup. Agree. And I don't think that means the Rangers can't win the Cup. They have a great goalie. A great defense. And a bunch of kids with great speed, energy, and talent.
All good, man. I shouldn't have started the name calling.
I still think your take on the game was unduly negative from a ridiculously early point in the game
Frustrating loss.
At this point, I can't entertain any thoughts of retaining MSL at any price next year.
some of the fans around here really need to nut up. We're down 2-1 on some highly fluky bullshit goals. Down 2-1 nonetheless, but this is fucking playoff hockey.
We've still got this shit.
Nobody needed 15 goals out of the guy (eg Gaborik last year... FML) - but you absolutely have to have 10-12 in 25 games. Or a ~40 regular season pace.
Instead he's delivered 4 in 33 for us over the last 2 years. You aren't sniffing a cup with that. I feel terrible for Hank. He deserves better than what we give him offensively year after year.
Nobody needed 15 goals out of the guy (eg Gaborik last year... FML) - but you absolutely have to have 10-12 in 25 games. Or a ~40 regular season pace.
Instead he's delivered 4 in 33 for us over the last 2 years. You aren't sniffing a cup with that. I feel terrible for Hank. He deserves better than what we give him offensively year after year.
Nobody needed 15 goals out of the guy (eg Gaborik last year... FML) - but you absolutely have to have 10-12 in 25 games. Or a ~40 regular season pace.
Instead he's delivered 4 in 33 for us over the last 2 years. You aren't sniffing a cup with that. I feel terrible for Hank. He deserves better than what we give him offensively year after year.
And, while Nash clearly hasn't produced, I do think he is hamstrung right now with MSL replacing Zucc ... MSL's legs are dead. Zucc's passing and playmaking was magic. Who knows what Nash would be doing if Zucc was in the lineup. His absence is just huge. I think AV will shake up the lines for Wed night. We'll see. It's still a series because, for all that Nash and MSL didn't do tonight, the Capitals sure as fuck didn't win tonight's game. For a home team, they were pretty pathetic and lucky they weren't behind a few goals after the first. And they never did score but for a bounce off two skates/legs.
The Rangers of two years ago were entirely reliant on Rick Nash to score.. which is why we were eliminated so quickly when he didn't.
This incarnation has been getting contributions from all over the lineup all year. We'd all like the guy to score 10-12 goals in these playoffs and it would sure make the road easier but it's probably not happening.
Losing Zuccarello does hurt a lot because he's a major cog but I'm not convinced they can't score enough to win a Cup as constructed.
McDonagh making multiple mental mistakes on the PP was almost impossible to believe. I barely trust Yandle at all with the puck right now and Boyle/MSL just... I don't even know what to say about them.
Maybe I'm in a bad mood, but I thought the team played like shit tonight. They barely had any real scoring chances. I don't recall seeing as many guys completely unaccounted for in the defensive zone as I saw in the 2nd period. Caps were just chilling in front of Hank waiting for the puck.
All that being said, they lost on a bullshit goal.
End of the day I don't care which of those guys gets hot - but one has to or we're home celebrating our useless Presidents Cup by Sunday night.
You cant rely on kids like Miller or Hayes to get us to Tampa. The guys in their prime need to elevate their play significantly.
And AV needs to step it the fuck up too - you cant be serious with this playoff performance so far. The guy is still known as a regular season coach - 3 Presidents Cups in 5 years - how about something to show for it, AV.
The Rangers of two years ago were entirely reliant on Rick Nash to score.. which is why we were eliminated so quickly when he didn't.
This incarnation has been getting contributions from all over the lineup all year. We'd all like the guy to score 10-12 goals in these playoffs and it would sure make the road easier but it's probably not happening.
Losing Zuccarello does hurt a lot because he's a major cog but I'm not convinced they can't score enough to win a Cup as constructed.
Honestly I think its a BBI myth how "close" we were to winning a Cup. We talk about that Kings series the way Penguins fans talk about our first round series with us this year. All those games were 'close' too. I'd feel better about that LA series if they didn't tilt the ice on us pretty much every game but game 5.
