Super long game and Chicago won to tie the series.
As far as the Rangers, absolutely have to win one in Tampa here at minimum. Get it out of the way tonight so that Friday is slightly less tense and hang onto home ice.
I suspect the Rangers will be much more disciplined tonight. Hopefully the refs actually let the teams play a little bit.
Rangers just have to be way better tonight. Just checking: does anyone else think, as I do, that the Ducks' players are simply gigantic compared to the Blackhawks' players? (Sometimes looks flat-out unfair, men against boys, they are so huge. Even so, Chicago showed yesterday, in an extremely long, tough game, that it's grit and talent that can make the difference.)
They play a heavier, more physical game. Chicago is built more like the Rangers are with their strength being their skill and ability to skate. We're deeper defensively (deeper in general, really) and have a better goaltender but the Hawks have better top end talent.
That went out last game and I think we win tonight. Stay out of the box. No more sloppy turnovers. We are still the better team. This team is resilient and I like that McD called the team out after last game. Come back sharp tonight and take back home-ice advantage.
RE: Just win baby. I'm expecting Game 5 at MSG tied 2-2.
2012:
NJ - Win
Washington - 3OT Win (by the way, Duncan Keith played 50 minutes last night ... holy shit)
Ottawa - Win
So 5-2... not too shabby. None of us wants a must win game Friday on the road against a team we have to be struggling for confidence against at this point (1-9 vs Bishop) - tonight is huge.
All of which is obviously irrelevant as far as tonight goes. We need to pot 4 - i dont care who scores, but obviously its tough to improve offense efficiency without your best players contributing.
AV called them out after game 2 - said Johnson & TB's big boys have elevated their games... ours need to now too. And that includes some of our "offensive Defensemen" in that too (looking at you, Yandle).
when it comes to the 5x5.. Cooper can get the matchups he wants now and their crowd (helped by all the audio help Tampa likes to pump in) will give them energy.
Maybe we can win 3-2 or something.... but i really, really doubt we can win 2-1 again against a team with this much firepower. When you give the PPs and odd man rushes... they bury them.
in the NY Post today. If Nash doesn't start scoring Rangers are done. I tend to agree with that.
When I wrote here a month ago that he should have called out Nash instead of Kreider I was crucified by nearly everyone. Even emailed that thought to Larry. It's a little fucking late, the guy is a proven playoff flop. 7 goals in 55 career games. Dave Anderchuck was called Anderchoke for years and he scored at twice the per game rate of Nash, and at 68% of his own regular season pace. Mike Keenan said he couldn't win with Mike Gartner who scored at 72% of his regular season rate. Nash scores at 29% of his regular season pace.
Seriously, I'll wager on the game and give you a goal, not being a douche. I think the Rangers win this one (and might not lose again this series).
The only question I have is astronaut man/woman.
Lol - there were three times in my life I was close to betting on my team but decided against it - 2011 when the Giants lost to the Redskins and were at almost 100-1 odds for the Super Bowl, last year when the Rangers were down 3-1 to the Penguins, and this year when down 3-1 to the Caps. I don't know why I didn't pull the trigger then since I expected losses in those scenarios and I perceived the risk/reward as asymmetrical in my favor, but I certainly don't bet on my team when I actually think they'll win - it only exacerbates the damage.
So no, go fuck yourself, pj.
I also don't really believe in jinxes/superstitions, etc.
and have won without Nash scoring, but it isn't ideal. What I don't get is that he gets 1-2 breakaways or semi-breakaways every game and just can't finish.
Nash does a lot of the little things to help, though. I'm not seeing any of that out of MSL right now.
If Nash doesn't score, but he's working for the puck, we still have Stepan, Kreider and Brassard who have stepped up.
if they call penalties everytime a TB player goes to the ice and ignore when Rangers have the puck and get tripped, it will be extremely difficult to win. Their PP is clicking right now.
if they call penalties everytime a TB player goes to the ice and ignore when Rangers have the puck and get tripped, it will be extremely difficult to win. Their PP is clicking right now.
I feel like the refs call tripping every time a player goes down in general, regardless of whether they were actually tripped. I know the plays happen at high speed but it seems like the refs drop the ball on those calls a lot.
and have won without Nash scoring, but it isn't ideal. What I don't get is that he gets 1-2 breakaways or semi-breakaways every game and just can't finish.
Nash does a lot of the little things to help, though. I'm not seeing any of that out of MSL right now.
If Nash doesn't score, but he's working for the puck, we still have Stepan, Kreider and Brassard who have stepped up.
But a Nash goal would be damn nice!
It's just annoying because they're chances we watched him convert on all year long but as soon as he gets those same ones in the playoffs, he can never bury it.
Rick Nash with a clear path to the goalie was almost an automatic goal throughout most of the regular season. Now? It's a sure bet he will get stopped.
the tripping calls. What I don't like is the lack of consistency. The Rangers have been called for a few penalties when guys have gone down with little or no contact while a Ranger driving to the net was taken down with no call.
Also, the Rangers being tripped on the boards is getting almost comical.
I remember Nash hitting the side of the net last year in an empty net situation. If he can't score that, then breakaways are the equivalent of Lundquist getting a G!
I don't know the guy personally so I'm not going to pretend I know what's going on in his head but I wish I knew what the problem was. Like.. is the guy just so nervous on the big stage all of a sudden that he has no confidence? It has been too long for it to be just a coincidence. I don't know what explanation there really is.
I guess there are guys who rise to the occasion and are at their best in big spots and then there are guys like Nash.. who don't seem to ever embrace the big moment and deliver. He seems like a guy who would never trust himself to come through with a goal with everything on the line. But what the hell do I know.
Same types of plays, missing empty nets, the only difference being that the stakes are higher, what else can you call it? It's not like he's St. Louis where he's pushing 40 and is done. He stopped scoring around game 65, just when the money starts to be seen on the table. Again.
Relax...... Nash is going to have a big game tonight
I would have understood it his first year when we were still a Torts team and we went into the playoffs basically expecting him to carry the team offensively. It was a lot to ask of the guy regardless.
But last year and this year when we're a team with more scoring depth and he doesn't have to be THE GUY every night for us to win? It's not even like a monumental amount of pressure is on him to score every night.
Just give us.. something. More than a goal per SERIES isn't asking a whole lot..
not sure who you could possibly move him for? One of the bums on Toronto? Its not like elite scorers are made available.
And only reason we're a #1 seed is because of his regular season efforts.
These are the players Sather bet on -- better or worse -- hopefully he can get it going, and Hank can steal us a few more games in the meanwhile.
Besides, if they dealt him in the offseason we all know he's just going to pull a Gaborik for his new team and pot 15 next postseason elsewhere. Guys like this just need to get going... get their confidence going.... then... you ride guys like this to a Cup.
But man, can we just get this guy the fuck going please.
And how many teams can take on the $7.8 million cap hit?
that Nash is admittedly a streaky player. He's always said he's a streaky player. He's unfortunately fallen into a slump starting at the end of the regular season. Hopefully he can get on a scoring streak again because that would go a long way for the Rangers.
It's never going to be the full $7.8 million b/c something will come back in return.
Edmonton is potentially a good trading partner. Send them Nash and Talbot for Taylor Hall. Hall makes $6 million per year and they're going to draft McDavid. Think the Oilers have better shot at the playoffs with
McDavid & Hall
or
McDavid, Nash & Talbot
It would cost the Oilers approx. $2.9 million for that deal and save the Rangers $2.9 million and they get younger.
Also, Nash's contract expires two years before Hall's which may or may not appeal to Edmonton (or NY).
I'm sure I could find more potential deals. Everybody is tradable in the NHL.
that Nash is admittedly a streaky player. He's always said he's a streaky player. He's unfortunately fallen into a slump starting at the end of the regular season. Hopefully he can get on a scoring streak again because that would go a long way for the Rangers.
A 33 game slump? That's almost half a season. Since March 1, 7 goals 33 games including playoffs. Which is far ahead of his lifetime playoff pace of 7 goals in 55 games.
RE: RE: And how many teams can take on the $7.8 million cap hit?
It's never going to be the full $7.8 million b/c something will come back in return.
Edmonton is potentially a good trading partner. Send them Nash and Talbot for Taylor Hall. Hall makes $6 million per year and they're going to draft McDavid. Think the Oilers have better shot at the playoffs with
McDavid & Hall
or
McDavid, Nash & Talbot
It would cost the Oilers approx. $2.9 million for that deal and save the Rangers $2.9 million and they get younger.
Also, Nash's contract expires two years before Hall's which may or may not appeal to Edmonton (or NY).
I'm sure I could find more potential deals. Everybody is tradable in the NHL.
I nominate you as Slats heir apparent! :-)
Look you guys have had a ridiculious number of 2-1 games
It is not just Nash who is not scoring. Kreider has been very good and so has Brassard and Stepan. To me you need to get Hagelin and Hayes going. The Lightning is going to key on your best players like Nash, so you can live he does put it into the net so long as others pick up the slack. It is easier if Nash can put a few in the back of the net, but some of the pressure comes off him if a couple of your other guys come through. I think if others start scoring Nash's drought will end. Predicting St. Louis gets his 1st 2015 playoff goal tonight.
It is not just Nash who is not scoring. Kreider has been very good and so has Brassard and Stepan. To me you need to get Hagelin and Hayes going. The Lightning is going to key on your best players like Nash, so you can live he does put it into the net so long as others pick up the slack. It is easier if Nash can put a few in the back of the net, but some of the pressure comes off him if a couple of your other guys come through. I think if others start scoring Nash's drought will end. Predicting St. Louis gets his 1st 2015 playoff goal tonight.
We know Hagelin is not a great goal scorer and it's not his role. Hayes is a rookie who they have gotten more out of than any of us could have expected. Don't blame a kid and a guy whose job is to skate, hound and agitate. Blame the veteran guy whose job it is to score.
being a "streaky" player would indicate scoring streaks and droughts are more mental than anything. A scoring drought in the playoffs compounds the mental factor. A scoring drought in the playoffs in NY magnifies the effect even more.
Bottom line though, if he can't get anything going in this series then it's not going to happen. The ice is wide open and nobody is going to make him pay the price for going to those tough areas.
RE: Look you guys have had a ridiculious number of 2-1 games
saying if you can get those guys going it will help. This is like basketball once the playoffs start the scoring becomes tougher. If you can pick up goals from Hayes, Hagelin, or Miller it takes some of the pressure off. Rangers need a game like Tampa had last game 6-2 and get a lot of these guys on the scoring sheet. This time of year is about confidence, Rangers offense needs a little of it.
when teams starting pressing for the playoffs and took the middle from him.
Nash likes to float freely into the middle, take his time, use his reach and score.
When teams take away the middle he's lost. He doesn't drive to the net, he can't skate freely, his reach loses the puck in traffic, he can't his time and he doesn't score.
It's not a streak or streaky. The guy doesn't adapt.
I'd just like to see Nash play with some edge. Mix it up with someone a little bit. Hit someone harder rather than just finishing a check like you're obligated to do it and force your way into the crease and in front of the net. Make Bishop know you're there.
I'm not saying play reckless or take bad penalties but play like you give a damn and are determined to make something happen.
in Edmonton as GM, from Boston, how do you know they're potentially a good trading partner?
Well I didn't have him on the phone nor did the same source that shared the Zucs info at the flying puck contract me but I though we have a debate being the topic came up. Kinda like having a debate about Flores at SS without the emotional tampons chiming in and tripping over their strings.
saying if you can get those guys going it will help. This is like basketball once the playoffs start the scoring becomes tougher. If you can pick up goals from Hayes, Hagelin, or Miller it takes some of the pressure off. Rangers need a game like Tampa had last game 6-2 and get a lot of these guys on the scoring sheet. This time of year is about confidence, Rangers offense needs a little of it.
Miller's had so many chances - it's unbelievable he hasn't netted one.
Miller certainly has had a lot of chances. He's actually creating chances which is great. He's also made a some Daniel Murphy type mistakes which make you shake your head (one step from an icing, throw the puck in the middle of your own end, etc).
He could be the difference. I like the kid.
2 of the Rangers top three goal scorers this year are Nash and MSL
And three of the top five in points are those two and Zuccarello. So....yeah, scoring's been difficult. Outside of Stepan, Kreider and Brassard, no one has more than two goals.
I'd just like to see Nash play with some edge. Mix it up with someone a little bit. Hit someone harder rather than just finishing a check like you're obligated to do it and force your way into the crease and in front of the net. Make Bishop know you're there.
I'm not saying play reckless or take bad penalties but play like you give a damn and are determined to make something happen.
Not sure if it translated on TV Monday night, but he was flying, hitting, and finishing checks.
I do understand people's pent up frustration with the stats, but it has seems odd to me that the Nash-bashing from many fans peaked after game 2. He was not among our top 5 problems in the game.
