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.
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.
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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.
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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.
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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)
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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.