another thread with a wide range of nastiness just let me know.
Sometimes the master has to remind the student. Kind of like how the male alpha lion will kill a weaker son to show the pride who really runs the show.
Miller, and Kreider have decided not to play this off season. Girardi sucks as usual, and the Ottawa Sens look like the next Stanley Cup winners playing us. We are a disinterested team, unreal. Sickening is what it is.
This is an absurd penalty kill by the way. They are calling us for slashing and elbowing but 18000 gasped as they saw lundqvist get wrestled to the ground earlier
He didn't do that dirty stuff when he was here. Nash also gets a penalty. 4 on 4 for the rest of the period
Brassard did stupid shit like that in the offensive zone all of the time. I always liked the skill set, but when things weren't going his way he turned into a petulant child and started taking stick penalties left and right. High stocks, slashes, trips.
Got his Fucking tiara knocked off and has to bitch about it of course. Fuckin twat.
I texted a couple of my buddies after the first period. Need to get pucks deep on Karlsson, make him play facing the glass, and pummel him. Hit him clean, but hit the shit out of him hard and a lot. He's the straw that stirs the entire drink for them. Make him feel pain.
I'm reminded of the Rangers-Oilers game earlier this seasonwhen it seemed like McDavid was on the ice all the time because he was constantly creating scoring chances every shift.
It's the opposite with Holden. It seems like he's on the ice all the time because bad things always happen when he is.
I'm reminded of the Rangers-Oilers game earlier this seasonwhen it seemed like McDavid was on the ice all the time because he was constantly creating scoring chances every shift.
It's the opposite with Holden. It seems like he's on the ice all the time because bad things always happen when he is.
We all end up Holden our collective breath when he's on the ice.
In comment 13453542 B in ALB said:
[quote] Instead of just clearing it leads to a goal. Hayes just skating around aimlessly like a drunk. [/quote
Fine but they have 4 goals on 19 shots and one of them was legit. These guys have to bail out Hank. He's just as bad as that game 3 in Tampa two years ago
we will have a short series. The Rangers outplayed Ottawa by a mile in this game and somehow they have 5 goals, 4 of them ranging from a little soft to ridiculously soft
That is the second time that ref got in the way and stopped the puck
this has happened a lot. To be fair its happened to other goalies too and they've been pulled (Crawford comes to mind) and bounced back later in the postseason.
This game's on Hank. His last 4 periods of hockey have been brutal - I'd seriously consider Raanta in the OT but I dont think AV has the gutts.
I've been complaining about refs getting in the way of pucks for two years now. There's too many on the ice and the speed of the game cant support this model anymore. Especially since linesman calls can be overturned by a fraction of an inch anyway. But nothing will ever change rules wise in this sport.
Meanwhile Holden and Girardi have a ton of turnovers and Kreider was throwing blind behind the back passes in our own zone up 2 goals with 4 minutes left.
AV is what he is - we are seeing tanner glass in game 3
No, this game wasnt on Hank. He didnt do anything special, but a lot of those were either unstoppable or very strong. First goal was bad.
Bullshit. Goals 1 3 and 4 were high school bad. Awful. And he had the brutal game 1 goal. Between Karlsson and Brassard they know how to attack him. Team seems to play a more structured game behind raanta - let's see if it can provide a spark. Nothing to lose at this point.
You score 5 goals in a playoff game - your best player better make it stand up. Yet again I have a hard time defending Hank against detractors about his lack of cups. There have simply been too many postseason performances like today under his belt.
Which I guess jinxed us if you believe in that stuff --
But this will likely be the first series loss to a bad (ok mediocre) team in the lundqvist era. This senators team is going to get annhilated by Pitt / Washington.
The reason this won't bother me as much as Tampa NJ or certainly LA is if we played like this against Pitt / wash - it'd be funny how bad we'd get exposed.
No, this game wasnt on Hank. He didnt do anything special, but a lot of those were either unstoppable or very strong. First goal was bad.
I don't think I'd pull him, but this game was at least partly (significantly) on Hank (IMO).
But Staal is the worst player on the Rangers, worse than Holden. Every game I see with the Rangers I feel like Staal reinforces my impressions over and over again. Staal is the one Gallagher was talking about when he was trying to get his teammates to control the puck below the goal line instead of just cycling. Felt he gave too much space and turned it over when pressured.
He has awful instincts and I don't know, maybe he's compensating for an injury or he's lost a step and knows it, so he's trying to compensate for the lost step, but I'd sit Staal before Holden and Holden is also below average.
And so far in games 1 and 2, Stepan has been fine IMO.
I get it, but we're nowhere near this spot without the way Hank played up until this point. Not a good game today, though I can really only fully put the first and last goal on him, 4th was tipped too. But to pick out 4-5 starts out of 100+ playoff starts where he wasn't good and say he comes up short every year just isn't fair. The defense and this coach are failing this team, not Hank
But their fourth goal to close to 5-4 ... A harmless wrister from the blue line with not much traffic in front even if tipped - cannot happen.
We are not saying he sucks or he should be cut - I'm saying it's hard to sit here most years and say he deserved a cup. No the great ones raise their game this time of year. Too many of these brutal losses.
Even game 2 against LA kings - yes some interference but we put 4 in on quick. That's got to stand up
Yes I love the guy and his two way game ... But great players need to pot that in a playoff overtime. Enough with the excuses - the other guy was better than him in a big spot yet again.
again, WTF was Holden doing pinching on that? Clearly no shot on that play.
Staal wasn't as bad on the 2 on 1 as I initially though, but I wouldn't dive on that yet every defenseman does these days, can't blame Staal for the GW like I first thought. That's on Holden and Hank.
again, WTF was Holden doing pinching on that? Clearly no shot on that play.
Staal wasn't as bad on the 2 on 1 as I initially though, but I wouldn't dive on that yet every defenseman does these days, can't blame Staal for the GW like I first thought. That's on Holden and Hank.
At the end of a shift no less. He's a Fuckin turd.
I don't really follow the Knicks but I do recall the Ewing years being fun too.
Brutal.
They make these leagues so big now it's so tough to end the year happy - I get that, it's why I sometimes feel for the rare good Eagles Fan - but what the fuck.
Really does make you appreciate the Eli manning miracles even more when you see so many other great players come up short so often when it really matters.
5-3 lead blown against a team that had 18 shots in 57 minutes with their best player on a broken foot and favoring a shoulder. I mean FUCK OFF with this. That's 2007 mets choking we saw today. Especially that soft as Swiss cheese 4th goal. Nothing short of it. It can break franchises. It took the mets north of 5 years to recover.