The reason why the Nash criticism is peaking is because he missed a prime opportunity that could have tied the game and changed its complexion. It wasn't uncontested, but he had a nice opportunity.
because it is the Conference Finals and he's done squat from a scoring standpoint for three rounds.
His +/-, his checking, his board work and his ability to create chances ahs been impressive, but when you are the leading scorer on the team, it is expected you will score. Look at all the heat Gaborik took here, and then he leaves the Rangers and was very effective in the playoffs last year.
Nash isn't useless like MSL has been, but he is getting heat for not doing putting the puck in the net - at an alarmingly low rate.
I'd just like to see Nash play with some edge. Mix it up with someone a little bit. Hit someone harder rather than just finishing a check like you're obligated to do it and force your way into the crease and in front of the net. Make Bishop know you're there.
I'm not saying play reckless or take bad penalties but play like you give a damn and are determined to make something happen.
Not sure if it translated on TV Monday night, but he was flying, hitting, and finishing checks.
I do understand people's pent up frustration with the stats, but it has seems odd to me that the Nash-bashing from many fans peaked after game 2. He was not among our top 5 problems in the game.
But how long do we keep giving him a pass for just doing the other stuff. We can pay a player 2M per year to do what he's doing right now. Love that he's trying and I know he wants to score more than anyone here even realizes but we are firmly in "put up or shut up" territory now and the longer he fails to make an impact on the scoreboard, the louder the criticism is going to get.
It's past the point of excuses. Guy has to get it going already or else we're going to get eliminated. I don't think we can win 7 more playoff games without him having any impact in the way of point production. I just don't.
Rick Nash makes a ton of money because he scores goals
His nice two-way play isn't what gets him that paycheck. I'm sympathetic to his plight, I know effort isn't the problem, but enough is enough - his team needs some production from him ASAP.
There were certainly bigger issues, would just be nice to see him convert on the type of chance he had when it was still a 1 goal game for once in these playoffs. We saw him do it all year long.
Playing with better discipline tonight is obviously priority #1.
RE: Rick Nash makes a ton of money because he scores goals
His nice two-way play isn't what gets him that paycheck. I'm sympathetic to his plight, I know effort isn't the problem, but enough is enough - his team needs some production from him ASAP.
on the beautiful feed from Hagelin 90 seconds into the game monday ... only to have it redirected ... back towards Hagelin in the corner... on the low-light reel.
It's sad to see. Richards was never this bad here.
Didn't do anything particularly badly, didn't really contribute anything positive.
Marty's actively hurting the team with the constant turnovers, the falling down whenever anyone brushes up against him, the missing wide open nets. Has he won a single scrum for the puck on the boards in the postseason? If he has, I must have missed it.
I definitely remember Richards being absolutely terrible.
Richards was brutal in the 2013 playoffs. Especially against Boston. The guy was absolutely lost. He was missing the net by 5 feet and struggling to make routine passes.
For Torts to bench his buddy, you knew he had to be pitiful.
He wasn't as bad last year, he was pretty good in the first couple rounds but after the goal he scored in Game 1 vs MTL he totally fell off.
I at least partially get it right now given what the alternatives are but if MSL is still playing this poorly and Zuccarello makes it back, he's really the one who should sit.
I wouldn't be surprised if that happens. I'd imagine AV regrets not going with Miller over Richards last year and doesn't want to repeat the mistake of holding out hope on an old fuck again.
But I really don't see what they possibly lose by replacing him with Lindberg or Bourque. It's not like they'll lose any offensive production. And I'm pretty sure Lindberg would play solid defense and manage to stay on his skates most of the time.
are our prospects good in the sense that we still have decent 3rd and 4th line options and good D- in the system.... or is this a product of just having more career "AAAA" types than other teams?
Skapski played well for Hartford this season but it's Yann Denis (who is in his 30s) who's played in the playoffs. Their leading scorers are mostly AHL lifers - Chris Bourque, Chris Mueller, Joey Crabb.
RE: I definitely remember Richards being absolutely terrible.
Could barely handle the puck in the last two rounds.
+1
Richards couldn't keep up with anybody and the puck jumped all over his stick. He was a mess. St Louis is demonstrating better wheels than Richards but his decisions with the puck are awful.
Adam Gretz of cbssports picked us to win 3-2 tonight.
Gretz has been wrong now 6 consecutive games. Almost impossible to do.
Between him and pjcas -- those anti-indicators are just too much to overcome.
And don't forget a certain unnamed regular poster who said, and I'm paraphrasing, the Lightning should win 1 possibly 2 games this series. I don't understand how anyone who watched these two teams play each other during the regular season can feel that way let alone say it.
Sure, it's the playoffs, circumstances are different and the Lightning may not have been lights out in the Montreal series but that has no bearing on the next round and matchup.
Looking for a vintage Rangers road game tonight where everyone pays attention to the details and takes care of business.
read anything since, so I don't know what the "talk" has been about ... but I'm afraid that Tampa broke the mystique and that Tampa scores 2 or more goals every game left in this series ... I sure as hell hope I'm wrong and that I'm wrong starting tonight ... game 3 is such a pivotal game in any 7 game series. I'm praying Mon was an aberration and that tonight's game is Sat all over again.
Adam Gretz of cbssports picked us to win 3-2 tonight.
Gretz has been wrong now 6 consecutive games. Almost impossible to do.
Between him and pjcas -- those anti-indicators are just too much to overcome.
And don't forget a certain unnamed regular poster who said, and I'm paraphrasing, the Lightning should win 1 possibly 2 games this series. I don't understand how anyone who watched these two teams play each other during the regular season can feel that way let alone say it.
Sure, it's the playoffs, circumstances are different and the Lightning may not have been lights out in the Montreal series but that has no bearing on the next round and matchup.
Looking for a vintage Rangers road game tonight where everyone pays attention to the details and takes care of business.
Let's Go Rangers!!!
I don't understand why you say unnamed poster like a flaming vagina, but what I said was they could win a game or two based on superior skill - which leaves the possibility open for them winning others due to Bishop, a Ranger fuck up, or the inevitable toss-up game (we saw part of the first two in game two, as well as the high end skill).
Go get a Callahan jersey and root for the Lightning if you're going to be such a fucking pussy.
He's absolutely terrible. Greg will say Laughlin is worse (thankfully I've never been subjected to him) but this guy is as bad as anyone I've ever heard.
He's absolutely terrible. Greg will say Laughlin is worse (thankfully I've never been subjected to him) but this guy is as bad as anyone I've ever heard.
It's not even his content. Just the way he speaks.
when it's an obvious penalty on them and it's not called. Tampa dodged a huge bullet and possibly a 3-1 deficit considering how Bishop's looked this period
Nash is our best penalty killer. I don't think that's what is stopping him from scoring. I can't believe his lack of scoring is because he's tired. When was the last goal Marty has scored. It's tough when your goal scorers can't score.
Fortunate to get out 2-1. D-men need to get the puck down on their shots, especially if there is not a screen. Bishop will catch everything if he can see it. Bounce it off his pads and get some rebounds.
It looks like Tampa thinks they've found something to Hank's glove side. They keep swinging the puck to the right circle and one-timing it from there. They've already scored a couple of goals that way IIRC and Killorn had a wide open net that he fortunately fired into Hank's pad.
play from 3 of our 4 top defensemen tonight. The one fucking guy you can't leave wide open is that midget and they do. If that little fuck wants to hang out by the net make him eat the fucking ice
tonight is much, much worse than it was on Monday night. They're destroying us. Mondya night we kept falling over our own 2 feet and couldn't stay out of the box, but 5 on 5 we were fine. Tonight 5 on 5 we're awful.
Just leave the hottest scorer in the playoffs wide open
But, we are not winning another game this year... I hate to say it...this series is over... Rangers are tired and overmatched... Tampa looks hungrier..
I will say something every pass I mean every pass Yandle makes is right on the tape of fellow Ranger players! He can sure pass! He has been a whipping boy but he is spot on all night!
I'm not shedding a tear for any of these guys right now
We will probably lose this game and be down in the series but
At least go out there and play like a bunch of professionals and not some half drunken beer league idiots
But otherwise it's mostly been the players in front of him being asleep at the switch. They've got to stop the penalties and hit the net on these chances or they've got no shot.
HIT THE FUCKING NET, YOU DICKHEADS. STAAL, YOU HAD A GREAT CHANCE SET UP BY MARTY, WHO WAS NICE ENOUGH TO SHOW UP FOR 10 SECONDS, AND YOU MISS THE NET BY 10 FEET.
And fucking switch up the goddamn defensive pairings. Put Staal with Girardi, McDonagh with Boyle and Klein with Yandle. The pairings we have now are blowing chunks and are getting exposed by Tyler Johnson and Co.
AV tells Pierre we are trying to play fast. I'm not so sure
that's what we need to be doing. Puck possession wouldn't be a bad thing at this point. Hank needs to shit them out in the 3rd for us to have a chance. Slow it down a bit if we can.
I'm not shedding a tear for any of these guys right now
We will probably lose this game and be down in the series but
At least go out there and play like a bunch of professionals and not some half drunken beer league idiots
we've had the numbers back to defend it pretty easily but mental mistakes and just losing guys has cost us 2 goals. How is it possible with 3 guys back and them only having 2 for Johnson to be left wide open right in front of the net?
But Tampa looks like the far better hockey team. They look faster,they're winning in the corners,and they can accurately shoot the puck. It's amazing how many shots the Rangers take they are so far off the net.
RE: For as much shit as Nash gets for not scoring.
Klein has not been awful, he made two great plays last period. They have one freaking line(albeit the best we faced this year) and should be able to stop them.
have to see the replay again, it looked like Killorn was Staal's man on the 4th goal. It was a good play by Killorn and a sick shot, but can't give the puck carrier that much room.
he's steady otherwise IMO.
game is far from over. ride the Kreider line. shorten the bench, stay out of the box, Rangers win the period
This has the feel of a game that will end 6-3 or 7-4
will never be psychologically out of any series. That's silly.
I don't know...that 2nd period looked like a series of mental errors that we haven't seen often from them. The Rangers don't look like they're making the proper plays at a fast enough tempo; some of it is physical but some of it is mental too. The defense certainly seems overwhelmed
can't be put on the 4th line. He needs to be put up in the suite in a suit
A bit too late to scratch him at this point though. Seriously, don't bury Miller just because we have the great Marty St. Louis. St. Louis, aside from ten seconds, has been absolutely terrible all playoffs.
But take a deep breath. We're down a goal in a 1-1 series going into the 3rd. There's a reason Tampa Bay is here. They're really good just like the Rangers are. We've got a ways to go here.
It's not always going to be pretty.
20 minutes to go. Tie this fucking thing up and then go from there.
Division opponents know you well and tend to play uglier games. And players always say the first round is the toughest to get out of.
Especially with their young group, we were all hoping Detroit would KO them for a reason - even if it meant Carey Price in the ECF. This team is loaded and can beat you in so many ways. And they are all under 30 - they are going to win multiple Cups.
We're not playing particularly well, but when a team offensively pushes your shit in - despite all this investment in G and D - in 5 of 6 games now... reality is hitting hard right now.
We have to steal this game somehow and then Hank is going to have to find his game fast. He needs to steal 2 games for us. I understand these are tough saves - this guy wants to win a Cup, he's going to have to stand on his head this series. IT's that simple.
BTW, do the refs hold off blowing the whistle for Bishop or am I imagining things? It makes sense given his propensity to play the puck (and is more likely to work in our favor than TB's).
Nash has to step it the fuck up here. He just has to. Every other "superstar" on this ice has stepped up their game. It's a game of inches. Our guy has to show up.
RE: Yandle's having a superb hockey game in addition
I'm done watching MSL sabotage our season. At this point AV has to make a switch. It's over. Move on. Lindberg or Bourque, don't give a shit who - but its time to move on.
Mook, this is the 6th game this post season where Tampa has 4+ points
You seem like a nice guy, I get your a Giants fan... but I cant fathom going by myself to a thread with 100 (pick a team) fans and just talking up my team when they take the lead.
I'm not picking fights or anything. My old man is a mega Rangers fan, so I have a soft spot for them. I have plenty of friends, thanks for the concern though.
And like I said, Rangers score and we're back to even.
that's fine... I've just found your timing conveniently odd throughout this postseason series.
We ALL respect Tampa's talent (well... except Arc). And no matter what happens this series, they remind me basically of many young dynasties in that they can beat you in so many ways. Devils, young Avalanche teams, the '08 Penguins, Blackhawks... you name it. Your stars are all under 25.
We're just trying to steal a series before your guys get the postseason experience when they'll be battle tested and even stronger in the future.
We don't need you on after every Tampa goal telling us how this team can score in bunches. Go tell your Tampa Lightning fans that shit. Frankly - no shit.
but keep in mind McD has faced 3 of the 4 best players in the world in all 3 rounds. And he has a Goal tonight. If you don't hear his name or notice him ... that means he played great.
