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.
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.