You almost learn to expect the worst and today's bullshit just reinforces these negative feelings on something that is supposed to be fun and a relief from real life. Fuck this.
i thought in the past it was only one pick up for grabs?
Anyway I like the notion of a lottery which prevents tanking - fuck Colorado.
Our window likely got shorter with that result tonight. Going to be a big offseason for Gorton.
Same format. Just stupid IMO, that the Flyers who had 88 points have the 2nd pick.
I don't like tanking either, but I also don't like the draft being so random.
Well 88 isn't much - my only complaint is it should be open kimono - the world sees it live. Not this 'trust me' we audited it bullshit
And every non playoff pick should go through a lottery not just top 6. If flyers legit got 2nd with 6% chance - then good for them. They didn't get to cheer much this year versus what Colorado did so I'm fine with idea in principle. Just think it can be tweaked
The Av's had 48 points, the Canucks 69, Coyotes had 70. I don't even think the Av's really tanked. If they did they would have traded Duschene and Landeskog.
The Flyers were not a terrible team I don't mind simple reverse order of the standings.
tanking has box office ramifications. fans don't always like it and attendance drops a lot for many bad teams.
The Av's had 48 points, the Canucks 69, Coyotes had 70. I don't even think the Av's really tanked. If they did they would have traded Duschene and Landeskog.
The Flyers were not a terrible team I don't mind simple reverse order of the standings.
tanking has box office ramifications. fans don't always like it and attendance drops a lot for many bad teams.
This league is socialist when it comes to the cap. Way worse than any other league. As Rangers and canadiens fans we put up with a ton of bullshit on this Guys take below value deals everywhere because of this system - even the elite players I have to sit on a dildo every year because Crosby ovechkin and even Stamkos took well below market deals to help their teams manage through this.
So forgive me if I don't feel for bad teams that tried to emulate Edmonton and pay nothing on their team when they could easily have brought in more 2nd and 3rd line talents to get more points - don't get to accumulate generational talents through a draft.
In a way as much as I hate flyers fans - I'm proud that a team that keeps at least trying to compete out there lucks into a 2 pick after missing the playoffs or facing the caps for 3 straight years now.
Back to the Rangers - raanta should be in net in game 3 and if you're not going to play Buchnevich in game anyway, might as well go glass and lose with your guys. Up to you AV. You're used to embarrassing yourself this time of year so go right ahead
The Av's had 48 points, the Canucks 69, Coyotes had 70. I don't even think the Av's really tanked. If they did they would have traded Duschene and Landeskog.
The Flyers were not a terrible team I don't mind simple reverse order of the standings.
tanking has box office ramifications. fans don't always like it and attendance drops a lot for many bad teams.
This league is socialist when it comes to the cap. Way worse than any other league. As Rangers and canadiens fans we put up with a ton of bullshit on this Guys take below value deals everywhere because of this system - even the elite players I have to sit on a dildo every year because Crosby ovechkin and even Stamkos took well below market deals to help their teams manage through this.
So forgive me if I don't feel for bad teams that tried to emulate Edmonton and pay nothing on their team when they could easily have brought in more 2nd and 3rd line talents to get more points - don't get to accumulate generational talents through a draft.
In a way as much as I hate flyers fans - I'm proud that a team that keeps at least trying to compete out there lucks into a 2 pick after missing the playoffs or facing the caps for 3 straight years now.
Back to the Rangers - raanta should be in net in game 3 and if you're not going to play Buchnevich in game anyway, might as well go glass and lose with your guys. Up to you AV. You're used to embarrassing yourself this time of year so go right ahead
cap, spending, contracts, etc. is my biggest blind spot in hockey, so I'll take your word for it, but in general I don't have a problem with shedding salary for a rebuild, obviously don't like teams just deciding to be cheap.
I don't think you can yank Hank after this one game. He really did win the Canadiens series by outplaying Price. I think the Rangers have to give him another game, problem is game 3 is a must-win so if he's off his game it's a fatal mistake. I'd roll the dice with Hank though.
If we didn't have a good back up I wouldn't say this - but sometimes you have to be bold to change a series. Ottawa appears to be in Hanks head. He's been terrible.
And It's not even uncommon anymore that cups are won with two goalies.
What's to lose now anyway? Feelings are hurt? And yes I understan yet again we couldn't produce in an overtime Nash in particular can go fuck himself not converting that lay up
If we didn't have a good back up I wouldn't say this - but sometimes you have to be bold to change a series. Ottawa appears to be in Hanks head. He's been terrible.
And It's not even uncommon anymore that cups are won with two goalies.
What's to lose now anyway? Feelings are hurt? And yes I understan yet again we couldn't produce in an overtime Nash in particular can go fuck himself not converting that lay up
Game 1 Hank was incredible IMO. The Senators had like 45 shots, many quality scoring chances. That GW was obviously soft, but I don't put the game 1 loss on Hank. Could have easily been 4 or 5 to 1 (not discounting how well Andersen played).
Until the shot at the end from behind the goal line that went in. Your best players need to be at their best when the stakes are highest.
Clearly today he was rattled because we didn't get NHL goaltending today.
I would make the switch. I don't see much downside at this point. What are the odds to come back 0-2 in a series when Corsi is fairly even over two games? 10%?
Until the shot at the end from behind the goal line that went in. Your best players need to be at their best when the stakes are highest.
Clearly today he was rattled because we didn't get NHL goaltending today.
I would make the switch. I don't see much downside at this point. What are the odds to come back 0-2 in a series when Corsi is fairly even over two games? 10%?
Well the other thing against bringing in Raanta is when's the last time he played?
Seems like it's been a few weeks.
it's a must-win game, obviously, so nothing would surprise me, but if it's me, I keep Hank in there and make other lineup changes. I'd sit Holden and Staal, but not sure there are two replacements.
Though Staal I think is fine on third pair. But that's a coaching issue
We played Buch and Lindbergh 5 minutes each today in 85 minutes. The coach at this point might as well go 3 lines with glass hitting guys. It worked 30 years ago maybe It will work again. Doubt it given statistical analysis but what do I know
If lundqvist does his job today it's a non issue I get that -- up 2 goals with 3 minutes left its brutal. But 3 lines when the only competitive advantage you have this year is 4 lines ? His overtime strategy was awful (as is faith in Nash at this point)
precisely because of the levels that HL can reach, and frequently does reach in the playoffs. Raanta can't do that. Came into this game with a .948 save percentage in the playoffs. One bad game and it's to the bench? I don't get it. I understand the frustration, this is a good place to vent. I'm pissed off at just about everybody involved in that atrocity to end the 3rd period. But this is just non-sensical
There are 50 things you can do to score there. Be better than the other guy for once. Angle it where not obvious to shoot. Lift the puck. Take a breath and assess. I don't know - STOP FAILING in big spots. I don't know what else to say. It's pathetic how small he comes up in big spots.