Nash - the opposite.
This has the feel of that crazy February Islanders game by the way... except final score. Who knows. I honestly feel like this OT is our season.
of all the people you think could really hurt you in a series... this fucking guy is probably tied for #2 with Stamkos behind Tyler Johnson right now. WTF?
Oh man, I thought the Rangers were going to end it
but keep in mind McD has faced 3 of the 4 best players in the world in all 3 rounds. And he has a Goal tonight. If you don't hear his name or notice him ... that means he played great.
Nash - the opposite.
This has the feel of that crazy February Islanders game by the way... except final score. Who knows. I honestly feel like this OT is our season.
McDonagh's been very noticeable in a bad way. He has been a much worse hockey player than Nash.
While Henrik wasn't as good as he usually is, the Lightning have seemingly found breakaways and wide open looks that the Rangers have not over the last two games.
Hard to shit on Henrik when he's been so lights out for us and gotten us this far.
your stars have to be stars... their's have elevated their game, ours have sucked. Hard to weep for Hank's Cup when he plays like this. 5+ allowed to Tampa now in 4 of 6 games. It's pathetic. It'd be pathetic for Halak or anyone average.
Jesper Fast and some others kept us in the game tonight, but Hank, Nash, McD and others just aren't getting it done.
I'm sorry you have to drive 4 hours after watching this tonight Mook.
While Henrik wasn't as good as he usually is, the Lightning have seemingly found breakaways and wide open looks that the Rangers have not over the last two games.
Hard to shit on Henrik when he's been so lights out for us and gotten us this far.
He's supposed to be the best player on our team. Don't care what he's done to get us here, 12 goals in 2 games is pathetic. We should not lose a game that we score 5 goals in.
Tampa was not playing anywhere near this in the first two series.
They had 13 goals in the first 5 games of last series. 13 in 3 games here.
If we score 5 goals we should win. Very disappointing, really don't know he we stop this, they have torched is this year 4 times for 5 goals or more. It is not a fluke. We are in serious jeopardy.
Hank is a guy that transcends the Rangers jersey. I rare breed. I'll always have his back - but you cant play like he's played the last 2 games and expect to win a Cup or be called a Champion.
As Britt said maybe a week ago, Champions earn that title and Hank fairly or unfairly has yet to earn it. He hasn't stepped up one bit in this series or against this particular team all season.
but the numbers are not pretty for Hank against TB. Game one was an outlier. Two and three are, unfortunately, typical. I'm wondering if it's in his head at this point.
There is no way to sugar coat or spin that. He deserves as much criticism as Nash, MSL, or McD. All of them having been getting smaller as the stakes have gotten higher.
He just can't let in that many goals in two games. Felt like we were coming on in OT and then an awful goal ends it before we really got a chance. Those are the facts of it.
Nearly everybody played poorly tonight, so we probably got what we deserved. But it was still right there to steal and our best player let us down. That goal was brutal. Damn
If you had said Hanlon, Healy, Weekes, Cloutier, or fuckin Vally it would have made more sense. But the Beez?
Terrible. Must be the only guy's name you could remember.
Yeah, the Beez you f'ing moron. Your head must have been up your tail in the 80's as Johnny made saves standing on his and the let in goals that made fans shake their heads. Lundy just did the same. Now f-off
Say what you want about Nash, but his lack of offense didn't lose us the game tonight.
Henrik hasn't been good enough. 12 goals allowed in two games should get you yanked.
McDonagh was an abomination tonight apart from his goal. Seemingly afraid to do anything remotely physical in the defensive end.
Didn't think Staal had a particularly great night either. Only Ranger at -2 on the night. Made two horrible plays in the offensive zone that led to goals. Missed the net all alone out front, puck comes flying out of the zone, Rangers scramble, Tampa Scores. On the 4 on 4 he threw a wild pass coming from behind the net, same result.
but the cap is supposed to be $70mm next year and go up rapidly from there.
Hank is a guy I gladly will live and die with.
Watching him suck this round is incredibly painful - especially since we know Tampa, NYI and a few other East teams are going to get better and better in coming years and will close the gap or accelerate past us shortly. The window is closing rapidly.
But he's still the guy i'll bet this franchise on the next few years. And in a strange way the way this series has gone is easier closure than last round, where you feel like Hank was personally robbed.
If we lose in the playoffs because of Hank - so be it. We lose because MSL sucks my asshole because shockingly Sather- he's old-- or Nash can't score or assist to save his life even in a 6-5 shootout... that's a lot tougher to stomach than this.
and when 99% of BBI knew it the day the assenine announcements were made... that's a fucking problem.
But to defend McD... its not like last year was his first good pro year. Stralman didn't make him ... cmon now.
For the love of me I cant understand why this team can't slow down TB or NYI. Those styles just drive us nuts and hemorrhage goals - even with Hank in net. Don't forget our wins against NYI came with Talbot in net. Hank just gets exposed big time as do our defenders by this style. So odd.
None of these defensive pairs are playing consistent
If you had said Hanlon, Healy, Weekes, Cloutier, or fuckin Vally it would have made more sense. But the Beez?
Terrible. Must be the only guy's name you could remember.
Yeah, the Beez you f'ing moron. Your head must have been up your tail in the 80's as Johnny made saves standing on his and the let in goals that made fans shake their heads. Lundy just did the same. Now f-off
Your posts no matter what topic are awful. You're like a standing joke around here. Just disappear. No one will miss you.
If you had said Hanlon, Healy, Weekes, Cloutier, or fuckin Vally it would have made more sense. But the Beez?
Terrible. Must be the only guy's name you could remember.
Yeah, the Beez you f'ing moron. Your head must have been up your tail in the 80's as Johnny made saves standing on his and the let in goals that made fans shake their heads. Lundy just did the same. Now f-off
Your posts no matter what topic are awful. You're like a standing joke around here. Just disappear. No one will miss you.
You're just a tampon with zero intelligence that need to be handheld, like a few, in any and messages. Hanlon, Weeks, etc, never reached the heights of Johnny or Lundy. Johnny made amazing saves and then coughed up so e laughers
Right to the achieve (not that you're head has any recall)
>>>Vanbiesbrouck was spectacular at times, fortunate at others. He fanned on a slap shot by Valery Zelepukin in the second period that hit the top of the left post and bounced up and away. He was rescued by a nifty defensive play from Mark Hardy, off a semi-breakaway. He made dramatic saves off Tom Chorske, Laurie Boschman, Stephane Richer and Randy McKay.<<<
but if Henrik has a rough start to game 4 i would pull him.
100% agree withthis.
Hank is our goalie. He will be our goalie while we have him. But this team his his number, they're in his head, and if we need Cam to come in against them, that's gotta be what we do.
What's the matter wise ass? Just gave you a quote from the achives regarding Johnny being brilliant and then giving up a laugher just like Lundy has. Couldn't connect the dots Einstein?
It's not a foregone conclusion it won't happen again. If he gives up a couple early on Friday night I think it's something you have to seriously consider.
We cannot lose Friday night. This isn't a team we'll win 3 straight against.
but it's still his team. If he sucks the next two games and we get bounced in 5 ... then yeah, you have to make a decision about this team's path moving forward - Hank at $8.5mm/year for 6 years into his 40s or Cam at 1 yr and then ??
Personally I don't think this team has the talent up front to compete with NYI, Tampa and Pittsburgh (healthy) near-term, or Florida and some other teams longer-term, with Talbot in net and 1-2 forwards capable of 35-40 goals (one of whom is easily shut down come playoff time) over a full season where all tendencies are exposed - nor do I have the same confidence in a game 7... but with the cap as ridiculously low as it is, I guess it should be explored.
Just absolutely sucks that Hank is playing his worst playoff hockey now in a series when we needed him most (strange to say I know coming off 7 one-goal games in the Washington series). Tampa is our toughest test of the entire postseason, including Finals, and we needed him now more than ever. He's not only been less than elite, he's flat out sucked.
RE: Hank got pulled against MTL last year in the ECF.
It's not a foregone conclusion it won't happen again. If he gives up a couple early on Friday night I think it's something you have to seriously consider.
We cannot lose Friday night. This isn't a team we'll win 3 straight against.
He got pulled in Philly game 6 last year too. The difference is we led 3-1 and 3-2 in those respective series. Now you pull him trailing 1-2 in a series, that could very well be it.
I personally think tonight's overtime was something we absolutely had to have. Hope i'm wrong, but I don't see this group coming back from this. There's always hope -- but we're playing a more talented team and on top of it our best players are playing awful hockey.
Allowing any goal at all? The first goal he's given up in the past 2 games followed massive clusterfucks at the blue line by MSL and Boyle. Would they yank him after something similar to that?
It just seems to me too many people in front of him are playing like dogshit to make it all about the goaltender.
RE: Hank got pulled against MTL last year in the ECF.
It's not a foregone conclusion it won't happen again. If he gives up a couple early on Friday night I think it's something you have to seriously consider.
We cannot lose Friday night. This isn't a team we'll win 3 straight against.
He let in a couple he should have and usually does stop. It's that simple. He needs to play better and I'm confident he will. This game is on him tonight. If he wants his Cup and his ring to cement his legacy he has to earn them night in and night out. I watched many goalies from Roy to Brodeur win Cups their teams had no business winning. Our team is good enough but Hank needs to lead the way for it to happen. This is his chance. He is the best goalie left in these playoffs if he doesn't bring home the Cup it's on him.
RE: RE: Hank got pulled against MTL last year in the ECF.
It's not a foregone conclusion it won't happen again. If he gives up a couple early on Friday night I think it's something you have to seriously consider.
We cannot lose Friday night. This isn't a team we'll win 3 straight against.
Allowing any goal at all? The first goal he's given up in the past 2 games followed massive clusterfucks at the blue line by MSL and Boyle. Would they yank him after something similar to that?
It just seems to me too many people in front of him are playing like dogshit to make it all about the goaltender.
I'm not saying you yank him if he gives up one goal. But if he gives up 2-3 early and they're pucks he should be stopping I think you at least consider making the change.
I wouldn't want to be in AV's shoes in that situation but we can't give another game away now.
Anyway. The Rangers are resilient. A lot of people turned this game off at 4-2 and we wound up in OT. Wish we stole it but we didn't. Now we have to take Game 4.
It's a 2-1 series right now. We're not quite in red alert territory just yet.
if we didn't see this happen throughout the regular season against TB and NYI. They may not be in the players heads, but they're in mine (and I think they're in the players heads)
Its unfathomable to me that a team could score 5+ goals against Hank and this insane salary cap D$ 4 times in 6 games. And have a goalie now TEN and fucking ONE against us now too.
And they are only going to get better in coming years too. Our window is closing fast - I really wish our guys would step it the fuck up and starting playing their best fucking hockey of the season instead of this shitshow.
Was so damn optimistic after game 1 too. Damnit.
RE: RE: RE: Hank got pulled against MTL last year in the ECF.
It's not a foregone conclusion it won't happen again. If he gives up a couple early on Friday night I think it's something you have to seriously consider.
We cannot lose Friday night. This isn't a team we'll win 3 straight against.
Rangers in 7?
6
Based on your above assessment that "this isn't a team we'll win 3 straight against", winning the series in 6 appears to be mathematically really, really difficult.
has to. AV has to be bold here - either go 7 D with hunwick and hybrid yandle or bring up Lindberg - don't care... but time to take this guy off the ice. seriously.
our best chance to get one. Our team is not going to get better, only worse, while everyone around us gets better
I don't think it's a foregone conclusion that we will get worse. Our team is still relatively young. Kreider still has room to develop, as do some other young plays we have (Step, Fast, etc).
Obviously Hank isn't getting younger which could be a problem, but if we hang onto Cam, we could have them split more time between them.
Having said that, everyone in the East is going to improve, and I think they will improve more than us. They will close the gap on us.
we haven't fared well against this team all year and these games are reminiscent of the regular season loses. The Lightning may not be a very structurally disciplined team at this juncture but they've got more than enough fire power to overcome their mistakes. Their head coach, and I agree with Arc, has a smarmy way about him and I often get the feeling he's in over his head, but he's certainly in the right place at the right time. He too can make mistakes on the job and his team will bail him out more often than not.
As far as our Blueshirts go, we've got a nice balance of veteran leadership and youth but our veteran forwards that we count on to produce in the post season (and you know who they are) are either finished or just not suited for playoff style hockey. I hate admitting that but we've all seen the body of work.
Love the nucleus of Kreids, Brass, Zuccie, Step, JT, Hayes, Hags and Fast but outside of them we'll need some more skilled forwards who can create and find the net as well as needing some jam to bull our way through 4 playoff series. Buchnevich's status is a bit unknown. As MAB alluded to, the window is closing and it appears we'll need more to compete with the up and coming conference rivals ...having to scratch out low scoring, one goal games all the way to a cup is asking an awful lot.