It's never going to happen. He's not that player.
I am not looking to for him to "carry" us, but I am looking for him to be the same player he was in the regular season. He is a star, not a superstar, and I don't expect him to be a superstar,. I expect him to be the star that he is.
Quote:
bigbluehoya, I shshouldnt have responded that way and I apologize. I dont like being called a bitch, but I shouldnt have responded that way.
All good, man. I shouldn't have started the name calling.
I still think your take on the game was unduly negative from a ridiculously early point in the game
Frustrating loss.
At this point, I can't entertain any thoughts of retaining MSL at any price next year.
some of the fans around here really need to nut up. We're down 2-1 on some highly fluky bullshit goals. Down 2-1 nonetheless, but this is fucking playoff hockey.
We've still got this shit.
Glad you responded. I am going in next game expecting us to come out wiyh vigor and getting after Holtby. But it hasnt happened yet. You have three guys playing a VERY soft game in Yandle, Boyle and StL...4th if you include Stepan. But when I see a team flinging blind passrs in the offensivee zone and shooting ssoft wristers at the goalie with nobody screening and nobody crashing the net, the writing is on the wall.
Something better change sokn, otherwise we're done before the weekend. Thats not doom and gloom. This Caps team is too scary to play like AV's old Canuck teams.
Got to stay positive, this group has earned that trust.
Quote:
We were a few bounces and a missed goalie interference call away from that entire series going the other way.
The Rangers of two years ago were entirely reliant on Rick Nash to score.. which is why we were eliminated so quickly when he didn't.
This incarnation has been getting contributions from all over the lineup all year. We'd all like the guy to score 10-12 goals in these playoffs and it would sure make the road easier but it's probably not happening.
Losing Zuccarello does hurt a lot because he's a major cog but I'm not convinced they can't score enough to win a Cup as constructed.
Honestly I think its a BBI myth how "close" we were to winning a Cup. We talk about that Kings series the way Penguins fans talk about our first round series with us this year. All those games were 'close' too. I'd feel better about that LA series if they didn't tilt the ice on us pretty much every game but game 5.
Did the Pens have two goal leads in two of the games they lost?
Whatever - last season is over with. We beat a backup goalie in the ECF to get to the Finals where we were expunged in 5. It's not a blueprint to winning without your star player.
You win games when your stars play like stars. Which is what Ovechkin is doing for the Caps right now. Kane does every year. Etc.
Meh... fuckin win Wednesday. I'm sick of the shitty performances this postseason. We haven't looked right yet in 8 games now, even with Zucc.
Quote:
have been shit.
McDonagh making multiple mental mistakes on the PP was almost impossible to believe. I barely trust Yandle at all with the puck right now and Boyle/MSL just... I don't even know what to say about them.
Maybe I'm in a bad mood, but I thought the team played like shit tonight. They barely had any real scoring chances. I don't recall seeing as many guys completely unaccounted for in the defensive zone as I saw in the 2nd period. Caps were just chilling in front of Hank waiting for the puck.
All that being said, they lost on a bullshit goal.
No dude...I totlly agree with you. And it was infuriating to watch because I know what theyre capable of.
Those OT games could have easily gone the other way. But that's hockey.. they didn't and we lost. Regardless, I still think we could have won it if a few bounces had gone in the other direction even without an increased scoring output from Nash.
In any event. Too much sky is falling mentality around here tonight. We're down 2-1 in a 7 game series. Hardly insurmountable.
Let's move on and win on Wednesday.
Did the Pens have two goal leads in two of the games they lost?
LMAO. Really? That's what you're hanging your hat on. We got beaten fairly easily by LA, sorry - even Doughty said it was the easiest series they played of all 4 of them (in fairness all their others were a physical 7 games)
[quote] had a donut in that series. Maybe if he wasn't so impotent out there we win a few more games.
Whatever - last season is over with. We beat a backup goalie in the ECF to get to the Finals where we were expunged in 5. It's not a blueprint to winning without your star player.
