I have been watching more and more hockey in recent years. It really is an amazing sport and playoff hockey is just incredible.
The Ranger game last night was very exciting, but unfortunately they came out on the losing end. Again, their best scorer failed to produce anything for the cause. In fact there was one play mid-third period where he side stepped some defenders and missed what looked to me to be an ideal opportunity to drive to the net and score. Instead he sent a weak wrist shot that I think I could have saved if I was in net for the Lightning. That did not look like a play by someone who is hungry to compete, hungry to be a champion.
Will it be possible for the Rangers to turn their series around and win if the best scorer on the team continues to shrink away from the big moment?
In addition I think the play of Nash brings up the question of if there is such a thing as a clutch player? I firmly believe that there is a clutch factor that some athletes possess. Either they are mediocre or solid players who raise their game when the stakes are highest, or they are all star caliber players who rise to insane heights when competing under the highest stakes. As Giants fans we are blessed with the King of Clutch as our QB.
Conversely, the worst kind of player if the one who is an all star who can carry his team through the season, but wilts like a dying flower when it is best on best with everything on the line. These players constantly tease fans with everyone thinking "tonight will be the night he breaks out" and then it never happens and the season ends. It also has to be very disheartening for the team itself to see one of the best players who carried them through the season shit the bed in the biggest moment.
Anyway, this forum is full of knowledge sports fans. Do you believe there is a clutch gene that certain athletes possess?
He's one guy in the regular season and another in the postseason. The sample is far too large to call it a fluke at this point. He's not finishing and it falls on his shoulders.
The well of excuses is running very dry.
I not trying to be critical of Brassard AT ALL, but I feel like we keep saying the same things about X big-name winger that we've acquired who isn't playing great in the postseason. (Yes, Nash's futility far exceeds Gaborik.) While the center on his line has nothing to do with his inability to finish a breakaway, I think it plays a large part in his overall ineffectiveness.
I'm obviously critical of his postseason play too, but I don't think it's as simple as he's a choker, overrated, etc.
I know Hartford is in a playoff, but I'd love to see Lindberg in the line up, at least.
Nash is at least making things happen. He's been a physical presence, been pretty good on the penalty kill, and is making plays on the power play. Sure, he does take some low percentage shots at times, but I don't think goal scoring is everything. Plus the Rangers can make things happen when the puck gets thrown on net.
Anybody else noticed who's been the better player between Girardi and Stralman?....
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In comment 12296616 arcarsenal said:
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The difference is that all throughout the regular season, we watched him capitalize on those chances he's created. And it's not just a coincidence thing because his percentages have taken a massive dip since the playoffs started.
The shot he put on Bishop from point blank last night was a fucking joke. If you're just going to flick a 30 mph wrister at the guys chest protector, just give the puck to someone else instead because it's a complete waste of an opportunity.
How many of Nash's shots have been lower percentage than last night's game winner?
Probably not many. I don't think even Kucherov himself thought that shot had much of any chance to go in.
That was all on Lunqvist. Maybe he needs to sit down for game 4. Give Talbot a chance.
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Derick Brassard is not holding Rick Nash back. It's ridiculous to blame his lack of scoring on not playing alongside an elite 1C.
He's one guy in the regular season and another in the postseason. The sample is far too large to call it a fluke at this point. He's not finishing and it falls on his shoulders.
The well of excuses is running very dry.
I not trying to be critical of Brassard AT ALL, but I feel like we keep saying the same things about X big-name winger that we've acquired who isn't playing great in the postseason. (Yes, Nash's futility far exceeds Gaborik.) While the center on his line has nothing to do with his inability to finish a breakaway, I think it plays a large part in his overall ineffectiveness.
I'm obviously critical of his postseason play too, but I don't think it's as simple as he's a choker, overrated, etc.
Thing is, the opportunities are still there. So it's not like he just can't find open ice anywhere and is getting stifled by shutdown defensemen. He's had chances and just has not been able to beat these goalies.
I'm sure playing with an elite centerman would help but Brassard is more than adequate and Nash has had plenty of looks.
I certainly hope that's a minority opinion.
There are players who are the anti-Eli, the bigger the moment the less difference they will make. In some ways these are the worst type of players to have on a squad.
That said, it only takes one or two big performances to change everything. I guess that is why we watch.
I certainly hope that's a minority opinion.
It is. If he were to let in 2-3 quick ones (and relatively bad ones) early in Game 4, I'd consider making a switch at least for the rest of the game.. but there's no question that Hank gets the start tomorrow. Not even a debate.
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meds.
I certainly hope that's a minority opinion.
It is. If he were to let in 2-3 quick ones (and relatively bad ones) early in Game 4, I'd consider making a switch at least for the rest of the game.. but there's no question that Hank gets the start tomorrow. Not even a debate.
Yep. And I don't think there would have been anything wrong with giving him the 3rd period off after 10 goals in 5 periods with the team not playing it's usual tight defensive game. It may have even jolted the rest of the team awake and given them a renewed sense of responsibility. But the King should unquestionably be starting Friday night.
I've heard the excuses about Nash playing PK and PP -- and they just need to stop. His overall minutes arent bad at all. He's just not finishing, hasnt since March... and its killing the team yet again. Granted we scored 5 goals last night though, so kind of a strange time for this thread.