Neither is talbot who is just about to will Edmonton to WCF despite his team being badly outplayed both games so far
Nobody said lundqvist was done -- but the last 6 periods or so have been brutal. Atrocious. I was pacing up 5-3 with 4 minutes left and it turns out I was right unfortunately -- even as they had 18 shots in 58 minutes!! we have seen this movie before with this group and we endured it again today
We were all pacing too, but because this defense treats the puck like a hand grenade when they're protecting the lead. Not sure if you've played goal either but characterizing the 4th and 5th goals as soft is nuts. The puck literally changes direction on a tip right in front of him as our defense doesn't pick up anybody yet again. Certainly could have had them if it happened to hit him, but they're not soft goals.
You're just always the first person to rush to bash him after a game like this and when he stands on his head and carries the team there's not a word said. Don't get it. He had 40+ saves in game 1, that's part of those brutal periods you're talking about?
Somehow after all this time, the guy still doesn't get the credit he deserved. he's carried below average defensemen and playoff scoring for years. I know I know, tampa game 3, New Jersey game 5. We hear it over and over. Dude is afforded zero margin for error. 110 playoff starts with a .923 save % and 2.27 GAA. Better numbers than Brodeur, Roy, Price, Quick, among many others.
Come on now. It's one poor game. Literally his first one of the playoffs. It's just easy to blame the goalie I guess.
Ottawa is in his head? He stood on that same head in game 1 and gave us a chance to win when the team played like crap.
And it wasn't a bad game. It was
In most cases a season ended. Playoff time and you give up 6 in under 40 shots? I hope we are good enough to overcome this without home ice in this series but I analytically doubt it. I love lundqvist and I love Nash but I'm calling it what it is -- they likely cost us our season today
Last, best chance for them and it's looking like the same typical 2nd round exit. Talk about being in a team's head, the Pens occupy a lot of space up there for the Caps. Ovechkin seems to be slowing down a bit and they're set for a mass exodus this offseason.
he wants Hank to pull a Tim Thomas or Jonathan Quick (2012 not 2014) and pretty much put the team on his back for 16 games.
Rise up and grab the Conn Smythe along with the cup.
but so far he just hasn't done that and it's a fair criticism/observation. He's had lights out games and then lapses like today. He's was lights out the entire Canadiens series though.
I just think he's the Rangers best chance to win even if Raanta isn't Dustin Tokarski.
Because it's looking like another season without a cup.
But from 2012-15 in the playoffs he posted save percentages of: ..931, 934, .927, .928. Vezina level numbers if that's over a full season. Certainly Conn Smythe worthy
Scoring output in that time: 43 goals in 20 games, 26 goals in 12 games, 64 goals in 25 games, 45 goals in 19 games including two home shutouts in the conference final. The margin is razor thin. He has done his fair share.
Quick had that insane 2012 run but also won a cup in which he posted a 2.58 GAA in the playoffs. The help has got to be there
I have not done research or compiled any of this data but it seems like they are utterly incapable of winning a game in "comfortable" fashion and that they basically never go up by 2 or more goals in a playoff game and actually hold that lead.
How many of our playoff wins have had to come by protecting a 1 goal lead in crunch time and crossing our fingers while the opposing team pulls their goalie and peppers our net with shots for nearly 2 minutes straight? Over the last 5+ season's the number HAS to be close to 90%.
Now we're no longer protecting these 1-goal leads - we're blowing them. And once we blow them, we never ever strike back and come out on top.
It's bizarre. When we can't score, the other team usually doesn't score much either. When we lose, we very rarely get blown out. Then, when we actually do score a handful of goals, we give just as many up.
I watched this game with a handful of guys who are huge NYR fans and we all just seemed to know when it was 5-3 that the Senators were inevitably going to get the 4th goal - we just weren't sure when. But we knew when they did, they'd start to gain that momentum and feel like they could tie it up. Sure enough....
The Rangers were almost invincible for a long time when entering 3rd periods with leads - but even then, we rarely added an extra goal to really put the nail in the coffin. We always had to sweat it out. Now, we look like a team that is scared and plays like they're just hoping the clock runs out before the opponent evens things up.
This was a nauseating loss on so many levels. Especially because once the Senators tied the game, much like Game 2 against MTL, it was over. I might be using selective memory here but I feel like we pretty much NEVER win under these circumstances.
I haven't really read through this thread but if you guys are talking about yanking Hank.. c'mon. It's not happening and it shouldn't. He let a few in today that he shouldn't have but we had a lot of breakdowns in front of him and made way too many mistakes. Raanta isn't saving this series for us.
We dug a huge fucking hole and now we need to get out one game at a time. I really just don't think Ottawa is all that good. Maybe it's sour grapes - I don't know. I'm just not coming out of these games feeling like we're really getting beat as much as I feel like we're doing a lot of really stupid fucking things.
Couple days to re-group here. We're going to need a big time effort in Game 3 at home. I'm not convinced this series is over yet. But we're going to have to get our shit together immediately. We no longer have any margin for error.
Rangers were 19th in GF% (5 on 5) during 16-17 when up 1. 12th 5v5 all.
14th in 15-16 up 1. 3rd 5v5 all.
3rd vs. 6th in 14-15, so not a big change.
3rd in all, 10th in +1 in 13-14.
Their Sv% up 1 in the past few years: 15th, 6th, 5th, 1st.
I blame the coaching in large part. Look at Smith/Skjei's ice time yesterday. Lindberg/Buch got ~5 minutes each. The coach has also relied on bad defensemen (Girardi/Staal) the past couple years in those situations and it's predictably backfired on him.
I don't get how Gorton isn't furious - he, again, spends assets on upgrading the D and the coach plays the on the third pair. AV is utterly lost managing the defense. I thought he did a great job against Montreal and he deserves credit for that - but he's making the same mistakes again. And it's killing the team.
Sean Hartnett @HartnettHockey 12s12 seconds ago
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#NYR HC Alain Vigneault on Smith usage: "We were looking for certain matchups." "He was playing with bite, it just happened that way."
AV seems like a lost cause at this point. Two of our three best defensemen don't see the ice for the last six minutes of regulation when protecting a lead. I cannot wrap my mind around that.
AV seems like a lost cause at this point. Two of our three best defensemen don't see the ice for the last six minutes of regulation when protecting a lead. I cannot wrap my mind around that.