You win games when your stars play like stars. Which is what Ovechkin is doing for the Caps right now. Kane does every year. Etc.
Meh... fuckin win Wednesday. I'm sick of the shitty performances this postseason. We haven't looked right yet in 8 games now, even with Zucc. [/quote
A fucking Men.
Last year's miracle run was a 13-12 hockey team despite 8 games against backup goalies. Just stating facts -- we need our stars to play like stars or this team just ain't good enough.
(*nobody said it was easy... there are 30 teams, 25 of whom have good players who try really hard too)
Quote:
Did the Pens have two goal leads in two of the games they lost?
LMAO. Really? That's what you're hanging your hat on. We got beaten fairly easily by LA, sorry - even Doughty said it was the easiest series they played of all 4 of them (in fairness all their others were a physical 7 games)
The only similarity between our series with the kings and the Pens series this year was that it lasted five games and two games went to OT.
Look - last year was a hell of a ride, and the emotions of losing I wanted to believe we were a cunt-hair close too... but we lost in 5 to a team that was doubling our scoring chances pretty much every game. The only game we won we won because two goals were miraculously kept out by ice snow.
It was a good series - Hank was awesome except for game 2 - but we were beaten fairly soundly.
There is no dishonor in Losing a Finals to a really good Kings team. I would just be really disappointed if that was Hank's lone shot at a Cup. He fucking deserves a title more than any player I've ever seen in my lifetime (I wont argue the merits of Bourque, etc), but this team year after year doesn't score him goals Goddamnit.
Whatever - last season is over with. We beat a backup goalie in the ECF to get to the Finals where we were expunged in 5. It's not a blueprint to winning without your star player.
You win games when your stars play like stars. Which is what Ovechkin is doing for the Caps right now. Kane does every year. Etc.
Meh... fuckin win Wednesday. I'm sick of the shitty performances this postseason. We haven't looked right yet in 8 games now, even with Zucc.
Why do you feel the need to shit on what they were able to accomplish last year? That was a grat run and while it was frustrating we could finish it off, it was still a ton of fun. Maybe I'm way off base but it feels like I read this stuff from you a lot.
Better than Richter at his craft and more longevity here than Messier. He deserves it and we are just as good as any team remaining, even without Zucc - just need some puck luck and some guys to step up, maybe start taking some chances, and to be better than the other guy.
nearly never had a good PP.
Could nearly never score enough goals.
Always hit scoring droughts in the playoffs.
Reg season goal scorer disappearing during the playoffs (all the way back to Jagr getting hurt vs the Devils, whether by injury or otherwise).
Just watch, Hank will retire years from now, and no matter what happens (whether we can bring him a cup or not) the Rangers will be offensively gifted and totally handicapped by their goalie and defense immediately after, right after an era of being blessed with an amazing goalie and d corp for 20 fucking years.
I have an awful feeling about how this will end. I don't see us getting out of this round. Although part of me is saying that because I'm usually wrong, so I'm covering my ass. But now another part of me feels I just jinxed or reversed course by admitting that. This is the fucking problem with playoff hockey. Gotta turn the superstitious part of your brain off.
Disheartening L - Holtby must've gloved a half dozen shots.
Better than Richter at his craft and more longevity here than Messier. He deserves it and we are just as good as any team remaining, even without Zucc - just need some puck luck and some guys to step up, maybe start taking some chances, and to be better than the other guy.
I agree, I want it badly for Hank. He deserves better than the goal scoring he's gotten through the years.
I thought MSL and Boyle both had decent games, actually. Maybe my bar is just so low.
Yandle looked as lost as chopperhatch. Atrocious game from him (and that's ignoring the unlucky bounce).
WHY AREN'T YOU FUCKING HUGGING THE POST THERE HENRIK?!
On to the next one.
I agree and the more frustrating part is that our shooting efficiency in the regular season I think was tops in the league. In the playoffs it has been awful. Last night, besides faceoffs and shooting efficiency, we played the exact game we wanted to play and we played well. That is both frustrating and frightening.