The backline is obviously very solid but we all know it's not going to look the same in 2015 - 2016 and 2016 - 2017. Hope Skjei can step in the next year or 2 and be counted on but that too is an unknown. Not sure The Rath is an answer but I sure am rooting for him.
I know the series isn't over but we apoear to have a serious uphill climb even if it is only 2 games to 1.
look at the goals from last night against the Rangers. The OT winner should have been stopped, but most every other goal is a function of horrific D and great TB passing.
You can't put that on Hank.
The main issue to me is that Bishop gives up rebounds on nearly every shot and the Rangers aren't capitalizing enough on their chances while TB is.
If Lundqvist and McDonagh played well, they would have won that game. Fucking infuriating seeing these guys suck last night.
Elliotte Friedman's 30 thoughts comment mentioned that a TB player told him game 6 against MTL was their best game of the season. The team is obviously playing with a lot of confidence and playing much superior hockey relative to the rest of the playoffs. However, last night was just as much on the Rangers' consistent fuck-ups defensively and in net as it was on TB's skill.
Are you suggesting that the Rangers would have been playing last night if Lundquist wasn't playing at an elite level until game 2? Selective memory at its best. Yeah he was lousy last night, but there is no last night without him
Are you suggesting that the Rangers would have been playing last night if Lundquist wasn't playing at an elite level until game 2? Selective memory at its best. Yeah he was lousy last night, but there is no last night without him
I'm unclear on what you're asking? I'm saying the Rangers would have won last night if he played well. Completely agreed that we would have been ousted in round two if he didn't play great then.
I found an article that I think Kyle in NY will like a lot. TSN - ( New Window )
haha well played. It's not that I necessarily think we made the right decision on Stralman/Boyle, just that what's done is done. We're still at this point, not going to get him back. So let's accept what we have.
But it is a discussion board, no harm in discussing it. Just wish we had more positives to work with at this point.
I totally understand your frustration, Kyle, but it's a decision I think could be Cup-costing - and I've probably been Boyle's biggest supporter here.
I think the Rangers start restricting the defensemen's ability to pinch in the offensive zone - McDonagh is brilliant at picking his spots to pinch to generate chances, but guys like Girardi and Staal can't be caught deep.
Also, the Rangers seemed to start playing a bit 'deeper' defensively in the neutral zone in the third to keep shots to the outside which should make a difference over the course of a game.
is that Lunquist has bailed them out and saved their bacon that in the rare playoff games when he needs them to bail him out they didn't
I love hank and totally agree that he has bailed them out countless times. But that is what makes him a star, the offense gave him 5 goals last night, that should be enough of a bail out.
RE: I will tell you who is certainly getting pulled
Team better wake the fuck up and come out flying Friday. Coming back from 3-1 back to back isn't gonna happen
They came out flying in game 3. What they need to do is get their defensive zone coverage straightened out, right now they are running around instead of manning up.
A couple of the Rangers goals were off rebounds. Plus, Bishop generally controls the puck with his glove and passes well out of the net. It isn't like he is usually a rebound machine.
They seem to be a step behind against this team. I don't
is that Lunquist has bailed them out and saved their bacon that in the rare playoff games when he needs them to bail him out they didn't
No question on the first part. And no BBI'er would pretend we'd be here without Hank's performance against the Caps.
But they gave him 5 goals last night - they did bail him out. And he proceeded to give up an incredibly soft OT goal 3 minutes in anyway.
We blame Sather for a lot around here, and I still maintain some of recent moves leave a lot to be desired. But what this team really misses are stars that play like stars when the stakes are highest. And I'm not sure what the guy can do - he tried to bring in Gaborik, the guy tore labrums every postseason and refused to play defense at critical times. He brings in Nash who now has fewer goals than Jesper Fast and Ryan McDonaugh. Hank as much as i love him, he played great last year against MTL and LA... but two years ago against NJ and now this? He's been anything but elite in 2 of the 4 biggest series he's ever played.
It's a cruel joke.
Is what it is - we cannot match their skill. I dont know how we're going to win 3 of 4. Defense needs to tighten up, we have to get MSL out of the lineup, Zuccs needs to be back by game 5 at the very latest, and Hank literally has to stand on his head from here on out.
Still hope, but last night was devastating in a lot of ways.
It wouldn't have been a crime to let Talbot start the 3rd period
Unrealistic to think we'd take both in Tampa. Just needed to split.
Yeah, it would have been easier to get the W last night and play with house money somewhat tomorrow but it didn't happen that way. Now we have to get it tomorrow.
Tampa isn't some unbeatable juggernaut. Good team. The Rangers can beat them.
you never know with the playoffs especially against a high powered team.
Lets remember his one playoff experience last year in game 5 Montreal - he stunk
He stunk his first week or two taking over for Hank this February before he settled in.
I'm not sure he's a guy you can throw in a fire and expect a good outcome. I'd also rather not potentially taint his trade value this offseason by exposing him to maybe a bad playoff game. (although on that point i'm not sure what exactly a guy with one year left on his deal and one month starting experience will net you in trade.. this is not exactly Cory Schneider or Ryan Miller we are talking about here. Low 1st from St Louis or High 2nd round pick and maybe a solid 3rd line Wing?
The outcome sucked, but they fought back from 2-4 and 4-5. Ain't nothing over yet, and you greatly overestimate Tampa as a team.
Yeah, I said the Rangers lost that game just as much as Tampa won it. Credit to them for taking advantage of the Rangers' plethora of fuck-ups, but Tampa is beatable.
I get a kick out of the posters who weren't on Ranger threads all year, show up in the playoffs and then at the first sign of adversity go into "GAME OVER. SERIES OVER. SEASON OVER." mode.
BTW, I try hard not to project emotions on players since I don't know shit, but I felt Lundqvist looked really shaky during all three games. He's flopping around and no longer playing his strong technical game.
Also, he's due for a fucking shutout. Averaged one every 9.2 games this regular season and hasn't had one yet these playoffs.
The outcome sucked, but they fought back from 2-4 and 4-5. Ain't nothing over yet, and you greatly overestimate Tampa as a team.
Their one weakness is their inexperience. Even the coach says "we're only in year 2 of this thing" They arent particularly deep on the blue line, and they arent particularly battle tested.
You beat them with experience and attention to detail. My concerns is we havent done that all year against these mother fuckers... for whatever reason... and for reasons i dont understand, we just havent looked right this entire postseason.
Nice comeback against Washington - but come on, that series never should have been so close. They have 2 maybe 3 guys on their entire roster that can score and they dont have a top pair D-unit.
My only conclusion is that our stars havent played like stars - Nash, MSL, McD. Maybe they can turn it around, but clock is ticking boys - its been 15 games now. Get your heads out of your asses.
he's flopping around because they keep giving up cross passes to wide open guys in a scoring position.
It is a combination of terrible D and crisp passing that is killing the Rangers right now. Bottom line is that TB is converting a lot of open looks while the Rangers aren't. MSL whiffed on an open look and we continue to have those 1-2 breakaways a game that aren't converted.
Lundquist gave up a soft OT goal, but he's not been terrible. The high goal totals are a combination of too many PP chances and a D that is having problems with gap control. In the past two games, he's had a bunch of pucks get behind him that he any goalie would have a difficult time stopping.
We needed to come back to MSG 2-2 to take home-ice advantage back. Hank knows more than anyone how bad he is playing right now and he is the ultimate competitor. I want to believe that he and the defense cant get their shit together and right this ship. The offense is coming around.
This team has had their backs against the wall before, and more often than not, they have responded. I am going to give them the benefit of the doubt here. Just take Game 4 and all will be right again.
Where it looks like none of the defensemen have played together in their lives. It's irritating. Good for Tampa for taking advantage, but the Rangers are making it easy for them.
RE: RE: I will tell you who is certainly getting pulled
There have been several occasions where TB swung the puck to a wide open guy on the right circle who unloaded it towards an open net, more in game 2 than game 3 IIRC.
It's like the Rangers are still getting used to TB's speed after those plodding series against Pitt and Washington.
There have been several occasions where TB swung the puck to a wide open guy on the right circle who unloaded it towards an open net, more in game 2 than game 3 IIRC.
It's like the Rangers are still getting used to TB's speed after those plodding series against Pitt and Washington.
They play like the old Penguins. Everybody looks to cut to the net.
at least with the confidence they're playing with right now compared to how our top forwards are playing.
But we are capable of defending at a much higher level than them. Their Stralman/Hedman pair is excellent. It's pedestrian beyond that on D. We should be the better defensive team. We saw it in game 1 (which feels like a lifetime ago now). It is possible against this group. But that one fucking line is just killing us.
My point is, we know our group is capable of preventing goals at a higher level than this. We just saw it as recently as two games ago. This is still a competitive and very winnable series if we can get back to that.
Don't forget, we still put up 5 on them last night. Bishop can be beaten and when we get the forecheck working on their D, we generate a ton of chances. Powerplay has been very successful too in this series.
Don't forget, we still put up 5 on them last night. Bishop can be beaten and when we get the forecheck working on their D, we generate a ton of chances. Powerplay has been very successful too in this series.
That forecheck is both helping and hurting though right? When it doesnt generate the turnover or disrupt, they are generating odd man rushes and converting at an unbelievably high clip.
Honestly, when your goalie is playing poorly, AV's system - which i otherwise like - can look ugly at times. We rely so much on Hank back there and he usually delivers. ughh.
And man we need Zuccs to come in and replace MSL. I need some good news today - he travelled with the team, maybe he'll skate with the team today or something.
and God willing hopefully he can walk again one day.
No thanks - Fear the Beard.
Blame Ryan McDonagh.
You know, the guy who lifted Hank's mask just enough to let the puck almost kill him, the guy who sniped Zuccarello in the back of the head, fell asleep at the wheel in the closing seconds of Game 1 vs WSH and the guy who has fucking sucked for the majority of the playoffs.
Someone needs to take fuckin' control here. I got this shit.
Don't forget, we still put up 5 on them last night. Bishop can be beaten and when we get the forecheck working on their D, we generate a ton of chances. Powerplay has been very successful too in this series.
That forecheck is both helping and hurting though right? When it doesnt generate the turnover or disrupt, they are generating odd man rushes and converting at an unbelievably high clip.
Honestly, when your goalie is playing poorly, AV's system - which i otherwise like - can look ugly at times. We rely so much on Hank back there and he usually delivers. ughh.
And man we need Zuccs to come in and replace MSL. I need some good news today - he travelled with the team, maybe he'll skate with the team today or something.
Yeah I don't wanna say we should start playing Trotz or Torts style hockey and just clog it up. Because that's not this team's style and it's not what got us here. But maybe the pinching should be limited to guys like McD, who has the skating ability to do it. Or guys like Boyle, who has shown pretty good instincts for it and has actually scored some net front goals, like last night.
We're just giving up way too many breaks or odd man rushes the other way and it feels like they're literally scoring on every one of them.
That top line is just way too comfortable right now. I would say to get physical with them, but that's not really how our D plays. And we saw what happened when Kreider when out of his way to hit one of them on the 5th goal.
He had some games that were the primary reason we are even still playing. That said, he does deserve some blame. There is no question the D played terrbily in Games 2 and 3. However, a few of those goals were ones Hank should have stopped and normally would have stopped, regardless of the play in front of him. But, there is no way in Hell I have anyone but him in net for any remaining games. And, as long as the Rangers keep a game close, I am not pulling him either.
His game 7 record is practically superhuman. It just hasn't all come together for his teams at the same time to result in the ultimate goal, for whatever reason.
His playoff numbers are excellent across a large sample size. He just had a bad game last night. It doesn't have to be more than that. Unfortunately it came at a terrible time.
and God willing hopefully he can walk again one day.
No thanks - Fear the Beard.
Blame Ryan McDonagh.
You know, the guy who lifted Hank's mask just enough to let the puck almost kill him, the guy who sniped Zuccarello in the back of the head, fell asleep at the wheel in the closing seconds of Game 1 vs WSH and the guy who has fucking sucked for the majority of the playoffs.
Someone needs to take fuckin' control here. I got this shit.
Fell asleep in game 1, made a shit effort on Ovechkin's goal in game 2, had a terrible turnover that led to the GWG in game 4, made numerous terrible plays (and terrible turnovers that eventually led to a PP TB scored on) last night...
that he sucked. The OT goal was a killer and shouldn't have gotten past him, but he stopped a breakaway moments before. TB is literally shooting on him at point blank range for most of the game and is getting wide open looks. Very few goalies can stop those shots.