It's a total organizational failure at this point. Lundqvist has totally impaired the ability for this team to analyze the defense in recent years because of how good he's been.
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#NYR HC Alain Vigneault on his defensive pairings: "Right now I like the look of our pairs and I don't see myself making any changes there."
Arc, I think that only 2 wins to TB (were not one goal wins) in their 2015 playoff wins were by 2 goals or more, the rest were one goal nail bitters. For example.
Had my youngest daughter's college graduation this weekend so I saw neither Rangers game nor the first Caps game. No way the Rangers could have looked as bad as the Caps did in game 2. And I know the Rangers have been a better road team than at home this year, but I think they will still make a series out of this (just a blind hunch).
Had my youngest daughter's college graduation this weekend so I saw neither Rangers game nor the first Caps game. No way the Rangers could have looked as bad as the Caps did in game 2. And I know the Rangers have been a better road team than at home this year, but I think they will still make a series out of this (just a blind hunch).
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#NYR HC Alain Vigneault on his defensive pairings: "Right now I like the look of our pairs and I don't see myself making any changes there."
Had my youngest daughter's college graduation this weekend so I saw neither Rangers game nor the first Caps game. No way the Rangers could have looked as bad as the Caps did in game 2. And I know the Rangers have been a better road team than at home this year, but I think they will still make a series out of this (just a blind hunch).
Unfortunately, I think my Caps are done.
It's going to get so bad they just cancel game 4?
pj - For all intents and purposes. I've sat through this movie too many times before. I'd love to be wrong, but....
I mean we don't have any alternatives. I think clendening or Kampfer would be better but it's not a surprise that AV doesn't like them. It's his usage that's all wrong.
Was he asked why he went to 3 lines yesterday ? Was it Buchnevichs first period mid ice Turnover even though every vet made a bad play at some point these first two games too?
#NYR Vigneault on Skjei usage: "Mins are based on how you're playing & what you're doing for the team that night what your contribution is."
I'd rather him say "no comment" then this horseshit response to a good question. Skjei was terrific on Saturday... stopped multiple game ending chances for Ottawa by himself and scored twice, yet he played less than Holden/Staal.
During the first round, Valiquette said AV needs to start doing what other teams do and lean heavily on his best defensemen. Eric Karlsson played 37 minutes on one foot.
Did a great job closing out the lead against the Blues.
LOL @ the Habs for trading Subban and McDonagh.
Subban hurts, but the more time goes by the less McDonagh does. He just hasn't developed offensively like I thought he would. The trade was brutal, make no mistake about it, but if McDonagh turned into Chelios like I thought he could I'd feel different.
I like Skjei more than McDonagh the more I watch the Rangers.
Of the three teams down 0-2 I thought they had the best shot only because they had truly cursed puck luck in the first two (and played an all around stupid game in the opener). I still expect them to beat Edmonton and represent the west.
Brett - I'm guessing Nashville played its best defenders down the stretch, didn't have forwards throwing blind behind the back passes in our own zone, and it's goalie was stopping wrist shots from the blue line with minimal traffic in front.
Yesterday's gonna hurt for a long long time. How many two goal leads have been blown and lost in the final 3 minutes of a playoff game ever? Toronto - Boston game 7 is the other one that comes to mind recently. Any others?
that edgework, quickness, and balance was Crosby-esque. I do agree that McDavid is more exciting but that's mostly due to his insane speed with the puck. Crosby is a bit more subtle.
that edgework, quickness, and balance was Crosby-esque. I do agree that McDavid is more exciting but that's mostly due to his insane speed with the puck. Crosby is a bit more subtle.
I agree with this, last night Crosby had an assist where he back checked, laid out and blocked a shot, and swatted the puck from prone on the ice to a streaking teammate (Guentzel or Kessel - I forget) who scored on a 2 on 1. It's the little things Crosby does that amaze me almost every game. Watching him move without the puck he's the most cerebral player since Gretzky IMO. I know it's cliched but he literally does make every player on his team better when they're on the ice with him.
McDavid could surpass Crosby, he's got all the skills to do it, but IMO Crosby is the best player in the league today and I enjoy watching him, but I wouldn't argue with someone who likes to watch McDavid play more....especially a Rangers fan.
Yeah it took me some time to fully appreciate Crosby
but he just does all the little things perfectly. And it's nearly impossible to knock him off the puck, he's a great skater without having great speed, if that makes sense. And seeing the endless parade of wingers he's turned into top playoff scorers just confirmed it. Unfortunately, he's one of the greats
Did a great job closing out the lead against the Blues.
LOL @ the Habs for trading Subban and McDonagh.
Subban hurts, but the more time goes by the less McDonagh does. He just hasn't developed offensively like I thought he would. The trade was brutal, make no mistake about it, but if McDonagh turned into Chelios like I thought he could I'd feel different.
I like Skjei more than McDonagh the more I watch the Rangers.
I really believe the weight of wearing the C on his chest changed his approach in fact the first year he wore it he wasn't even close to the same player he was and it took some time before he was comfortable with it. That and the injuries he's suffered to his foot/ankle can't he discounted in the least. As much as I love his game, I wouldn't label him a quintessential leader/captain.
This series, plus Montreal and clearly is playing at an elite level.
Yet you assholes are questioning him? Gtfoh.
Defensively, he's elite, just not offensively, and there's nothing wrong with that. I like him. I just thought he had future perennial Norris candidate type skills as a prospect, but the offense didn't develop like I thought it would.
The trade was awesome. He's a phenomenal defender, a hell of a hockey player, but he hasn't become that top 5 in the game, perennial Norris candidate that it seems he was heading for after his first couple seasons.
It's not a critique, it's a reality. No problem with his game at all.
And yes, unfortunately, Crosby is absolutely the best hockey player of this era and it's not even close. Him and Mario both pee sitting down, but they are/were amazing hockey players.
This series, plus Montreal and clearly is playing at an elite level.
Yet you assholes are questioning him? Gtfoh.
I was merely commenting on the trajectory that pj was referring to. As I mentioned, I love his game however he's certainly not above reproach. Hell, he was on the ice for two critical goals yesterday where he allowed the forward to skate freely in front of Hank, didn't bother tying up the man up and the result was the player easily deflected the puck into the net.
McDavid is so much fun to watch because not only is he blazing fast
But he can do everything he does at top speed. His moves are unbelievably fast, and he can stop on a dime and get right back up to speed like no one I've ever seen. He's not quite at Crosby's level yet, but he isn't far away, and I think he'll have the more impressive career.