I think we could win the next three games if we shoot the puck better. We have been the better team in the two games we lost, which is also very frustrating. This whole playoffs have been frustrating.
IMO, it's usually a long cross ice pass which leaves the winger one on two while skaing on the outside. They skate/fly around the outside and rarely penetrate the middle.
Wish they would just skate it up rather than the cross ice pass or dumping it in. It helps the defenders keep up too as they're miles behind the play.
The NHL is about your stars playing at a high level and producing in the playoffs. It Nash is "not that guy" to carry the team, then he can not be allowed to take up $7.8 million in cap space. His game degenerates into a perimeter player when the going gets tough. I respect his work ethic and professionalism, but but I really don't give a shit that he kills penalties and backchecks if he's not scoring. You can get guys to do that for 1/10 of his salary. Loved the hit on Wilson though.
Kevin Hayes was a beast last night. Great game in all 3 zones, created and had many chances, but again, nobody lights the lamp.
There are those who disagree but I thought we carried the play last night and just didn't get a bounce or two. As far as Hank not getting to the post in time to prevent that puck from going in goes, Beagle's stick wasn't even close to being in position for a wrap around, it looked more like an inadvertant pass or loss of possession that made its way off of Yandle's skate and into the net. Yandle has rarely been in the proper position to make a play in any of the 3 zones. I too thought Boyle had a decent night, he was very active jumping into the play ...we all know how often he can be overwhelmed in the D zone but that's nothing new. I think we all know the pairing of the two is as scary as it gets when they're hemmed in their own zone.
Gotta bring it tomorrow boys!
bench him. Start Cam.
/sarcasm
I believe Curtis Joseph shares that honor.
Link - ( New Window )
Cujo has more and never won a cup. Hank is the only one who has them all with one team and no cup though.
Not true. Curtis Joseph played in 133 playoff games. Andy Moog doesn't technically qualify because he has three rings, but he got them backing up Grant Fuhr. He didn't backstop a team to a Cup and he played over 100 playoff games. That was after maybe 5 minutes of searches on Hockey Reference. I'm sure there are more.
Quote:
I read that Lundqvist is the only goalie to play 100 playoff games and never win a Cup.
Not true. Curtis Joseph played in 133 playoff games. Andy Moog doesn't technically qualify because he has three rings, but he got them backing up Grant Fuhr. He didn't backstop a team to a Cup and he played over 100 playoff games. That was after maybe 5 minutes of searches on Hockey Reference. I'm sure there are more.
According to Hockey Reference, only 20 guys have played 100+ NHL playoff games in net. Lundqvist and Joseph are the only two without a Stanley Cup, though your point about starter vs. backup is definitely relevant beyond the numbers.
Link - ( New Window )
The sky is not falling.
Whatever. I can't believe people are panicking at a 1-2 deficit. They've lost one game because they inexplicably stopped playing with 5 seconds to go and another because of one fluke goal. I get that they're not scoring, and yes it's infuriating, and yes they have to do better, but this isn't anything like the 2013 series with Boston (to use the last series they were just flat out outclassed as an example). The Caps simply aren't anything special outside of Ovechkin. The Rangers will have every chance to win this. Whether or not they take it, who knows, but they're absolutely in it.
He deserved not to win it after giving up a goal from the red line to Jacques Lemaire in Game 7
I thought our best offensive game was game 2 on Saturday - we scored 3, if Holtby wasnt excellent could have had 6. Was hoping we'd build off that but we didnt.
Game 1 we had high quality chances too, but guys just couldnt put fucking wood on the puck for some reason. Last night was different - IMO Holtby didnt have to work nearly hard enough.
I'm missing one:
Roy, Brodeur, Smith, Fuhr, Dryden, Barrasso, Broda, Osgood, and Lundqvist.
Maybe Roy is counted twice?
