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.
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.
Quote:
In comment 12295838 arcarsenal said:
Quote:
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.
Quote:
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.