NFT: Rangers @ Isles, 7PM EST on MSG

I've been dying inside with each game he missed.

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Than ovechkin has in his 12 year career (29 total)

Puempel in over Pirri may have more to do with being able to expose him in the expansion draft...

"In taking Pavel Buchnevich out of the equation, it's interesting to see the Rangers go with Matt Puempel over Brandon Pirri for this spot. Puempel is a young player and a former first round pick with potential, but he also is close to reaching the requirements to be exposed for the expansion draft. I think that getting Puempel to the requirements is a side part of this decision as the Rangers probably want all of the flexibility they can when it comes to the expansion draft."
Puempel over Pirri - ( New Window )

Which means he immediately sits. Meanwhile, so-so has been several levels above Girardi's play for three years and he never, ever sits.

And that's why I can't stand Alain Vigneault.

In comment 13362572 MetsAreBack said:

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He had a "so-so" game against CBJ per AV.

Could truly be a doghouse thing. Could just be a rest. Could just be trying to keep Peumpel locked in in the event that a forward gets dealt for D into the deadline. I'm not reading too much into it.

Thanks for posting. Interesting angle and makes a good bit of sense.

A very important distinction, you scrote.

You guys are hot, we're on the cooling end of a hot run but definitely a mixed bag of who-knows-what-the-fuckery as it relates to what we might expect tonight after getting thoroughly embarrassed by the Loafs. Can't dwell on that one, though; every team has a game like that in a season. Weight has "strongly suggested" to his charges that they treat this one tonight like a playoff game.

Let's have a good one, boys.

Acceptable angle I guess... Who knows what scheming is going on behind the scenes with Cap ramifications tied to player playing time & what not.

last night with PHI and TOR losing in regulation.

The TOR game was a bit of a disaster but it only counts as one game. Hopefully the Isles can keep playing aggressive and get lots of zone time against the Rangers D. Greiss needs to play better tonight.

Hamonic skated prior to the team skate this AM, first time on the ice since 1/7. Clutterbuck also skated and has stayed on for the team portion.

Isles forwards stay the same. Mayfield in for Pelech, deservedly so. He rocks Drakkar, Pelly doesn't.

The Drakkar Neckbeards coming off an embarrassing performance against TOR.

I already know how this one is going to go.

In comment 13362762 pganut said:

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Isles forwards stay the same. Mayfield in for Pelech, deservedly so. He rocks Drakkar, Pelly doesn't.

I like Pelech, but he deserves this. He was absolutely brutal against Toronto. We're also likely going to need someone who can drop the gloves if needed. Good decision by Weight.

While there's a lot of good to his game - for example, he takes the body well and has been noticeable in standing up some of the forwards that try and get around him, also shows good hustle getting into the offensive zone on rushes/carry-ins - there are still some warts. But I see those as very fixable...notably, his gap control (which he worked on after the first of the 2 recent TOR games) and his pass selection in zone exit attempts. He's thrown the puck to a spot, which is coaching and how the Isles want to break, but he has to be more observant if there's a breakdown in positioning and the intended teammate isn't at the designated spot. He'll be a quality defender and a reliable 2nd/3rd paring guy as his career progresses.

In comment 13362771 arcarsenal said:

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The Drakkar Neckbeards coming off an embarrassing performance against TOR. I already know how this one is going to go.

No idea if it's a good lineup change or not, but needing someone to drop the gloves would be a bad reason. The Isles would have to do something pretty bad to get anyone on the rangers to even consider it. Even then, Kreider or Klein is about as scary as we get...

That reply was to MILB, not you arc.

Awful.

In comment 13362668 Metnut said:

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last night with PHI and TOR losing in regulation.

Every bit helps but Toronto is still in great shape to capture the 3 seed in the Atlantic. Boston has played a ton of games and has some tough west coast trips coming up, including the California + Dallas trip next week. Im guessing you'll end up battling Boston, Tampa and Florida (FL is finally healthy and starting to look good) for that WC-2.

We're sharing a gamethread with the toilet plungers from long island? Who decided this?

In comment 13362813 MetsAreBack said:

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Every bit helps but Toronto is still in great shape to capture the 3 seed in the Atlantic. Boston has played a ton of games and has some tough west coast trips coming up, including the California + Dallas trip next week. Im guessing you'll end up battling Boston, Tampa and Florida (FL is finally healthy and starting to look good) for that WC-2.

I agree with you here, MAB. FLA is finally back at full strength and will be very much in the hunt. BOS will get the same bounce effect we did with a new coach, so we'll see how long that continues although they were playing good possession hockey despite a mediocre record YTD. I ultimately think TOR's defense and goaltending undoes them, but their Fs are fun as hell to watch.

This isn't a statement to begin an argument, but I don't see the Rangers or CBJ being markedly better teams than the Islanders. The Islanders sabotaged their season with the abysmal start and frankly deserve their fate if they miss the playoffs. After Sunday, we have our 9-game road monster, with the stops being DET-MTL-CBJ-DAL-CHI-CGY-EDM-VAN-STL. Some "should-wins" in there, but that grind is gonna be brutal heading out far west at the end of the trip...would have been better scheduling if they started there and worked back east.