Whatever. I can't believe people are panicking at a 1-2 deficit. They've lost one game because they inexplicably stopped playing with 5 seconds to go and another because of one fluke goal. I get that they're not scoring, and yes it's infuriating, and yes they have to do better, but this isn't anything like the 2013 series with Boston (to use the last series they were just flat out outclassed as an example). The Caps simply aren't anything special outside of Ovechkin. The Rangers will have every chance to win this. Whether or not they take it, who knows, but they're absolutely in it.
Good post.
Before my time - was it as bad as the goddamned Ron Francis goal in 1992 that still haunts my memories after 23 years?
and this is a fair criticism. They have a lot of guys who are unselfish and want to make plays. That's great, but someone's got to have an attitude that "I'm gonna be the guy who scores here".
MSL used to be one of those guys, but he isn't the same player of earlier in his career either. Stepan,Kreider,Brassard are all well rounded players but you wouldn't call any great goal scorers.
Does this mean we can't win the series? Absolutely not. But unless Nash magically regains his shooting touch of earlier in the season, we will likely have to squeak out low scoring wins throughout the rest of the playoff run. And judging by Nash's career playoff numbers, it don't look promising for him to do that.
This teams first priority in the off-season should be somehow landing a guy with great scoring ability.
With the Rangers, I feel like they will always find a way to disappoint me in the end, the way I felt about the Giants pre-07.
But honestly, it's just a psychological thing, as I am usually wrong... Rangers win when I think they'll lose, and lose when I think they win, so I set myself up for a loss and hope for the best so I don't get too disappointed in the end. Sorry for going all StealingSociety on you guys (remember him? Fuck that dude).
Easier said than done. And there's a salary cap.
Hopefully we see Buchnevich next season rather than the 2016-17 season.
Quote:
one of the all time bad goals
Before my time - was it as bad as the goddamned Ron Francis goal in 1992 that still haunts my memories after 23 years?
From purely a goaltending standpoint yes, further away. From a personal standpoint, no, the Francis goal was a killer. Turned that whole series around. They were about to go home up 3-1 before that fiasco despite the Lemieux Academy Award performance that led to Graves suspension.
Easier said than done. And there's a salary cap.
Hopefully we see Buchnevich next season rather than the 2016-17 season.
I get it. But while many teams have other holes we have the rest. Great coach/system, goaltending, strong defense, speed to burn etc.
Teams that close to winning a cup are usually more aggressive finding that final piece.
Always had sympathy for Stealing Society, he was/is one deeply tormented dude.
Easier said than done. And there's a salary cap.
Hopefully we see Buchnevich next season rather than the 2016-17 season.
What about this Tambellini kid we just signed to an ELC? He had a shitload of points this year - do they project anything on him?
And fuck -- why arent other teams losing key players to freak 'friendly fire' injuries like we seem to do all the time!?
Sonic, if you are old enough to remember, that has been the Rangers history. '71, beat the defending champion Bruins, lose to the Blackhawks in 7 in the semi finals. '72, Ratelle breaks his ankle,lose in the Finals to Boston, '73, beat Boston, lose to Chicago again, '74 lose to the Flyers in 7 in the semis, it goes on and on. JP PArise, Mikko Leninen whiffing on the winner against the Fishsticks, Ron Francis.
Teams that close to winning a cup are usually more aggressive finding that final piece.
We just bet the house on Yandle. I thought we'd get more -- he still has a few games to turn this thing around.
I say this once a year, but fuck the Rangers' luck. Not just for the key injuries that happen every damn year around playoff time, but because Cherepanov was going to be that guy for them. That kid had true superstar potential.
Quote:
Every single team in the NHL is looking to add a guy with "great scoring ability"
Easier said than done. And there's a salary cap.
Hopefully we see Buchnevich next season rather than the 2016-17 season.
I get it. But while many teams have other holes we have the rest. Great coach/system, goaltending, strong defense, speed to burn etc.
Teams that close to winning a cup are usually more aggressive finding that final piece.