Our D - i'd be more concerned about "fatigue" if this TBL and NYI style havent given us fits all year. TBL owned Hank in the regular season too... as did the Isles. This is as much coaching as it is anything else. Like AV but he has to adjust. Even his players admitted in the papers today they dont match up talent wise with TB to get into a track meet. We need to get back to tighter checking, traditional playoff hockey.
I certainly hope that's a minority opinion.
It's really an insane thought. You win or lose with your best players. No way you even consider benching Hank
I certainly hope that's a minority opinion.
100%. You put in talbot and your waving the white flag. That is the most desperate move a hockey coach can make. Live and die with your best player. I fully think henrik will show up bigtime in game 4
I don't know specifically why Nash doesn't score in the playoffs, but I would guess at some level it is in his head now and when he has a decent scoring chance, there is probably some part of him that is pressing to make it a perfect shot. In the regular season he may net the same opportunity because he isn't thinking about it, he's just relaxed and playing.
Tyler Johnson's been a stud all year. It's not like he came out of nowhere these playoffs.
Then he won a title, relaxed, and look at him now.
It's incredible what just a little success will do for confidence.
As a long suffering Rangers fan we all know what will happen - after falling short again, we will dump Nash to another city - maybe like an Edmonton (not sure about his NMC, but whatever) - playing alongside elite goal scorers, Nash will start to net a few one postseason. And he will end up with 15 postseason goals that year and a Stanley Cup for someone else.
I'm not saying dont move on from the guy - clearly its not working here - but.... we've seen this movie before (Gaborik) and we may be seeing it again this year (Callahan, Boyle, Stralman - granted so far Cally & Boyle havent killed us... the triplets & Stamkos & some fucking guy named Killorn have)
Like I said, you could use arguments like those if the scoring chances were totally disappearing but they're not. The guy is choosing to skate away from the net and he's firing off weak shots when he has a clear lane.
Paul that's a ridiculous argument coming from you, who's easily one of the best posters around.
Compare Hank's regular season performance to his postseason performance; they're basically the same : excellent. Moreover, Hank's been the best game 7 goalie in NHL history.
Now consider Nash's postseason production (which is a reasonably large sample size now) to his regular season production. The guy turns into someone else come playoff time.
MSL is the guy most responsible for the 1-2 deficit right now. I really hope he's in the press box tonight.
If he converts on a point blank chance early in the 3rd period of Game 2, it's a tie game and who knows where the game goes from there.
Fast also had a yawning cage but I'll give him a pass since he made up for it in Game 3 and has been arguably our most consistently good forward this entire postseason.
Bigger question in my mind is, what changes do NYR make after this season? Cap situation indicates they'll have to look at trades over UFA, for example.
As far as Nash goes, I don't think it's a lack of clutch. Rather, I think it's that his playing style is not as suited for playoff scoring combined with some bad luck.
He is still playing strong defense and his assist rates are more than fine, and were even better than his regular season rates, last I saw them calculated.
I think this is a good article on Nash's "woes" in the playoffs and helps contextualize it.
http://blueseatblogs.com/2015/05/19/rick-nash-doesnt-stink/ - ( New Window )
I'd like to see him actually use his size and momentum and skate the puck towards the crease and try to get a greasy goal. He's a big guy. Force the goddamn issue and create a little havoc right in front of the net.
Funny, in the '70s GAG meant Goal A Game for the Hadfield-Ratelle-Gilbert line. GAG in Nash's case is entirely different.
Goals per Game
Reg Seas Playoffs
Nash .44 .13
Ratelle .38 .26
Gilbert .38 .43
Hadfield .32 .36
I'm not saying Nash hasnt sucked or that the single biggest reason the Washington series was closer than it should have been was because of his disappearing act. He was brutal in the Washington series.
I'm just saying he's not the biggest reason or anywhere close to it that we're down 1-2 in this Tampa series right now. Not to name names -- but MSL is.
My biggest problem is just that I feel his offensive game has been so passive. When a player like him is struggling, what I want to see is that player get angry and play more aggressive. A guy with his size/skill should be trying to force the issue.
I know this is who Nash is and it's not really in his DNA, I just wish the guy would start playing like he refuses to let this team lose.
Ovechkin is a better player so it's not a perfect comp but no one on the planet doubts that guy left everything he had on the ice against us. I just do not feel that way about Nash.
CK's defense has been another issue.. but offensively Nash should be doing more of what #20 is doing out there.
Nash scored all season long while playing ST minutes. There's absolutely no reason why it should all of a sudden become a hindrance in the playoffs when it wasn't before. It is an excuse and it's a bad one.
What I am saying is try something different to get him going. Put his focus on his offense. We couldn't finish last year without him scoring and frankly I don't see us winning the Cup with him like this. It's worth trying a different mindset for him imo.
You want to counter with we need him against a great PP from Tampa Bay that's a valid point.
But it's not an excuse.
Hanks are too
but he has 7 playoff goals in 55 games (lost count). that's not pedestrian - that's awful
this year Ryan mcdonaugh and Jesper fast have more goals than him.
Lolololol