In comment 13362575 Run with 81 said:

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Puempel in over Pirri may have more to do with being able to expose him in the expansion draft...

Eh. Supposedly there are a lot of AHL players who qualify as someone you can expose, and they can be acquired for a nominal asset (cash, right to swap #7s).

In comment 13362819 B in ALB said:

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We're sharing a gamethread with the toilet plungers from long island? Who decided this?

Don't you have a Sabres-Avs game to watch tonight, sunshine? What could you possibly have to complain about?

In comment 13362826 pganut said:

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In comment 13362819 B in ALB said: Quote: We're sharing a gamethread with the toilet plungers from long island? Who decided this? Don't you have a Sabres-Avs game to watch tonight, sunshine? What could you possibly have to complain about?

You sir, can tongue my sack. I have the Rangers game tonight - but with fucking shitstained Islanders announcers. I can't win.

...here we are. A very uncomfortable moment for me. I came off a pretty solid performance Monday. MiLB - you need not worry about having someone drop the gloves. The Rangers take the AV, Drewcon approach. Very nice. Ooops I bumped you I'm sorry. A lot of "Good Luck", "Hope you don't mind". MAB has a bit more "jam" in his game.

A Christmas gift from my brother in law has afforded me the opportunity to see the game live. I will be with my 9 year old so my Lady Byng nomination will be in play.

Plus, February 28 deadline is approaching and I need to approve all of the shrewd deals.

pga - these are the toughest days where we are on opposite sides of the faceoff circle!

In comment 13362806 bigbluehoya said:

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In comment 13362771 arcarsenal said: Quote: The Drakkar Neckbeards coming off an embarrassing performance against TOR. I already know how this one is going to go. No idea if it's a good lineup change or not, but needing someone to drop the gloves would be a bad reason. The Isles would have to do something pretty bad to get anyone on the rangers to even consider it. Even then, Kreider or Klein is about as scary as we get...

Haha understanding this is for me...

I just meant that as a small, supporting factor. The Islanders don't really have a guy who can change the momentum with a good scuffle anymore with Matt Martin gone. Mayfield is pretty good about that.

But I really just meant that as a secondary factor in my post. Pelech was beyond bad in the Toronto game (may have had our worst turnover resulting in a goal all year... and that says a lot). And while I think Pelech is more talented than Mayfield, I think it's an important message to send. Additionally, Mayfield, mediocre as he is, tends to play pretty well in these big games. Two years ago we were down to our 10th defenseman in Game 7 against the Capitals and he played admirably.

Your niblets are probably rashy and irritated from resting so often on The Ginger One's beard. But Goring is the one to tune out. Brendan Burke has done a really nice job and is definitely more aware of/complimentary of our opposition so you'll get a (mostly) balanced call from him tonight.

Drew, have fun at the game. I hope it'll teach your kid how to take a loss with dignity as I know his old man is a pretty alright individual ;-)

In comment 13362668 Metnut said:

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last night with PHI and TOR losing in regulation. The TOR game was a bit of a disaster but it only counts as one game. Hopefully the Isles can keep playing aggressive and get lots of zone time against the Rangers D. Greiss needs to play better tonight.

The Sharks almost gave us an assist, too. They trailed 5-3 with 3.5 minutes to go and scored two goals to force OT, but the Panthers won it in 3-on-3.

In comment 13362846 pganut said:

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Drew, have fun at the game. I hope it'll teach your kid how to take a loss with dignity as I know his old man is a pretty alright individual ;-)

We are Mets fans also so 2014-2015 was character building for DrewCon Jr

In comment 13362862 Drewcon40 said:

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Drew, have fun at the game. I hope it'll teach your kid how to take a loss with dignity as I know his old man is a pretty alright individual ;-) We are Mets fans also so 2014-2015 was character building for DrewCon Jr

I hear that; we're also Mets fans. As Isles/Mets fans, we've endured a lot (my kids are almost 12, but I've suffered for the better part of 47 years). Funnily enough, we came up to NY for a Mets game last year...had it all planned out. Picked a game against a team the Mets should have beat (D-backs), had Thor on the mound to boot...and promptly got destroyed, 9-0 with Thor only lasting 5 innings. The Giants have been the saving grace with 2 titles in my kids' lifetime so far. But they've built think skins being Mets and Isles fans, for sure.

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i just shaved my swingers last night and they're glorious. No issues at all, my pet.

I'd like to take a stick to Goring's huge fuckin chicklets. I'm sure that feeling won't subside after tonight.

In comment 13362907 B in ALB said:

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i just shaved my swingers last night and they're glorious. No issues at all, my pet. I'd like to take a stick to Goring's huge fuckin chicklets. I'm sure that feeling won't subside after tonight.

There really is nothing like a shorn scrotum; it's breathtaking. I suggest you try it.

and Im not allowed to talk about politics here because it offends some people...

I think it's fair to be a little considered about Thomas Greiss right now (and that's coming from one of his biggest supporters.