Plus, he's not a stain on humanity, so he's got that going for him.
and I'm still sick to my stomach over this game. I am nearly 100% confident that it cost us the series. Absolute disaster of a game, and literally rage inducing even 2 days later. FUCK.
FUCK FUCK FUCK
RE: McDavid is so much fun to watch because not only is he blazing fast
But he can do everything he does at top speed. His moves are unbelievably fast, and he can stop on a dime and get right back up to speed like no one I've ever seen. He's not quite at Crosby's level yet, but he isn't far away, and I think he'll have the more impressive career.
Plus, he's not a stain on humanity, so he's got that going for him.
McDavid could very well become a better player and still not have a better career in terms of "rings" and accolades. Crosby has 2 stanley cups, 2 Olympic golds, 2 world cup golds, a World Juniors gold plus all the accolades - like Conn Smythe, Ross, etc..
McDavid is so young so it could happen, but that's a steep hill to climb, and Crosby isn't done yet.
and I'm still sick to my stomach over this game. I am nearly 100% confident that it cost us the series. Absolute disaster of a game, and literally rage inducing even 2 days later. FUCK.
FUCK FUCK FUCK
Between now and tomorrow night, snap out of it. Ottawa is a pretty good team, buy the Rangers have been here before. Coming home for 2, and I expect to be going back to Ottawa all tied up.
This series could just as easily be 2-0 rangers right now, and the rangers haven't played well.
Yeah, I know, If the Queen had a peen she'd be the King and all that stuff, but this is where we buck up.
(I'm going to game 3 so I gave myself a pep talk last night to snap out of the 0-2 mental malaise)
Game 2 really took the fucking wind out of my sails.
If we can put together a strong performance tomorrow and win, I'll feel a lot better. But right now, I just feel fucking deflated.
What a kick in the balls, man.
It really sucked to know that we literally had no chance of winning that game in OT, either. Like, there was just no possible way for me to believe the Rangers were going to score again and win the game. Lo and behold...
had the better chances in OT. Nash with the wide open net, Hayes all alone in front, etc. Zibanejad missed an half open net at the end of regulation too
Game 2 against LAK with blowing a 2 goal third period lead and then losing in 2OT - but the Kings had tilted the ice most of that game and scored fairly early in the 3rd period to get within one and then tie.
Nash missing on the doorsteps in OT in game 5 of that same series, and this past one, was eerily deja vu.
Unlike the Kings series though, in this one with just 3 minutes left we had surrendered JUST 18 SHOTS ON NET through 57 minutes. We were dominating - the commentators were saying what a big win this was for us since we'd struggled all year at home, the team is more relaxed on the road, etc.
You just don't know how many more elite 8 opportunities this group is going to get. Flyers/Devils got better this weekend too.
Is what it is. Saturday's Collapse (capital "C" to jon from nj who talked in these terms for the '07 Mets) was unfortunately... historic.
I've been trying to find historic NHL playoff collapses to compare it to, and outside of Toronto's game 7 meltdown vs Boston I cant find many comps (most of the articles talk to blowing 3-0 series leads, Caps meltdowns over the years, etc. though)
I think the Canadiens were a slightly better team than Ottawa, too.
But it doesn't matter because in a 7 game series, where all of these games are so close and literally decided by mere bounces most of the time - an 0-2 hole is very tough to get out of.
It does happen. We saw this team climb out of 1-3 in 2014 vs. PIT and again in 2015 vs. WSH.. but I'm not sure if this team has the resolve. LA got out of 0-3 vs. SJ in 2014, too.
The tone and narrative certainly change quickly with a convincing NYR win tomorrow - as it is the nature of the playoffs - but this team is going to need very short memories.
What's worse about the way these 2 games went is that now, any lead late in a game is going to have the Rangers worrying whether or not they can hold it and the Senators believing they can erase it. We gave that team a LOT of confidence after these first two games. Not good when momentum and morale can play such a large role in these playoff series'.
If he plays 4 more games like he did against the Canadiens or he did in game 1, the Rangers win this series.
one game changes everything.
For whatever reason people like to talk in extremes around here, myself included at times I admit. Hank was excellent against Montreal, and his game 5 save on MaxPac's breakaway won the series.
But lets also acknowledge that 2 of the 3 games Hank has been outstanding in... we ended up losing anyway. He didn't need to be unbelievable in games 1 or 4 against Montreal, but he was solid and that was enough.
Also, Hank doesnt have to be "Habs series Hank" or even g1 Ottawa Hank... to win game 2 - he just needed to have been Steve Mason out there. We ended up giving up 5 regulation goals on 24 shots, very few of them high quality. I'll give you a bad bounce or deflection on one or two, but I'm not asking for Conn Smythe every game here as was alluded to on Saturday... he could have played a generally shitty game and we'd still have won 5-4.
game in game 2, no way around it. Anyone that says differently isn't really being fair.
I'm just saying I expect him to be more like he was consistently against MTL and how he was in game 1 against OTT and if he is the Rangers win the series.
I think the Rangers win game 1 if that replays itself more often than they lose it (though that is clearly a hypothetical).
Guess it was a bit unexpected. Nice to add a RHD. Will be 22 next season. Starting to put some pieces together on the blue line. Re-sign Smith, increase Skeji's usage, get rid of two of the three stooges, and maybe we don't need a huge Shattenkirk contract. Link - ( New Window )
RE: People seem pretty impressed by the Pionk signing
Guess it was a bit unexpected. Nice to add a RHD. Will be 22 next season. Starting to put some pieces together on the blue line. Re-sign Smith, increase Skeji's usage, get rid of two of the three stooges, and maybe we don't need a huge Shattenkirk contract. Link - ( New Window )
not a fan of small defensemen at all, but if you look at rosters of some of the world juniors teams RD seem like they're becoming more and more rare.
Yeah a few guys have broke the mold lately. As long as they can skate and move the puck, size is becoming less and less important. Jared Spurgeon on Minnesota comes to mind. Hopefully we got us one of those Spurgeon - ( New Window )
Yeah a few guys have broke the mold lately. As long as they can skate and move the puck, size is becoming less and less important. Jared Spurgeon on Minnesota comes to mind. Hopefully we got us one of those Spurgeon - ( New Window )
And the Bruins love Torey Krug (though he's very one dimensional), I'm just saying my personal preference is for bigger, longer reach, defensemen.
You can tell from Vigneault's coaching decisions during the game and his comments after the game that he still doesn't get it. Smith and Skjei get buried for no good reason again. The useless Nick fucking Holden played eight more minutes than the vastly superior Smith. In an 82 minute game, Buchnevich and Lindberg played 5 minutes and change. Lindberg, who was one of their very best forwards in the Habs series!!