If a guy has time to pinpoint his location and shoot it with speed, there is little Hank can do. That's on the D.
yes, last night was a gut shot, and seeing Hank turn in back to back clunkers is weird to all of us
But this series is far from over. We tighten things up a bit, win game 4, then face a 3 game series with 2 games at home
Yes, it sucks that the 2 big guns we brought in who were supposed to deliver this time of year (Nash and MSL) are MIA...but it's also been fun to see guys like Stepan, Brassard, Moore, and Fast grow up during these playoffs
my man-crush on Lundqvist is thoroughly unhealthy. There hasnt been an athlete i wanted to see win a trophy more than this in maybe my lifetime (Eli was still pretty young when he won his).
He's awesome - he's the only reason we're here - he's stolen us lots of games in the past. No one is disputing any of this.
But they scored him 5 goals last night - legends and champions dont blow that. He did. He's still got a chance to get us back in this thing, and hopefully he will.
win or lose, I still love the guy and want him to retire a Ranger. That's not the point.
He gave up 6 goals, at least two of them were directly his fault and the other 4 - well there is a very fine line between Champions and really, really good players.
Yes, the D can be better in front of him too.
I dont doubt a lot of this is bad luck - i just think Champions rise to the occassion and play their best when the stakes are highest. Eli has. Jeter & Rivera have. I'd love Hank to join that company.
RE: The first goal was really bad too, not just the OT goal
I dont doubt a lot of this is bad luck - i just think Champions rise to the occassion and play their best when the stakes are highest. Eli has. Jeter & Rivera have. I'd love Hank to join that company.
Pretty must spot on and I agree with your passion for seeing Henrik win one. It's a 7 game series. He'll bounce back. Don't forget Rivera also blown a couple saves that would have gotten the Yanks another shot at adding another ring. He bounced back. So will Henrik.
Rangers in 7.
RE: RE: It wouldn't have been a crime to let Talbot start the 3rd period
Lightening power play has been superb, not just against the Rangers, but everybody. I've never seen Lundqvist let in so many goals in back to back games -- but, even if he put together two games where he was less than great, I do not think it's all on him. The D just has to be better. Those passes in the Rangers' end have to be interrupted, challenged more. Game four is pretty much a must win.
Will go down as the greatest Rangers player whether he gets a cup or not. He's done everything he can possibly do to win a cup. He had 2 bad games back to back, shit happens. Dont quite get the if he deserves a cup he needs to step up.
FMIC is right with the defense being bad. Your team wanted to play this style of hockey but maybe they should try to change it to the grinding playoff hockey that they have dominated the past few years in the playoffs. If they can get into that style vs tampa they could probably be winning 3-1 games. Bishop can be beat.
he's up there and i know the Rangers have a pretty sad history so bar fairly low..... but "Greatest Ranger ever"?
I do think you've still got to win one to claim that. Whether its his fault or whatever, that's just the way it is. Many people i know still consider Richter to be the best Rangers goalie ever, let alone player.
Ridiculous, I know - Richter for his career was 90% save pct and 2.9 GAA... but this business is about championships, fair or unfair. Is what it is.
As far as the Rangers, absolutely have to win one in Tampa here at minimum. Get it out of the way tonight so that Friday is slightly less tense and hang onto home ice.
I suspect the Rangers will be much more disciplined tonight. Hopefully the refs actually let the teams play a little bit.
#LGR
MSL seems the bigger concern. Nash has turned into Brian Boyle, but MSL seems like a double-agent sabotaging from the inside.
Quote:
Nash better start scoring actual points soon
MSL seems the bigger concern. Nash has turned into Brian Boyle, but MSL seems like a double-agent sabotaging from the inside.
I agree. I joked that he was re-living his glory days and was once again the best player on the ice for the Lightning the other night.
does this mean Marty is benched?
#LFGR
Don't quit your day job. Crickets, bro.
Still feel like the Beard should be getting more burn this postseason, but i'll guess we'll give Brettsky -yet- another shot tonight.
Quote:
Get back to being a disciplined team. And as AV said in Pittsburgh, "the big boys need to show up in their big boy pants"
does this mean Marty is benched?
#LFGR
One can only hope
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I joked that he was re-living his glory days and was once again the best player on the ice for the Lightning the other night.
Don't quit your day job. Crickets, bro.
Still feel like the Beard should be getting more burn this postseason, but i'll guess we'll give Brettsky -yet- another shot tonight.
Logged on to BBI at 8 this morning all amped for the morning skate and Brettsky was already out on the ice
Say what you want...but the kid is dedicated
which is nice
Time for Nash to score. I don't have a lot of hope for Marty, guy is 40 years old. But it's still there for Nash physically. Now is the time.
Pittsburgh - Win
2014:
Pittsburgh - Loss
Philly - Win
2013: not applicable
2012:
NJ - Win
Washington - 3OT Win (by the way, Duncan Keith played 50 minutes last night ... holy shit)
Ottawa - Win
So 5-2... not too shabby. None of us wants a must win game Friday on the road against a team we have to be struggling for confidence against at this point (1-9 vs Bishop) - tonight is huge.
So 7-6 overall since 2011 in game 3.
All of which is obviously irrelevant as far as tonight goes. We need to pot 4 - i dont care who scores, but obviously its tough to improve offense efficiency without your best players contributing.
AV called them out after game 2 - said Johnson & TB's big boys have elevated their games... ours need to now too. And that includes some of our "offensive Defensemen" in that too (looking at you, Yandle).
Tampa really doesn't scare me 5v5.
Maybe we can win 3-2 or something.... but i really, really doubt we can win 2-1 again against a team with this much firepower. When you give the PPs and odd man rushes... they bury them.
I feel the Rangers come out like a mad hornet tonight and get an early lead. they will steamroll the Lightning.
Hopefully for their sake astronaut man doesn't get close to Henrik, he got in Price's head.
I feel the Rangers come out like a mad hornet tonight and get an early lead. they will steamroll the Lightning.
Hopefully for their sake astronaut man doesn't get close to Henrik, he got in Price's head.
Just bet my entire net worth on the Lightning tonight. Thanks for getting me rich, pj, but fuck you for ruining my hockey team!
Seriously, I'll wager on the game and give you a goal, not being a douche. I think the Rangers win this one (and might not lose again this series).
The only question I have is astronaut man/woman.
3-2.
When I wrote here a month ago that he should have called out Nash instead of Kreider I was crucified by nearly everyone. Even emailed that thought to Larry. It's a little fucking late, the guy is a proven playoff flop. 7 goals in 55 career games. Dave Anderchuck was called Anderchoke for years and he scored at twice the per game rate of Nash, and at 68% of his own regular season pace. Mike Keenan said he couldn't win with Mike Gartner who scored at 72% of his regular season rate. Nash scores at 29% of his regular season pace.
Seriously, I'll wager on the game and give you a goal, not being a douche. I think the Rangers win this one (and might not lose again this series).
The only question I have is astronaut man/woman.
Lol - there were three times in my life I was close to betting on my team but decided against it - 2011 when the Giants lost to the Redskins and were at almost 100-1 odds for the Super Bowl, last year when the Rangers were down 3-1 to the Penguins, and this year when down 3-1 to the Caps. I don't know why I didn't pull the trigger then since I expected losses in those scenarios and I perceived the risk/reward as asymmetrical in my favor, but I certainly don't bet on my team when I actually think they'll win - it only exacerbates the damage.
So no, go fuck yourself, pj.
I also don't really believe in jinxes/superstitions, etc.
Nash does a lot of the little things to help, though. I'm not seeing any of that out of MSL right now.
If Nash doesn't score, but he's working for the puck, we still have Stepan, Kreider and Brassard who have stepped up.
But a Nash goal would be damn nice!
Every year my company has business event in Vegas and I bet every year on the Patriots to win the SB. Finally paid off.
I would never bet on my team unless it was a hedge.
I don't believe in jinxes either, but I do get a little superstitious (or a little stitous as Eli says)
I feel like the refs call tripping every time a player goes down in general, regardless of whether they were actually tripped. I know the plays happen at high speed but it seems like the refs drop the ball on those calls a lot.
Nash does a lot of the little things to help, though. I'm not seeing any of that out of MSL right now.
If Nash doesn't score, but he's working for the puck, we still have Stepan, Kreider and Brassard who have stepped up.
But a Nash goal would be damn nice!
It's just annoying because they're chances we watched him convert on all year long but as soon as he gets those same ones in the playoffs, he can never bury it.
Rick Nash with a clear path to the goalie was almost an automatic goal throughout most of the regular season. Now? It's a sure bet he will get stopped.
Also, the Rangers being tripped on the boards is getting almost comical.
I guess there are guys who rise to the occasion and are at their best in big spots and then there are guys like Nash.. who don't seem to ever embrace the big moment and deliver. He seems like a guy who would never trust himself to come through with a goal with everything on the line. But what the hell do I know.
But last year and this year when we're a team with more scoring depth and he doesn't have to be THE GUY every night for us to win? It's not even like a monumental amount of pressure is on him to score every night.
Just give us.. something. More than a goal per SERIES isn't asking a whole lot..
Sure will be a nice cap savings and at least one good player should come n return.
Hope Nash figures out how to score. No way this organization or fans forgive him if the Rangers lose and he fails to score more.
And only reason we're a #1 seed is because of his regular season efforts.
These are the players Sather bet on -- better or worse -- hopefully he can get it going, and Hank can steal us a few more games in the meanwhile.
Besides, if they dealt him in the offseason we all know he's just going to pull a Gaborik for his new team and pot 15 next postseason elsewhere. Guys like this just need to get going... get their confidence going.... then... you ride guys like this to a Cup.
But man, can we just get this guy the fuck going please.
Seems like the only streaks we've seen from him during Spring time hockey are ice cold.
It's never going to be the full $7.8 million b/c something will come back in return.
Edmonton is potentially a good trading partner. Send them Nash and Talbot for Taylor Hall. Hall makes $6 million per year and they're going to draft McDavid. Think the Oilers have better shot at the playoffs with
McDavid & Hall
or
McDavid, Nash & Talbot
It would cost the Oilers approx. $2.9 million for that deal and save the Rangers $2.9 million and they get younger.
Also, Nash's contract expires two years before Hall's which may or may not appeal to Edmonton (or NY).
I'm sure I could find more potential deals. Everybody is tradable in the NHL.
A 33 game slump? That's almost half a season. Since March 1, 7 goals 33 games including playoffs. Which is far ahead of his lifetime playoff pace of 7 goals in 55 games.
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Nash will be near impossible to move.
It's never going to be the full $7.8 million b/c something will come back in return.
Edmonton is potentially a good trading partner. Send them Nash and Talbot for Taylor Hall. Hall makes $6 million per year and they're going to draft McDavid. Think the Oilers have better shot at the playoffs with
McDavid & Hall
or
McDavid, Nash & Talbot
It would cost the Oilers approx. $2.9 million for that deal and save the Rangers $2.9 million and they get younger.
Also, Nash's contract expires two years before Hall's which may or may not appeal to Edmonton (or NY).
I'm sure I could find more potential deals. Everybody is tradable in the NHL.
I nominate you as Slats heir apparent! :-)
We know Hagelin is not a great goal scorer and it's not his role. Hayes is a rookie who they have gotten more out of than any of us could have expected. Don't blame a kid and a guy whose job is to skate, hound and agitate. Blame the veteran guy whose job it is to score.
Bottom line though, if he can't get anything going in this series then it's not going to happen. The ice is wide open and nobody is going to make him pay the price for going to those tough areas.
Hagelin and Haynes have given us more than we expected.
Both have driven to the net (unlike Nash)
Both have played very hard on the boards (shocked Hagelin has but he's been very tough on the board)
Both have back checked well
Hagelin has used his speed and forced himself in position to get a shot and sometimes we get a rebound.
Those two may not be lighting the lamp but they're working their tails off and creating more opportunities than one Rick Nash IMO.
Chiarelli fleeced Toronto in the Kessell trade and did well to acquire Seidenberg, but has been awful trading otherwise (IMO).
I like him as a GM, but trading is not his forte.
Nash likes to float freely into the middle, take his time, use his reach and score.
When teams take away the middle he's lost. He doesn't drive to the net, he can't skate freely, his reach loses the puck in traffic, he can't his time and he doesn't score.
It's not a streak or streaky. The guy doesn't adapt.
I'm not saying play reckless or take bad penalties but play like you give a damn and are determined to make something happen.
Well I didn't have him on the phone nor did the same source that shared the Zucs info at the flying puck contract me but I though we have a debate being the topic came up. Kinda like having a debate about Flores at SS without the emotional tampons chiming in and tripping over their strings.
Miller's had so many chances - it's unbelievable he hasn't netted one.
He could be the difference. I like the kid.
I'm not saying play reckless or take bad penalties but play like you give a damn and are determined to make something happen.
Not sure if it translated on TV Monday night, but he was flying, hitting, and finishing checks.
I do understand people's pent up frustration with the stats, but it has seems odd to me that the Nash-bashing from many fans peaked after game 2. He was not among our top 5 problems in the game.
His +/-, his checking, his board work and his ability to create chances ahs been impressive, but when you are the leading scorer on the team, it is expected you will score. Look at all the heat Gaborik took here, and then he leaves the Rangers and was very effective in the playoffs last year.