Well, that's kind of how it goes.. it's nearly impossible to build the perfect/complete team. A lot of teams with an elite scorer are pining for help in net or on the blue line or don't have depth. The Rangers are pretty close to being a complete team. They're as close as I've seen since '94.
This team is good enough to win a Cup this year but as Greg said, it's really really fucking hard to do even with a really good team. It's a gauntlet and so many factors come into play.
I keep trying to give Yandle a pass because the guy is an excellent skater and a really good passer but it's hard to justify what we traded away for him given what the return has been thus far.
I have a hard time believing we wouldn't still be in the playoffs now if we had John Moore or Hunwick getting those minutes.
There was no need to throw that 2nd first in. Cally is better than MSL. The writing was on the wall with a 37 year old tiny player, no matter how good of a season he was having. I wish the conditional first was the only first in the deal, but the fact that it was 2 first rounders was a joke.
And the Yandle trade is shaping up to be a bag of shit also. We have given up 4 first round picks in order to make the team worse. If you replaced MSL with Cally, we'd be a better team. I get that we saved money and got something for Cally, so I would be down with a MSL for Cally trade, but man it would have been much better if we traded Cally for prospects or at least someone younger if we were going to give up 1 first rounders.
Side note: does anyone else think the Rangers would have at least made the finals in 2011 if Phaneuf doesn't level Sauer and end his career? Michael Sauer would really be a welcome addition to this team.
Side note #2: Does McIlrath really suck that badly? How did Sather blow that pick so badly?
I don't think McIlrath sucks, but he's limited by his skating and he isn't really suited for the style Vigneault wants to play. He also missed a year of development with his knee injury.
At any rate, in the immediate aftermath of the Yandle trade he said to me something to the effect of, if you think Boyle is horrible in his own end and is a turnover machine, wait til you get a load of Yandle. Needless to say, I had no idea it could be this bad but being that he's watched an awful lot of Yandle over the years, he was sadly right on the money.
Boyle was a disaster in the playoffs last year in San Jose while the pretty skating Yandle has his peaks and valleys.
The team should have kept Stralman and Boyle rather than another old guy and losing DuClair and a #1 pick for Yandle.
I don't think McIlrath sucks, but he's limited by his skating and he isn't really suited for the style Vigneault wants to play. He also missed a year of development with his knee injury.
Agreed, Sauer had a combination of size with a natural physical side and he could skate ...that was a massive loss. He would have solidified the backline 2nd or 3rd pairing big time.
Yep. You could go on and on. Trading Mattias Norstrom and ending up with Marty fucking McSorley. The Bobby Carpenter trade, the Espo/Vadnais for Ratelle/Park trade. Trading Sergei Zubov for Ulf Samuelsson instead of getting Samuelsson to play WITH Zubov. Their power play has been in steady decline since. Breaking off talks to get Jagr in 2000 and signing Lindros instead. UGH
Greg from LI : 3/1/2015 8:24 pm : link
.
Greg from LI : 3/1/2015 7:49 pm : link
Average speed, maybe.
Could have had Stralman AND Duclair and no Boyle, and now they overpay like a motherfucker for 18 months of an overrated offense-only defenseman.
Greg from LI : 3/1/2015 8:16 pm : link
He's a defenseman who can score but is neither fast nor physical and stinks in his own end. OEL he ain't- now THAT is a great player.
If the Rangers had to give up Duclair, the least they could have done was to demand that Arizona take Girardi'Girardi ' s albatross of a contract off their hands.
Greg from LI : 3/1/2015 8:45 pm : link
And the idea that the lack of the mythical PPQB was the missing piece is silly. They need help in preventing scoring chances and goals.
Yandle is better than Boyle, but still a very similar player. You know, Boyle' s Corsi is pretty good too, because his minutes are sheltered as hell. Same thing with Yandle.
It's going to be a blast watching him walk in 2016 while Duclair blossoms. If this team doesn't win by next year, this deal is a massive failure.
Yandle is a typical "good player for a bad team" kind of guy. The mistake was letting Stralman walk, forcing them to sign Boyle and trade for Yandle.