You know he's dying to stick Glass back in the lineup.
Enjoy Brooklyn or the Panthers, Kovy (TB won't have the cap)
Slava Malamud @SlavaMalamud
Kovalchuk would likely prefer to stay in NYC or wind up in Florida. Wife and 4 kids are a major factor. It will be sign-and-trade, though.
I haven't followed what Kovalchuk has done since he left but the guy was like an 80pt player before he left. He was a beast. If he's still like 80% of that player I'd love him on the Rangers.
McDonagh---Smith (enough of McDonagh/Girardi. I can't stand it anymore)
Skjei----Shattenkirk/Girardi (either Girardi or Staal goes but probably wishful thinking to have both go)
Berezglazov/Graves----Pionk
Kampfer
Adios Klein, Holden and one of Girardi/Staal
RE: my phone just said Crosby left the game with an UBI
Before the crosscheck by Niskanen (despite my belief Niskanen didn't intentionally hit him in the head, Crosby was already off balance from the Ovechkin hits).
Ovechkin has been getting away with dirty playoff play for a decade now. Never been punished for it. I wish i had a dime for all the flying elbows he was throwing in our series' with them 2 and 4 years ago.
But this time he went after the golden child. Maybe the league will finally take notice.
They call it off, confirm goaltender interference. The original review was for the puck going in legally, which it did. Caps challenge for the G interference and win that.
Before the crosscheck by Niskanen (despite my belief Niskanen didn't intentionally hit him in the head, Crosby was already off balance from the Ovechkin hits).
Video of the Ovechkin whacks here.
This. I think the hit by Ovie knocked him loopy to begin with. I hate the yinzers and especially crybaby Sid but this is horseshit. Reminiscent of the Hunter hit, if not as egregious. Fuck the caps. Niskanen deserved maybe a double minor at worst but Ovechkin slashed him in the head.
Slept about 8 hours in the last 72 and was looking forward to a nice 6 hours tonight. Now this fucking game is in OT and I can't stop watching. #firstworldproblems
you were looking for another team that blew the lead like us
Damn that is rough
It's only a choke if you end up losing the game. A win and they are back in the series with Murray letang Crosby and hornqvist all out Wednesday. Lucky break. They just have to score next against a depleted team.
Including to number 8 who's been getting away with this shit for years
Obviously insanely talented, but either Ovechkin was never taught to hit properly or willfully ignores how. He often waits for opponents to turn away and it's right between the numbers. Dangerous.
Niskanen had the cross check. I do agree though that Ovechkin is a reckless player
He sort of fell from the Ovechkin hits right into Niskanen's path; I don't believe Niskanen had any intent to crosscheck him there, IMO. Ovechkin was reckless, it was two quick hits to the upper body/back of the head. That's what should be suspended, not Niskanen.
didn't look like he caught his head with the slash. It obviously caused the fall into Niskanen though. But no way that's suspension worthy in the playoffs
Look at the link in my 8:31 post. Slash to arm that has the blade impact upper chest/neck and the whiplash back and combo of Ovechkin trying to bring his stick up and over has the stick whack the back top of Crosby's head. That 2nd conk on the helmet dazes Crosby, who then slides to his right, off balance eventually into Niskanen's path.
No chance in hell they're suspending Ovi at this point in the playoffs for that. It was dangerous and about the ten thousandth dangerous thing he's done on the ice - but Bettman doesn't have the balls to roll out a suspension for that. I don't think he should, either. Maybe suspend him for like the first couple games of next year if anything.. but that's about all you can do.
is suspended and if there are any suspensions handed out it would be for Niskanen's cross-check albeit I agree w pga that it didn't appear to be intentional. Only reason for a suspension would be to make him the fall guy and to respond to backlash from the Pitt organization.
Crosby was falling when Niskanen hit him, penalty sure because he has a responsibility to control his body and a hit to the head is a hit to the head, misconduct? not in my view.
Injuries are unfortunate, but you don't always need someone to blame or punish for them.
Crosby was falling when Niskanen hit him, penalty sure because he has a responsibility to control his body and a hit to the head is a hit to the head, misconduct? not in my view.
Injuries are unfortunate, but you don't always need someone to blame or punish for them.
This. I can't stand either team, but I think Niskanen was the least "culpable" person in this. Ovechkin - who I also agree won't be suspended - was the reckless one swinging his stick at head level (and connecting) with no regard for player safety, regardless of it being Crosby or anyone else.
Crosby was falling when Niskanen hit him, penalty sure because he has a responsibility to control his body and a hit to the head is a hit to the head, misconduct? not in my view.
Injuries are unfortunate, but you don't always need someone to blame or punish for them.
This. I can't stand either team, but I think Niskanen was the least "culpable" person in this. Ovechkin - who I also agree won't be suspended - was the reckless one swinging his stick at head level (and connecting) with no regard for player safety, regardless of it being Crosby or anyone else.
I think it was Ovechkin's skate hitting Crosby's skate that really caused the problem as opposed to the slash (which should have been a penalty, I agree). Even as a Caps fan I hope Crosby can play in game 4.
Penguins' Sidney Crosby out for Game 4 with concussion
I tend to reverse jinx
I'm sorry. I'm not a lyrical wordsmith like you!
CMON NAK.
Lundqvist v Talbot SCF.
LFGR!!!
No one expects a B in ALB-level of vulgarity and pomp but give us something
Anak Kiper Jr. probably won't even be watching the game, he's got the draft on!
Great thread anak.
Great thread anak.
No, he's ooooot
fucking fuck
Ok then
Team needs to wake the hell up
Wake up. And when will we ever see these top two lines produce?
And vesey and Stepan can't even get shot on net on grade A scoring chance
then Miller shoots right into Anderson's glove.
motherfucker
Anderson isn't even any good but he always stands on his head against us. He thinks he is Carey Price when he sees the Rangers
Keep peppering their net boys. Let's fucking go!!!
This is an absurd penalty kill by the way. They are calling us for slashing and elbowing but 18000 gasped as they saw lundqvist get wrestled to the ground earlier
Finally an Ottawa penalty
Fuck
Fuck
This team can't hang with us if we are playing our best
Keep scoring boys.
That fucking rule ... I swear to god not to mention the linesman almost blocked the entry (and his ruling can be overturned anyway)
Anyway- can we make this stand for fucks sake?
Can we stop opening the ice up for them though (4 on 4)
Brassard did stupid shit like that in the offensive zone all of the time. I always liked the skill set, but when things weren't going his way he turned into a petulant child and started taking stick penalties left and right. High stocks, slashes, trips.