Nash isn't useless like MSL has been, but he is getting heat for not doing putting the puck in the net - at an alarmingly low rate.
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I'd just like to see Nash play with some edge. Mix it up with someone a little bit. Hit someone harder rather than just finishing a check like you're obligated to do it and force your way into the crease and in front of the net. Make Bishop know you're there.
I'm not saying play reckless or take bad penalties but play like you give a damn and are determined to make something happen.
Not sure if it translated on TV Monday night, but he was flying, hitting, and finishing checks.
I do understand people's pent up frustration with the stats, but it has seems odd to me that the Nash-bashing from many fans peaked after game 2. He was not among our top 5 problems in the game.
But how long do we keep giving him a pass for just doing the other stuff. We can pay a player 2M per year to do what he's doing right now. Love that he's trying and I know he wants to score more than anyone here even realizes but we are firmly in "put up or shut up" territory now and the longer he fails to make an impact on the scoreboard, the louder the criticism is going to get.
It's past the point of excuses. Guy has to get it going already or else we're going to get eliminated. I don't think we can win 7 more playoff games without him having any impact in the way of point production. I just don't.
All of the things people are saying w/r/t Nash are deserved.
My frustration with Brassard's penalties and MSLs utter suckitude were greater in the aftermath of that game.
Playing with better discipline tonight is obviously priority #1.
BINGO!
Playing with better discipline and not tripping over our own feet... repeatedly... is obviously priority #1 tonight....
It's sad to see. Richards was never this bad here.
Marty's actively hurting the team with the constant turnovers, the falling down whenever anyone brushes up against him, the missing wide open nets. Has he won a single scrum for the puck on the boards in the postseason? If he has, I must have missed it.
For Torts to bench his buddy, you knew he had to be pitiful.
He wasn't as bad last year, he was pretty good in the first couple rounds but after the goal he scored in Game 1 vs MTL he totally fell off.
I wouldn't be surprised if that happens. I'd imagine AV regrets not going with Miller over Richards last year and doesn't want to repeat the mistake of holding out hope on an old fuck again.
+1
Richards couldn't keep up with anybody and the puck jumped all over his stick. He was a mess. St Louis is demonstrating better wheels than Richards but his decisions with the puck are awful.
Adam Gretz of cbssports picked us to win 3-2 tonight.
Gretz has been wrong now 6 consecutive games. Almost impossible to do.
Between him and pjcas -- those anti-indicators are just too much to overcome.
Adam Gretz of cbssports picked us to win 3-2 tonight.
Gretz has been wrong now 6 consecutive games. Almost impossible to do.
Between him and pjcas -- those anti-indicators are just too much to overcome.
And don't forget a certain unnamed regular poster who said, and I'm paraphrasing, the Lightning should win 1 possibly 2 games this series. I don't understand how anyone who watched these two teams play each other during the regular season can feel that way let alone say it.
Sure, it's the playoffs, circumstances are different and the Lightning may not have been lights out in the Montreal series but that has no bearing on the next round and matchup.
Looking for a vintage Rangers road game tonight where everyone pays attention to the details and takes care of business.
Let's Go Rangers!!!
Thought that might get your dander up a bit.
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Adam Gretz of cbssports picked us to win 3-2 tonight.
Gretz has been wrong now 6 consecutive games. Almost impossible to do.
Between him and pjcas -- those anti-indicators are just too much to overcome.
And don't forget a certain unnamed regular poster who said, and I'm paraphrasing, the Lightning should win 1 possibly 2 games this series. I don't understand how anyone who watched these two teams play each other during the regular season can feel that way let alone say it.
Sure, it's the playoffs, circumstances are different and the Lightning may not have been lights out in the Montreal series but that has no bearing on the next round and matchup.
Looking for a vintage Rangers road game tonight where everyone pays attention to the details and takes care of business.
Let's Go Rangers!!!
I don't understand why you say unnamed poster like a flaming vagina, but what I said was they could win a game or two based on superior skill - which leaves the possibility open for them winning others due to Bishop, a Ranger fuck up, or the inevitable toss-up game (we saw part of the first two in game two, as well as the high end skill).
Go get a Callahan jersey and root for the Lightning if you're going to be such a fucking pussy.
Still, Rangers in 5.
#teamarc
Probably not, with the Yandle and Boyle ballerinas tip toeing all over the defensive end acting out the Nutcracker on Ice.
Goddamned amateur hour.
God fucking dammit.
Taking advantage of their stupidity
He made up for Game 2 when he put it right into Bishop's pad when 3-3 looked almost certain
Where is doc?
He's absolutely terrible. Greg will say Laughlin is worse (thankfully I've never been subjected to him) but this guy is as bad as anyone I've ever heard.
We've seen this before.
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He's THAT boring.
Where is doc?
Doing games 3 and 4 of WCF.
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He's THAT boring.
He's absolutely terrible. Greg will say Laughlin is worse (thankfully I've never been subjected to him) but this guy is as bad as anyone I've ever heard.
It's not even his content. Just the way he speaks.
We've seen this before.
Ranger Radio ESPN 98.7FM - ( New Window )
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TB scores the next one and the momentum is completely flipped.
We've seen this before.
Yup, a 3 goal lead is where want to be.
think it took a bounce right at the end, he had wide open net if he gets his stick on it
Smh
Nash has gotten a handful of great scoring opportunities off the PK. I don't like that idea. I don't think there's a correlation.
2. They need to wipe that 'I'm smarter than everyone else' smirk off of Cooper's face.
These assholes are getting a ton of cheap shots. Glass needs to bash one of their faces in.
It was almost impressive how much he missed the net by.
Speak of the devil, Hedman embellishes a little hold from Brassard and the Rangers are shorthanded
McDonagh sucks.
McDonagh responsible for both goals tonight.
We're going to lose this game after having a 3-0 lead. Klein and Kreider absolutely lost.
Pathetic showing by our D...truly dreadful
Dan Boil is getting dominated all over the ice. The idiot TB fans should be cheering with joy every time he gets the puck.
They look old and slow.
Didn't think I'd ever say that about these guys.
Terrible.
2) Girardi was a dog on #2.
3) Kline screwed up #3
So much for our Great D men!
King doesn't show up and we can't score total shit effort!
Does that sum it up? I believe so!
I was referring to him trying to dangle in the offensive zone and getting worked. Shit was embarrassing.
They are kicking our ass in every way. This might be a short series the other way. Fuck
While their top guys like Stamkos, Palat, and Johnson absolutely dominate us.
Clown show by these guys.
Fast!!!!
Only guy besides Hank playing tonight.
Love the King but losing to Washington would have made me feel a lot sorrier for his legacy than this.
He's given up 10 goals in 5 periods. His game sucks right now too.
Klein, McDonagh, and Girardi have been awful.
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by his teammates. Pathetic.
Love the King but losing to Washington would have made me feel a lot sorrier for his legacy than this.
He's given up 10 goals in 5 periods. His game sucks right now too.
Pffft. The guy has made at least a half dozen unreal saves tonight to keep it this close. It's the defense that sucks cock.
I'm not shedding a tear for any of these guys right now
We will probably lose this game and be down in the series but
At least go out there and play like a bunch of professionals and not some half drunken beer league idiots
Him the Invisible Man Rick Nash better get their shit together.
And fucking switch up the goddamn defensive pairings. Put Staal with Girardi, McDonagh with Boyle and Klein with Yandle. The pairings we have now are blowing chunks and are getting exposed by Tyler Johnson and Co.
I'm not shedding a tear for any of these guys right now
We will probably lose this game and be down in the series but
At least go out there and play like a bunch of professionals and not some half drunken beer league idiots
Leave us beer league idiots alone.
Klein, McDonagh, and Girardi have been awful.
Klein has not been awful, he made two great plays last period. They have one freaking line(albeit the best we faced this year) and should be able to stop them.
Klein, McDonagh, and Girardi have been awful.
have to see the replay again, it looked like Killorn was Staal's man on the 4th goal. It was a good play by Killorn and a sick shot, but can't give the puck carrier that much room.
he's steady otherwise IMO.
game is far from over. ride the Kreider line. shorten the bench, stay out of the box, Rangers win the period
Klein, McDonagh, and Girardi have been awful.
Staal is a -2 and both goals came right off awful plays in the offensive zone by him. And his sliding barrel roll into Boyle was a wonderful play.
I don't know...that 2nd period looked like a series of mental errors that we haven't seen often from them. The Rangers don't look like they're making the proper plays at a fast enough tempo; some of it is physical but some of it is mental too. The defense certainly seems overwhelmed
No problem, King....
I mean, fuck Roenick
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.
No problem, King....
I mean, fuck Roenick
Lol, I typed that before I saw your post. I submitted mine like three seconds befor Jr said it on air.
A bit too late to scratch him at this point though. Seriously, don't bury Miller just because we have the great Marty St. Louis. St. Louis, aside from ten seconds, has been absolutely terrible all playoffs.
Frustrating. These mental lapses need to stop.
It's not always going to be pretty.
20 minutes to go. Tie this fucking thing up and then go from there.
Frustrating. These mental lapses need to stop.
They did look this dominant in a couple of the games in the Detroit series...Mrazek almost pulled off a miracle in net
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didn't look anywhere near this in the first 2 rounds, outside of maybe game 6 last series.
Frustrating. These mental lapses need to stop.
They did look this dominant in a couple of the games in the Detroit series...Mrazek almost pulled off a miracle in net
Game 1, which they lost. And maybe game 6.
They were outplayed in every other game of that series.
Division opponents know you well and tend to play uglier games. And players always say the first round is the toughest to get out of.
Especially with their young group, we were all hoping Detroit would KO them for a reason - even if it meant Carey Price in the ECF. This team is loaded and can beat you in so many ways. And they are all under 30 - they are going to win multiple Cups.
We're not playing particularly well, but when a team offensively pushes your shit in - despite all this investment in G and D - in 5 of 6 games now... reality is hitting hard right now.
We have to steal this game somehow and then Hank is going to have to find his game fast. He needs to steal 2 games for us. I understand these are tough saves - this guy wants to win a Cup, he's going to have to stand on his head this series. IT's that simple.
Maybe MSL is getting benched.
And we've scored 4 goals.
We gave him 4 goals tonight - he needs to lead us now.
I think you're right.
BTW, do the refs hold off blowing the whistle for Bishop or am I imagining things? It makes sense given his propensity to play the puck (and is more likely to work in our favor than TB's).
I wouldn't criticize him if he tried that and lost the puck.
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needs to put Johnson on his ass.
Paging Tanner Glass.
can't take the 5 minute major for that now...gotta get through this game first before you think about that
Best he's looked in the playoffs. Maybe he's getting healthy.
Nash has to step it the fuck up here. He just has to. Every other "superstar" on this ice has stepped up their game. It's a game of inches. Our guy has to show up.
Hard to cry for his Cup -- he's given up 11 goals in 2 games. Yeah, I know not enough help... he has to play well for us to win and he's just not.
This isn't the Rangers fucking up. Tampa is a high octane offense.
That being said, I totally expect New York to tie this up.
To this point, he hasn't. They had very few chances in game 1.
This isn't the Rangers fucking up. Tampa is a high octane offense.
That being said, I totally expect New York to tie this up.
Leaving guys wide open in front of the net is not fucking up? Falling over your own 2 feet leading to a breakaway is not fucking up?
I'm done watching MSL sabotage our season. At this point AV has to make a switch. It's over. Move on. Lindberg or Bourque, don't give a shit who - but its time to move on.
Tampa is forcing them into mind numbing mistakes. That for whatever reason Tampa couldn't force Montreal or Detroit into
You seem like a nice guy, I get your a Giants fan... but I cant fathom going by myself to a thread with 100 (pick a team) fans and just talking up my team when they take the lead.
Its obnoxious.
Can't shove your whistle up your ass now refs
Yeah, after Stamkos held him the entire way
O ye of little faith!!!
MSL will get the GWG
And like I said, Rangers score and we're back to even.
Hah!
Hard to cry for his Cup -- he's given up 11 goals in 2 games. Yeah, I know not enough help... he has to play well for us to win and he's just not.
You were saying?
We ALL respect Tampa's talent (well... except Arc). And no matter what happens this series, they remind me basically of many young dynasties in that they can beat you in so many ways. Devils, young Avalanche teams, the '08 Penguins, Blackhawks... you name it. Your stars are all under 25.
We're just trying to steal a series before your guys get the postseason experience when they'll be battle tested and even stronger in the future.
We don't need you on after every Tampa goal telling us how this team can score in bunches. Go tell your Tampa Lightning fans that shit. Frankly - no shit.
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Hank isn't exactly stepping up this series.
Hard to cry for his Cup -- he's given up 11 goals in 2 games. Yeah, I know not enough help... he has to play well for us to win and he's just not.
