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?
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