I texted a couple of my buddies after the first period. Need to get pucks deep on Karlsson, make him play facing the glass, and pummel him. Hit him clean, but hit the shit out of him hard and a lot. He's the straw that stirs the entire drink for them. Make him feel pain.
I'm reminded of the Rangers-Oilers game earlier this seasonwhen it seemed like McDavid was on the ice all the time because he was constantly creating scoring chances every shift.
It's the opposite with Holden. It seems like he's on the ice all the time because bad things always happen when he is.
WOOOOOOOW!!!
Haha. Fuckin Gaynak. Nttawwt.
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I'm reminded of the Rangers-Oilers game earlier this seasonwhen it seemed like McDavid was on the ice all the time because he was constantly creating scoring chances every shift.
It's the opposite with Holden. It seems like he's on the ice all the time because bad things always happen when he is.
We all end up Holden our collective breath when he's on the ice.
I'm pacing in my house here. No lead feels safe today.
[quote] Instead of just clearing it leads to a goal. Hayes just skating around aimlessly like a drunk. [/quote
Fine but they have 4 goals on 19 shots and one of them was legit. These guys have to bail out Hank. He's just as bad as that game 3 in Tampa two years ago
This game is more on Henrik than anyone. It's his annual playoff shitshow
Yup. Me too.
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they were comprehensively outplayed but here we are, OT
This game is more on Henrik than anyone. It's his annual playoff shitshow
What a ridiculous post. Annual? Fuck off, the guy carries this team every season. A guy all alone right in front tips it and that's his fault?
that and both games would be of the dick punch variety.
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just knowing how fucking awful we are at home
that and both games would be of the dick punch variety.
We didn't deserve Game 1 but we should have won Game 2 by 3 or 4 goals
this has happened a lot. To be fair its happened to other goalies too and they've been pulled (Crawford comes to mind) and bounced back later in the postseason.
This game's on Hank. His last 4 periods of hockey have been brutal - I'd seriously consider Raanta in the OT but I dont think AV has the gutts.
I've been complaining about refs getting in the way of pucks for two years now. There's too many on the ice and the speed of the game cant support this model anymore. Especially since linesman calls can be overturned by a fraction of an inch anyway. But nothing will ever change rules wise in this sport.
Bottom line this is a must win or season is over.
The year prior he was atrocious in a game in montreal
The guys is a stud but he has played some truly horrific games in the playoffs numerous times
The guy has obviously had a great career but there have been a lot of Peyton manning moments when we needed him most. Brutal.
Probably shellshocked
Why bother.
Meanwhile Holden and Girardi have a ton of turnovers and Kreider was throwing blind behind the back passes in our own zone up 2 goals with 4 minutes left.
AV is what he is - we are seeing tanner glass in game 3
Wrong. They wanted it more!!
pathetic effort
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They had no right to win this one but they did
Wrong. They wanted it more!!
Nope. Rangers got 15 more shots on net
No, this game wasnt on Hank. He didnt do anything special, but a lot of those were either unstoppable or very strong. First goal was bad.
He's the fucking Cooler.
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In comment 13453762 dpinzow said:
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They had no right to win this one but they did
Wrong. They wanted it more!!
Nope. Rangers got 15 more shots on net
Shots on net is a misleading stat. The only shots that count are the ones that go in the net
He's the fucking Cooler.
Wasting your breath. AV loves this guy!
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It's not even a question
No, this game wasnt on Hank. He didnt do anything special, but a lot of those were either unstoppable or very strong. First goal was bad.
Bullshit. Goals 1 3 and 4 were high school bad. Awful. And he had the brutal game 1 goal. Between Karlsson and Brassard they know how to attack him. Team seems to play a more structured game behind raanta - let's see if it can provide a spark. Nothing to lose at this point.
You score 5 goals in a playoff game - your best player better make it stand up. Yet again I have a hard time defending Hank against detractors about his lack of cups. There have simply been too many postseason performances like today under his belt.
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They had no right to win this one but they did
Wrong. They wanted it more!!
Really? Wanted it more? John Gruden like analysis. I seriously doubt the Sens wanted to win more than the Rangers.
Regroup at home. Sack up. Take it to them next game.
But this will likely be the first series loss to a bad (ok mediocre) team in the lundqvist era. This senators team is going to get annhilated by Pitt / Washington.
The reason this won't bother me as much as Tampa NJ or certainly LA is if we played like this against Pitt / wash - it'd be funny how bad we'd get exposed.
Hardly.
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It's not even a question
No, this game wasnt on Hank. He didnt do anything special, but a lot of those were either unstoppable or very strong. First goal was bad.
I don't think I'd pull him, but this game was at least partly (significantly) on Hank (IMO).
But Staal is the worst player on the Rangers, worse than Holden. Every game I see with the Rangers I feel like Staal reinforces my impressions over and over again. Staal is the one Gallagher was talking about when he was trying to get his teammates to control the puck below the goal line instead of just cycling. Felt he gave too much space and turned it over when pressured.
He has awful instincts and I don't know, maybe he's compensating for an injury or he's lost a step and knows it, so he's trying to compensate for the lost step, but I'd sit Staal before Holden and Holden is also below average.
And so far in games 1 and 2, Stepan has been fine IMO.
C'mon AV.
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Hardly.
Sadly you are right. Tampa game 3 and Montreal game5 put this one to shame.
Nash missing the easy score in OT also kind of summarized life as a Rangers fan in the HL era too. The moment I guess gets too big for these guys.
We are not saying he sucks or he should be cut - I'm saying it's hard to sit here most years and say he deserved a cup. No the great ones raise their game this time of year. Too many of these brutal losses.
Even game 2 against LA kings - yes some interference but we put 4 in on quick. That's got to stand up
Staal wasn't as bad on the 2 on 1 as I initially though, but I wouldn't dive on that yet every defenseman does these days, can't blame Staal for the GW like I first thought. That's on Holden and Hank.
I'm just shellshocked and disgusted and just all-around miserable.
I'm just shellshocked and disgusted and just all-around miserable.
This lottery is stupid. Three teams who finished outside the worst 5 teams are all picking top 3.
Staal wasn't as bad on the 2 on 1 as I initially though, but I wouldn't dive on that yet every defenseman does these days, can't blame Staal for the GW like I first thought. That's on Holden and Hank.
At the end of a shift no less. He's a Fuckin turd.
Brutal.
They make these leagues so big now it's so tough to end the year happy - I get that, it's why I sometimes feel for the rare good Eagles Fan - but what the fuck.
Really does make you appreciate the Eli manning miracles even more when you see so many other great players come up short so often when it really matters.