You were saying?
I was saying we have 5 goals tonight and didn't win (yet). He like the other "stars" on this team have to elevate their game big time.
Hang in there. We need you.
Yet McDonagh goes unscathed...
Ouch...
Nash - the opposite.
This has the feel of that crazy February Islanders game by the way... except final score. Who knows. I honestly feel like this OT is our season.
LGR!!!
As much as I like Staal and feel like he's played well... he is -8 this postseason. I mean WTF.
Mr. Yandle
Simply not good enough.
Nash - the opposite.
This has the feel of that crazy February Islanders game by the way... except final score. Who knows. I honestly feel like this OT is our season.
McDonagh's been very noticeable in a bad way. He has been a much worse hockey player than Nash.
He is playing terribly. If it continues, our season is over on sunday night
Absolutely pathetic by Hank. He really shit the bed.
Horrific.
This game was a comprehensive failure. It wouldn't be fair to McD among others if we pinned it on Hank.
He got 5 goals tonight. I don't care who you wanna single out for most of them. That is terrible by him, and the winner was worst of all.
And does that include the terrible giveaway that led to Brassard's penalty?
Hard to shit on Henrik when he's been so lights out for us and gotten us this far.
Pathetic game from him. Worst he has had in a long time
Do you ever make any fucking sense?
Please don't post again.
yandle
Yandle did.
your stars have to be stars... their's have elevated their game, ours have sucked. Hard to weep for Hank's Cup when he plays like this. 5+ allowed to Tampa now in 4 of 6 games. It's pathetic. It'd be pathetic for Halak or anyone average.
Jesper Fast and some others kept us in the game tonight, but Hank, Nash, McD and others just aren't getting it done.
I'm sorry you have to drive 4 hours after watching this tonight Mook.
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Good Lord
Do you ever make any fucking sense?
Please don't post again.
Johnny used to give up easy goals after incredible saves so STFU kid
Hard to shit on Henrik when he's been so lights out for us and gotten us this far.
He's supposed to be the best player on our team. Don't care what he's done to get us here, 12 goals in 2 games is pathetic. We should not lose a game that we score 5 goals in.
Tampa was not playing anywhere near this in the first two series.
They had 13 goals in the first 5 games of last series. 13 in 3 games here.
10 in the first 5 against detroit.
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but which of the defensemen played well? Not a damn one.
Yandle did.
Well, forgive me then... 1 out of 6 defensemen didn't completely shit his pants tonights.
But its really tough to watch the way he's failed this series when the team needs him so badly. tonight is frankly solely on him.
They need to pull MSL from the lineup. That's obvious. But a separate issue.
But they need to get Hank right somehow because he's Tampa's absolute fucking bitch right now. 5+ in 4 of 6 games to them.
Right? The 3rd period opened with Staal and Girardi and all seemed good and...lo and behold, we're back to the sieve pairing of McDonagh and Girardi.
Hank is a guy that transcends the Rangers jersey. I rare breed. I'll always have his back - but you cant play like he's played the last 2 games and expect to win a Cup or be called a Champion.
As Britt said maybe a week ago, Champions earn that title and Hank fairly or unfairly has yet to earn it. He hasn't stepped up one bit in this series or against this particular team all season.
Terrible. Must be the only guy's name you could remember.
This makes game 3 a must win. We cannot expect to come back from 3-1 twice in a row.
What a disaster. Hank lost us this game.
He immaturely reacted to the big hit he took late. Gotta be smarter than that.
Nearly everybody played poorly tonight, so we probably got what we deserved. But it was still right there to steal and our best player let us down. That goal was brutal. Damn
Terrible. Must be the only guy's name you could remember.
Yeah, the Beez you f'ing moron. Your head must have been up your tail in the 80's as Johnny made saves standing on his and the let in goals that made fans shake their heads. Lundy just did the same. Now f-off
Say what you want about Nash, but his lack of offense didn't lose us the game tonight.
Henrik hasn't been good enough. 12 goals allowed in two games should get you yanked.
McDonagh was an abomination tonight apart from his goal. Seemingly afraid to do anything remotely physical in the defensive end.
Didn't think Staal had a particularly great night either. Only Ranger at -2 on the night. Made two horrible plays in the offensive zone that led to goals. Missed the net all alone out front, puck comes flying out of the zone, Rangers scramble, Tampa Scores. On the 4 on 4 he threw a wild pass coming from behind the net, same result.
Sieve?? Oh my god shut the fuck up.
Maybe this team has our number, the way the Vikings had Eli's but sieve? Please, go fuck yourself or go root for another team.
Tonight isn't the night to be all butterflies and roses to Hank, but to call him a sieve is just fucking bullshit, regardless of your disclaimer.
My friends give me a lot of shit for being a negative Rangers fan, but calling Hank a sieve and implying we're "stuck" with him is fucking bullshit.
I am literally sick to my fucking stomach. We should have had this game.
Am I overreacting, or does this seem like a pivotal game that will cost us the series?
Are they in our head? Particularly Hanks? 12 goals in 6 games? I mean WTF.
This really really really sucks.
Hank is a guy I gladly will live and die with.
Watching him suck this round is incredibly painful - especially since we know Tampa, NYI and a few other East teams are going to get better and better in coming years and will close the gap or accelerate past us shortly. The window is closing rapidly.
But he's still the guy i'll bet this franchise on the next few years. And in a strange way the way this series has gone is easier closure than last round, where you feel like Hank was personally robbed.
If we lose in the playoffs because of Hank - so be it. We lose because MSL sucks my asshole because shockingly Sather- he's old-- or Nash can't score or assist to save his life even in a 6-5 shootout... that's a lot tougher to stomach than this.
Just win, baby.
What a shitty 28 hours for New York teams. Rangers lose a heartbreaker. Knicks get the 4th pick and the Giants lose their starting Left Tackle.
Not crazy at all. I agree
But to defend McD... its not like last year was his first good pro year. Stralman didn't make him ... cmon now.
For the love of me I cant understand why this team can't slow down TB or NYI. Those styles just drive us nuts and hemorrhage goals - even with Hank in net. Don't forget our wins against NYI came with Talbot in net. Hank just gets exposed big time as do our defenders by this style. So odd.
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If you had said Hanlon, Healy, Weekes, Cloutier, or fuckin Vally it would have made more sense. But the Beez?
Terrible. Must be the only guy's name you could remember.
Yeah, the Beez you f'ing moron. Your head must have been up your tail in the 80's as Johnny made saves standing on his and the let in goals that made fans shake their heads. Lundy just did the same. Now f-off
Your posts no matter what topic are awful. You're like a standing joke around here. Just disappear. No one will miss you.
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In comment 12295794 B in ALB said:
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If you had said Hanlon, Healy, Weekes, Cloutier, or fuckin Vally it would have made more sense. But the Beez?
Terrible. Must be the only guy's name you could remember.
Yeah, the Beez you f'ing moron. Your head must have been up your tail in the 80's as Johnny made saves standing on his and the let in goals that made fans shake their heads. Lundy just did the same. Now f-off
Your posts no matter what topic are awful. You're like a standing joke around here. Just disappear. No one will miss you.
You're just a tampon with zero intelligence that need to be handheld, like a few, in any and messages. Hanlon, Weeks, etc, never reached the heights of Johnny or Lundy. Johnny made amazing saves and then coughed up so e laughers
Right to the achieve (not that you're head has any recall)
>>>Vanbiesbrouck was spectacular at times, fortunate at others. He fanned on a slap shot by Valery Zelepukin in the second period that hit the top of the left post and bounced up and away. He was rescued by a nifty defensive play from Mark Hardy, off a semi-breakaway. He made dramatic saves off Tom Chorske, Laurie Boschman, Stephane Richer and Randy McKay.<<<
Next thing we hear is that the Giant FO should have anticipated Beatty's injury. And you're the next Giants GM.
You're a fucking clownshow. Get lost.
Absolutely pathetic by Hank. He really shit the bed.
Horrific.
Your version of great posting and you call out others lol. F'ing moron
Again. Get lost.
100% agree withthis.
Hank is our goalie. He will be our goalie while we have him. But this team his his number, they're in his head, and if we need Cam to come in against them, that's gotta be what we do.
Then again, it took Cam a while to get rolling...
We cannot lose Friday night. This isn't a team we'll win 3 straight against.
but it's still his team. If he sucks the next two games and we get bounced in 5 ... then yeah, you have to make a decision about this team's path moving forward - Hank at $8.5mm/year for 6 years into his 40s or Cam at 1 yr and then ??
Personally I don't think this team has the talent up front to compete with NYI, Tampa and Pittsburgh (healthy) near-term, or Florida and some other teams longer-term, with Talbot in net and 1-2 forwards capable of 35-40 goals (one of whom is easily shut down come playoff time) over a full season where all tendencies are exposed - nor do I have the same confidence in a game 7... but with the cap as ridiculously low as it is, I guess it should be explored.
Just absolutely sucks that Hank is playing his worst playoff hockey now in a series when we needed him most (strange to say I know coming off 7 one-goal games in the Washington series). Tampa is our toughest test of the entire postseason, including Finals, and we needed him now more than ever. He's not only been less than elite, he's flat out sucked.
We cannot lose Friday night. This isn't a team we'll win 3 straight against.
He got pulled in Philly game 6 last year too. The difference is we led 3-1 and 3-2 in those respective series. Now you pull him trailing 1-2 in a series, that could very well be it.
I personally think tonight's overtime was something we absolutely had to have. Hope i'm wrong, but I don't see this group coming back from this. There's always hope -- but we're playing a more talented team and on top of it our best players are playing awful hockey.
It just seems to me too many people in front of him are playing like dogshit to make it all about the goaltender.
We cannot lose Friday night. This isn't a team we'll win 3 straight against.
Rangers in 7?
Nice 1-2 playoff performance this year asshole.
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It's not a foregone conclusion it won't happen again. If he gives up a couple early on Friday night I think it's something you have to seriously consider.
We cannot lose Friday night. This isn't a team we'll win 3 straight against.
Rangers in 7?
6
It just seems to me too many people in front of him are playing like dogshit to make it all about the goaltender.
I'm not saying you yank him if he gives up one goal. But if he gives up 2-3 early and they're pucks he should be stopping I think you at least consider making the change.
I wouldn't want to be in AV's shoes in that situation but we can't give another game away now.
Anyway. The Rangers are resilient. A lot of people turned this game off at 4-2 and we wound up in OT. Wish we stole it but we didn't. Now we have to take Game 4.
It's a 2-1 series right now. We're not quite in red alert territory just yet.
Its unfathomable to me that a team could score 5+ goals against Hank and this insane salary cap D$ 4 times in 6 games. And have a goalie now TEN and fucking ONE against us now too.
And they are only going to get better in coming years too. Our window is closing fast - I really wish our guys would step it the fuck up and starting playing their best fucking hockey of the season instead of this shitshow.
Was so damn optimistic after game 1 too. Damnit.
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In comment 12295838 arcarsenal said:
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It's not a foregone conclusion it won't happen again. If he gives up a couple early on Friday night I think it's something you have to seriously consider.
We cannot lose Friday night. This isn't a team we'll win 3 straight against.
Rangers in 7?
6
Based on your above assessment that "this isn't a team we'll win 3 straight against", winning the series in 6 appears to be mathematically really, really difficult.
I don't think it's a foregone conclusion that we will get worse. Our team is still relatively young. Kreider still has room to develop, as do some other young plays we have (Step, Fast, etc).
Obviously Hank isn't getting younger which could be a problem, but if we hang onto Cam, we could have them split more time between them.
Having said that, everyone in the East is going to improve, and I think they will improve more than us. They will close the gap on us.
Never say never though. Just gotta get hot once.
As far as our Blueshirts go, we've got a nice balance of veteran leadership and youth but our veteran forwards that we count on to produce in the post season (and you know who they are) are either finished or just not suited for playoff style hockey. I hate admitting that but we've all seen the body of work.
Love the nucleus of Kreids, Brass, Zuccie, Step, JT, Hayes, Hags and Fast but outside of them we'll need some more skilled forwards who can create and find the net as well as needing some jam to bull our way through 4 playoff series. Buchnevich's status is a bit unknown. As MAB alluded to, the window is closing and it appears we'll need more to compete with the up and coming conference rivals ...having to scratch out low scoring, one goal games all the way to a cup is asking an awful lot.
The backline is obviously very solid but we all know it's not going to look the same in 2015 - 2016 and 2016 - 2017. Hope Skjei can step in the next year or 2 and be counted on but that too is an unknown. Not sure The Rath is an answer but I sure am rooting for him.
I know the series isn't over but we apoear to have a serious uphill climb even if it is only 2 games to 1.
Let's Go Rangers!
I nominate redbeard for game 4 thread
I nominate redbeard for game 4 thread
You can't put that on Hank.