In his last 5 games he's give up 5, 5, 1, 3, and 6, compiling a record of 2-3 and getting pulled in the most recent one. I also think the broadcasters really gave him a pass on one of those goals against Toronto. He lazily tried to stick the puck away with someone bearing right in on him. It was lucky for the goal-scorer sure, but Greiss made a bad play there. For some reason Butch and Burke kept focusing on it being lucky for Toronto.

And life isn't going to get any easier with Greiss as we have a ton of games coming up. He needs to get it together.

Sure, has he ever had a starter workload before? No. But at the same time, while a veteran, he has low miles on him and keeps himself conditioned well. He has plenty in the tank, IMO.

If you look at the goals given up, very few, if any are of the "softie" variety. I think the first recent TOR game, he made a mistake lifting a pad too early that Matthews converted, and the example you gave is questionable. He redirected a shot from the side boards and was deflecting it into the opposite corner as he should. However, Hickey did nothing to tie up the forward crashing the net (Nylander) and regardless of the angle Greiss was trying to deflect the puck to, Nylander was so on top of him it was redirected into his shin pad and in. If anything, Greiss's mistake was not gloving the puck to freeze it, but I'm sure in no way did he expect a forward in his face with a capable defender right there, albeit that he ultimately didn't help on the play. Anyway, Greiss continues to make great saves; super glove hand; sees well through traffic, and controls rebounds well. To me, the defense has failed him lately, not an erosion of his skills.

game threads. All this talk about the Connecticut Islanders is really fuckin boring.

on Buch being scratched. Don't think it's the worst thing to scratch a struggling rookie for a game or two. And Puempel, while not great, is certainly more talented than your typical 13th forward.
Link - ( New Window )

if he gets fed up with AV's "teaching style"

I dont really have a problem with benching him for a game, though i dont think he's gotten much opportunity to play to his strengths this month, but i do think guys like Vesey (monday's beautiful goal not withstanding) are going to need a breather down the stretch here too. Let's spread it around and get guys a breather now that we're like a 99.8% chance to make the playoffs.

Bottom line is we have a high-class problem of having too many forwards on this roster. Hopefully over the next 7-10 days we trade one or two of these guys for the much needed RHD help.

Decent article below.

Buchnevich blog - Fanragsports - ( New Window )

Buch would have to actually be sent down in order for that clause in his contract to kick in.

In comment 13363206 bigbluehoya said:

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Buch would have to actually be sent down in order for that clause in his contract to kick in.

Yes. The clause is activated if he's removed from the Rangers roster.

It's still a dumb move.

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In comment 13363377 Mike in Long Beach said:

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What a pathetic fail of a query.

Who's meeting me before the game and outside the arena for beers?

as I am late to party....

Fuck this joint thread BS. I really need to read about every scrub discussed on the Rags? OMG who we gonna send down, who we gonna bring up. He is gonna be great, he flashed....suck it.

re: greiss
Color me concerned. He was better before the contract.

re: Mayfield
Definitely need the grit out there. We have none.

why don't you go meet Fekker down in Brooklyn so you guys can enjoy a glass of chablis then scissor each other?

In comment 13363406 Fish said:

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Fuck this joint thread BS. I really need to read about every scrub discussed on the Rags? OMG who we gonna send down, who we gonna bring up. He is gonna be great, he flashed....suck it.

What happened to the emerging Islander powerhouse you were slobbering about 3-4 years ago? 25-20-10....woooooooo!

In comment 13363425 B in ALB said:

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why don't you go meet Fekker down in Brooklyn so you guys can enjoy a glass of chablis then scissor each other?

Ridiculous and offensive.... I'd never drink chablis.

In comment 13363436 Greg from LI said:

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In comment 13363406 Fish said: Quote: Fuck this joint thread BS. I really need to read about every scrub discussed on the Rags? OMG who we gonna send down, who we gonna bring up. He is gonna be great, he flashed....suck it. What happened to the emerging Islander powerhouse you were slobbering about 3-4 years ago? 25-20-10....woooooooo!

Seriously. The Isles vaunted prospect pool turned out to be staggeringly unsuccessful, at least to date. Post Tavares draft, really underwhelming NHL production. And it's early, but Dal Colle and Ho-Sang should be doing a lot more in the AHL than they have been. And they gave up too soon on Nino (or misused him -- whatever, he's a decent player in Minnesota having a breakout season).

In comment 13363436 Greg from LI said:

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What happened to the emerging Islander powerhouse you were slobbering about 3-4 years ago? 25-20-10....woooooooo!

It sucks. But wouldn't it be good enough for 3rd place in the Atlantic Division? I can't remember this much of an imbalance. The Rangers would be sitting pretty with the 1 seed.

In comment 13363457 Deej said:

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Seriously. The Isles vaunted prospect pool turned out to be staggeringly unsuccessful, at least to date. Post Tavares draft, really underwhelming NHL production. And it's early, but Dal Colle and Ho-Sang should be doing a lot more in the AHL than they have been. And they gave up too soon on Nino (or misused him -- whatever, he's a decent player in Minnesota having a breakout season).

Not to mention dumping Grabner and essentially trading 28-yr old Okposo for 31-yr old Andrew Ladd when Okposo was an integral beast for those guys.