Quote:
He was the only one of their defenseman who was a really physical thumper. They miss that.
I don't think McIlrath sucks, but he's limited by his skating and he isn't really suited for the style Vigneault wants to play. He also missed a year of development with his knee injury.
Agreed, Sauer had a combination of size with a natural physical side and he could skate ...that was a massive loss. He would have solidified the backline 2nd or 3rd pairing big time.
Wish he was still on the team. Would change a lot of things. It's baffling to me that a concussion can end a career the way it ended Sauer's. I wonder what the full story is about that.
It's tough to get on a team that won the President's trophy, but bad luck and bad trades have made this team way worse than it could have been.
Sauer being healthy? Stralman being let go? The Yandle trade? Hell, if you REALLY want to go back, think about the potential if Cherapenov didn't die.
Obviously this is a stupid exercise because of the butterfly effect - things wouldn't be the same that they are now. But I do think that this team would be better (the Nash trade might not have happened though).
it's funny that the team wasn't scoring even with Nash AND Gabby on the same fucking team!
WHY CAN'T THE RANGERS SCORE? WHY DOES THEIR POWER PLAY ALWAYS SUCK?
This series isn't fucking over, far from it. Have some faith in this group that's had a lot of success the last four seasons.
We're winning this series.
on an otherwise shitty day.
So Long Barn - ( New Window )
on an otherwise shitty day. So Long Barn - ( New Window )
Thanks but watching the shithole home of an irrelevant team with the most front running fans ever finally get torn down doesn't give me pleasure.
This series isn't fucking over, far from it. Have some faith in this group that's had a lot of success the last four seasons.
I agree.
I thought the team was done last year down 3-1. They looked like shit. This year, they look okay and are outplaying Washington (slightly, but still). I think this is going 7.
Quote:
on an otherwise shitty day. So Long Barn - ( New Window )
Thanks but watching the shithole home of an irrelevant team with the most front running fans ever finally get torn down doesn't give me pleasure.
How do you really feel, Victor?
Quote:
In comment 12272216 MetsAreBack said:
Quote:
on an otherwise shitty day. So Long Barn - ( New Window )
Thanks but watching the shithole home of an irrelevant team with the most front running fans ever finally get torn down doesn't give me pleasure.
How do you really feel, Victor?
:-)
Quote:
I'm not looking to start the tiresome Callahan trade arguments again because Callahan was never going to be on the 2015 Rangers regardless, but they do miss him because he was the only garbageman they've had in recent years. That's the kind of guy they really could use now to pick up an ugly goal when they can't score the pretty goals.
Whatever. I can't believe people are panicking at a 1-2 deficit. They've lost one game because they inexplicably stopped playing with 5 seconds to go and another because of one fluke goal. I get that they're not scoring, and yes it's infuriating, and yes they have to do better, but this isn't anything like the 2013 series with Boston (to use the last series they were just flat out outclassed as an example). The Caps simply aren't anything special outside of Ovechkin. The Rangers will have every chance to win this. Whether or not they take it, who knows, but they're absolutely in it.
Good post.
Holtby is literally the only reason this series isn't 3-0 Rangers right now.
The caps just aren't a good team.
Maybe they won't get past the Capitals. But to suggest this series is over is nonsense. The Capitals had a chance last night to come home and dominate. Anyone who thinks they succeeded is nuts.
The Rangers problem is they appear to be snake bitten in this series andthey don't have a whole hell of a lot of time to change things. I had a bad feeling after the way they lost the first game and that feeling is getting stronger with each passing minute.
These are the NHL playoffs. There's going to be adversity. The Rangers are a resilient bunch and a lot of these guys have plenty of experience. They know what they need to do and they'll get it done.
We can get panicky if the Caps win again tomorrow night and put them on the ropes. I don't think it'll happen.
Rangers are playing well all over the ice except making things difficult for that shit bird.
That changes, then this filthy train starts Rollin
But we certainly didnt build on that in game 3 - there was nothing difficult or exceptional about Holtby's shutout performance on monday.