The main issue to me is that Bishop gives up rebounds on nearly every shot and the Rangers aren't capitalizing enough on their chances while TB is.
Elliotte Friedman's 30 thoughts comment mentioned that a TB player told him game 6 against MTL was their best game of the season. The team is obviously playing with a lot of confidence and playing much superior hockey relative to the rest of the playoffs. However, last night was just as much on the Rangers' consistent fuck-ups defensively and in net as it was on TB's skill.
TB in 5, MAB will win his millions.
And Bishop sucked too.
TSN - ( New Window )
I'm unclear on what you're asking? I'm saying the Rangers would have won last night if he played well. Completely agreed that we would have been ousted in round two if he didn't play great then.
haha well played. It's not that I necessarily think we made the right decision on Stralman/Boyle, just that what's done is done. We're still at this point, not going to get him back. So let's accept what we have.
But it is a discussion board, no harm in discussing it. Just wish we had more positives to work with at this point.
I think the Rangers start restricting the defensemen's ability to pinch in the offensive zone - McDonagh is brilliant at picking his spots to pinch to generate chances, but guys like Girardi and Staal can't be caught deep.
Also, the Rangers seemed to start playing a bit 'deeper' defensively in the neutral zone in the third to keep shots to the outside which should make a difference over the course of a game.
I love hank and totally agree that he has bailed them out countless times. But that is what makes him a star, the offense gave him 5 goals last night, that should be enough of a bail out.
Nice 1-2 playoff performance this year asshole.
I'm 2-4
Team better wake the fuck up and come out flying Friday. Coming back from 3-1 back to back isn't gonna happen
Team better wake the fuck up and come out flying Friday. Coming back from 3-1 back to back isn't gonna happen
They came out flying in game 3. What they need to do is get their defensive zone coverage straightened out, right now they are running around instead of manning up.
No question on the first part. And no BBI'er would pretend we'd be here without Hank's performance against the Caps.
But they gave him 5 goals last night - they did bail him out. And he proceeded to give up an incredibly soft OT goal 3 minutes in anyway.
We blame Sather for a lot around here, and I still maintain some of recent moves leave a lot to be desired. But what this team really misses are stars that play like stars when the stakes are highest. And I'm not sure what the guy can do - he tried to bring in Gaborik, the guy tore labrums every postseason and refused to play defense at critical times. He brings in Nash who now has fewer goals than Jesper Fast and Ryan McDonaugh. Hank as much as i love him, he played great last year against MTL and LA... but two years ago against NJ and now this? He's been anything but elite in 2 of the 4 biggest series he's ever played.
It's a cruel joke.
Is what it is - we cannot match their skill. I dont know how we're going to win 3 of 4. Defense needs to tighten up, we have to get MSL out of the lineup, Zuccs needs to be back by game 5 at the very latest, and Hank literally has to stand on his head from here on out.
Still hope, but last night was devastating in a lot of ways.
Quit talking your book.
Yes it would have been a crime. This is just stupid.
Unrealistic to think we'd take both in Tampa. Just needed to split.
Yeah, it would have been easier to get the W last night and play with house money somewhat tomorrow but it didn't happen that way. Now we have to get it tomorrow.
Tampa isn't some unbeatable juggernaut. Good team. The Rangers can beat them.
Lets remember his one playoff experience last year in game 5 Montreal - he stunk
He stunk his first week or two taking over for Hank this February before he settled in.
I'm not sure he's a guy you can throw in a fire and expect a good outcome. I'd also rather not potentially taint his trade value this offseason by exposing him to maybe a bad playoff game. (although on that point i'm not sure what exactly a guy with one year left on his deal and one month starting experience will net you in trade.. this is not exactly Cory Schneider or Ryan Miller we are talking about here. Low 1st from St Louis or High 2nd round pick and maybe a solid 3rd line Wing?
Quit talking your book.
It will fund my vacation to Aruba next spring. Not kidding.
(fuck... I'd rather attend a Rangers parade and be there next October for the banner raising, Goddamnit)
Yeah, I said the Rangers lost that game just as much as Tampa won it. Credit to them for taking advantage of the Rangers' plethora of fuck-ups, but Tampa is beatable.
Bishop played worse than Lundqvist last night.
Good stuff.
Also, he's due for a fucking shutout. Averaged one every 9.2 games this regular season and hasn't had one yet these playoffs.
Staal taken the Body...
Their one weakness is their inexperience. Even the coach says "we're only in year 2 of this thing" They arent particularly deep on the blue line, and they arent particularly battle tested.
You beat them with experience and attention to detail. My concerns is we havent done that all year against these mother fuckers... for whatever reason... and for reasons i dont understand, we just havent looked right this entire postseason.
Nice comeback against Washington - but come on, that series never should have been so close. They have 2 maybe 3 guys on their entire roster that can score and they dont have a top pair D-unit.
My only conclusion is that our stars havent played like stars - Nash, MSL, McD. Maybe they can turn it around, but clock is ticking boys - its been 15 games now. Get your heads out of your asses.
It is a combination of terrible D and crisp passing that is killing the Rangers right now. Bottom line is that TB is converting a lot of open looks while the Rangers aren't. MSL whiffed on an open look and we continue to have those 1-2 breakaways a game that aren't converted.
Lundquist gave up a soft OT goal, but he's not been terrible. The high goal totals are a combination of too many PP chances and a D that is having problems with gap control. In the past two games, he's had a bunch of pucks get behind him that he any goalie would have a difficult time stopping.
This team has had their backs against the wall before, and more often than not, they have responded. I am going to give them the benefit of the doubt here. Just take Game 4 and all will be right again.
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Brett.
Nice 1-2 playoff performance this year asshole.
I'm 2-4
I thinks it's Arcs turn. He is 3-1. Bring it home tomorrow night Arc.
No thanks - Fear the Beard.
It's like the Rangers are still getting used to TB's speed after those plodding series against Pitt and Washington.
It's like the Rangers are still getting used to TB's speed after those plodding series against Pitt and Washington.
They play like the old Penguins. Everybody looks to cut to the net.
But we are capable of defending at a much higher level than them. Their Stralman/Hedman pair is excellent. It's pedestrian beyond that on D. We should be the better defensive team. We saw it in game 1 (which feels like a lifetime ago now). It is possible against this group. But that one fucking line is just killing us.
My point is, we know our group is capable of preventing goals at a higher level than this. We just saw it as recently as two games ago. This is still a competitive and very winnable series if we can get back to that.
Don't forget, we still put up 5 on them last night. Bishop can be beaten and when we get the forecheck working on their D, we generate a ton of chances. Powerplay has been very successful too in this series.
Don't forget, we still put up 5 on them last night. Bishop can be beaten and when we get the forecheck working on their D, we generate a ton of chances. Powerplay has been very successful too in this series.
That forecheck is both helping and hurting though right? When it doesnt generate the turnover or disrupt, they are generating odd man rushes and converting at an unbelievably high clip.
Honestly, when your goalie is playing poorly, AV's system - which i otherwise like - can look ugly at times. We rely so much on Hank back there and he usually delivers. ughh.
And man we need Zuccs to come in and replace MSL. I need some good news today - he travelled with the team, maybe he'll skate with the team today or something.
Other than the OT goal, it is hard to find "soft" goals he's allowed.
Not that monday mattered anyway - he could have held them to 4 and we still would have been beaten easily.
All that said, he'll be fine and I fully expect this team to come out flying and take Game 4.
No thanks - Fear the Beard.
Blame Ryan McDonagh.
You know, the guy who lifted Hank's mask just enough to let the puck almost kill him, the guy who sniped Zuccarello in the back of the head, fell asleep at the wheel in the closing seconds of Game 1 vs WSH and the guy who has fucking sucked for the majority of the playoffs.
Someone needs to take fuckin' control here. I got this shit.
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Don't forget, we still put up 5 on them last night. Bishop can be beaten and when we get the forecheck working on their D, we generate a ton of chances. Powerplay has been very successful too in this series.
That forecheck is both helping and hurting though right? When it doesnt generate the turnover or disrupt, they are generating odd man rushes and converting at an unbelievably high clip.
Honestly, when your goalie is playing poorly, AV's system - which i otherwise like - can look ugly at times. We rely so much on Hank back there and he usually delivers. ughh.
And man we need Zuccs to come in and replace MSL. I need some good news today - he travelled with the team, maybe he'll skate with the team today or something.
Yeah I don't wanna say we should start playing Trotz or Torts style hockey and just clog it up. Because that's not this team's style and it's not what got us here. But maybe the pinching should be limited to guys like McD, who has the skating ability to do it. Or guys like Boyle, who has shown pretty good instincts for it and has actually scored some net front goals, like last night.
We're just giving up way too many breaks or odd man rushes the other way and it feels like they're literally scoring on every one of them.
That top line is just way too comfortable right now. I would say to get physical with them, but that's not really how our D plays. And we saw what happened when Kreider when out of his way to hit one of them on the 5th goal.
No one's expecting him to be perfect. But he sucked last night. Both him and the D were huge issues last night.
His playoff numbers are excellent across a large sample size. He just had a bad game last night. It doesn't have to be more than that. Unfortunately it came at a terrible time.
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and God willing hopefully he can walk again one day.
No thanks - Fear the Beard.
Blame Ryan McDonagh.
You know, the guy who lifted Hank's mask just enough to let the puck almost kill him, the guy who sniped Zuccarello in the back of the head, fell asleep at the wheel in the closing seconds of Game 1 vs WSH and the guy who has fucking sucked for the majority of the playoffs.
Someone needs to take fuckin' control here. I got this shit.
Fell asleep in game 1, made a shit effort on Ovechkin's goal in game 2, had a terrible turnover that led to the GWG in game 4, made numerous terrible plays (and terrible turnovers that eventually led to a PP TB scored on) last night...
If a guy has time to pinpoint his location and shoot it with speed, there is little Hank can do. That's on the D.
But this series is far from over. We tighten things up a bit, win game 4, then face a 3 game series with 2 games at home
Yes, it sucks that the 2 big guns we brought in who were supposed to deliver this time of year (Nash and MSL) are MIA...but it's also been fun to see guys like Stepan, Brassard, Moore, and Fast grow up during these playoffs
He's awesome - he's the only reason we're here - he's stolen us lots of games in the past. No one is disputing any of this.
But they scored him 5 goals last night - legends and champions dont blow that. He did. He's still got a chance to get us back in this thing, and hopefully he will.
win or lose, I still love the guy and want him to retire a Ranger. That's not the point.
Alex?
You're like the talking mailbox.
He gave up 6 goals, at least two of them were directly his fault and the other 4 - well there is a very fine line between Champions and really, really good players.
Yes, the D can be better in front of him too.
I dont doubt a lot of this is bad luck - i just think Champions rise to the occassion and play their best when the stakes are highest. Eli has. Jeter & Rivera have. I'd love Hank to join that company.
I dont doubt a lot of this is bad luck - i just think Champions rise to the occassion and play their best when the stakes are highest. Eli has. Jeter & Rivera have. I'd love Hank to join that company.
Pretty must spot on and I agree with your passion for seeing Henrik win one. It's a 7 game series. He'll bounce back. Don't forget Rivera also blown a couple saves that would have gotten the Yanks another shot at adding another ring. He bounced back. So will Henrik.
Rangers in 7.
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Maybe it would have shaken them up a little, given Lundqvist a break.
Yes it would have been a crime. This is just stupid.
Really, you've never seen a team do that? Give their # 1 a break when losing late in the hope it creates a spark? And give their #1 a breather?
And could the outcome have been worse?
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In comment 12296006 Victor in CT said:
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Maybe it would have shaken them up a little, given Lundqvist a break.
Yes it would have been a crime. This is just stupid.
Really, you've never seen a team do that? Give their # 1 a break when losing late in the hope it creates a spark? And give their #1 a breather?
And could the outcome have been worse?
You've seen this in a one goal game where it's a HOF level goalie getting pulled?
Steve Yzerman is from Detroit.
More importantly than the offense he's implemented is how Detroit would counter teams doing the same thing.
Anybody remember Scotty Bowman's famous Left Wing Lock he introduced to Steve Yzerman's Red Wings?
LWL Solution - ( New Window )
FMIC is right with the defense being bad. Your team wanted to play this style of hockey but maybe they should try to change it to the grinding playoff hockey that they have dominated the past few years in the playoffs. If they can get into that style vs tampa they could probably be winning 3-1 games. Bishop can be beat.
I do think you've still got to win one to claim that. Whether its his fault or whatever, that's just the way it is. Many people i know still consider Richter to be the best Rangers goalie ever, let alone player.
Ridiculous, I know - Richter for his career was 90% save pct and 2.9 GAA... but this business is about championships, fair or unfair. Is what it is.
Same thing with Ewing.
Also, I'd put Moore on the power play instead of St. Louis and have him take faceoffs. It seems like the team seldom wins facoffs on the power play.