5-3 lead blown against a team that had 18 shots in 57 minutes with their best player on a broken foot and favoring a shoulder. I mean FUCK OFF with this. That's 2007 mets choking we saw today. Especially that soft as Swiss cheese 4th goal. Nothing short of it. It can break franchises. It took the mets north of 5 years to recover.
You almost learn to expect the worst and today's bullshit just reinforces these negative feelings on something that is supposed to be fun and a relief from real life. Fuck this.
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Flyers and Devils are secured spots in the top 3. FUCK. FUCK. I never saw Nolan Patrick play (never saw any of them play), but this fucking sucks.
I'm just shellshocked and disgusted and just all-around miserable.
This lottery is stupid. Three teams who finished outside the worst 5 teams are all picking top 3.
...Unless it works for the Knicks and we end up picking in the top 3...
Seriously. SERIOUSLY? Do the hockey gods really hate us that much?
Seriously. SERIOUSLY? Do the hockey gods really hate us that much?
Good news is no Matthews and Laine or McDavid and Eichel at the top of the draft.
I like the Siwss kid (Hischier) and Patrick, but Nolan Patrick isn't in the same class as the top picks of the past few drafts.
So, there's that.
Settle down anak. This is all your fault bc of this fugazi thread. Sad.
Anyway I like the notion of a lottery which prevents tanking - fuck Colorado.
Our window likely got shorter with that result tonight. Going to be a big offseason for Gorton.
Anyway I like the notion of a lottery which prevents tanking - fuck Colorado.
Our window likely got shorter with that result tonight. Going to be a big offseason for Gorton.
Same format. Just stupid IMO, that the Flyers who had 88 points have the 2nd pick.
I don't like tanking either, but I also don't like the draft being so random.
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i thought in the past it was only one pick up for grabs?
Anyway I like the notion of a lottery which prevents tanking - fuck Colorado.
Our window likely got shorter with that result tonight. Going to be a big offseason for Gorton.
Same format. Just stupid IMO, that the Flyers who had 88 points have the 2nd pick.
I don't like tanking either, but I also don't like the draft being so random.
Well 88 isn't much - my only complaint is it should be open kimono - the world sees it live. Not this 'trust me' we audited it bullshit
And every non playoff pick should go through a lottery not just top 6. If flyers legit got 2nd with 6% chance - then good for them. They didn't get to cheer much this year versus what Colorado did so I'm fine with idea in principle. Just think it can be tweaked
The Av's had 48 points, the Canucks 69, Coyotes had 70. I don't even think the Av's really tanked. If they did they would have traded Duschene and Landeskog.
The Flyers were not a terrible team I don't mind simple reverse order of the standings.
tanking has box office ramifications. fans don't always like it and attendance drops a lot for many bad teams.
The Av's had 48 points, the Canucks 69, Coyotes had 70. I don't even think the Av's really tanked. If they did they would have traded Duschene and Landeskog.
The Flyers were not a terrible team I don't mind simple reverse order of the standings.
tanking has box office ramifications. fans don't always like it and attendance drops a lot for many bad teams.
This league is socialist when it comes to the cap. Way worse than any other league. As Rangers and canadiens fans we put up with a ton of bullshit on this Guys take below value deals everywhere because of this system - even the elite players I have to sit on a dildo every year because Crosby ovechkin and even Stamkos took well below market deals to help their teams manage through this.
So forgive me if I don't feel for bad teams that tried to emulate Edmonton and pay nothing on their team when they could easily have brought in more 2nd and 3rd line talents to get more points - don't get to accumulate generational talents through a draft.
In a way as much as I hate flyers fans - I'm proud that a team that keeps at least trying to compete out there lucks into a 2 pick after missing the playoffs or facing the caps for 3 straight years now.
Back to the Rangers - raanta should be in net in game 3 and if you're not going to play Buchnevich in game anyway, might as well go glass and lose with your guys. Up to you AV. You're used to embarrassing yourself this time of year so go right ahead
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is 3 games out of the playoffs.
The Av's had 48 points, the Canucks 69, Coyotes had 70. I don't even think the Av's really tanked. If they did they would have traded Duschene and Landeskog.
The Flyers were not a terrible team I don't mind simple reverse order of the standings.
tanking has box office ramifications. fans don't always like it and attendance drops a lot for many bad teams.
This league is socialist when it comes to the cap. Way worse than any other league. As Rangers and canadiens fans we put up with a ton of bullshit on this Guys take below value deals everywhere because of this system - even the elite players I have to sit on a dildo every year because Crosby ovechkin and even Stamkos took well below market deals to help their teams manage through this.
So forgive me if I don't feel for bad teams that tried to emulate Edmonton and pay nothing on their team when they could easily have brought in more 2nd and 3rd line talents to get more points - don't get to accumulate generational talents through a draft.
In a way as much as I hate flyers fans - I'm proud that a team that keeps at least trying to compete out there lucks into a 2 pick after missing the playoffs or facing the caps for 3 straight years now.
Back to the Rangers - raanta should be in net in game 3 and if you're not going to play Buchnevich in game anyway, might as well go glass and lose with your guys. Up to you AV. You're used to embarrassing yourself this time of year so go right ahead
cap, spending, contracts, etc. is my biggest blind spot in hockey, so I'll take your word for it, but in general I don't have a problem with shedding salary for a rebuild, obviously don't like teams just deciding to be cheap.
I don't think you can yank Hank after this one game. He really did win the Canadiens series by outplaying Price. I think the Rangers have to give him another game, problem is game 3 is a must-win so if he's off his game it's a fatal mistake. I'd roll the dice with Hank though.
If we didn't have a good back up I wouldn't say this - but sometimes you have to be bold to change a series. Ottawa appears to be in Hanks head. He's been terrible.
And It's not even uncommon anymore that cups are won with two goalies.
What's to lose now anyway? Feelings are hurt? And yes I understan yet again we couldn't produce in an overtime Nash in particular can go fuck himself not converting that lay up
But for us year after year there's excuse after excuse why he can't convert the simplest of winning goals. Whatever.
If we didn't have a good back up I wouldn't say this - but sometimes you have to be bold to change a series. Ottawa appears to be in Hanks head. He's been terrible.
And It's not even uncommon anymore that cups are won with two goalies.
What's to lose now anyway? Feelings are hurt? And yes I understan yet again we couldn't produce in an overtime Nash in particular can go fuck himself not converting that lay up
Game 1 Hank was incredible IMO. The Senators had like 45 shots, many quality scoring chances. That GW was obviously soft, but I don't put the game 1 loss on Hank. Could have easily been 4 or 5 to 1 (not discounting how well Andersen played).
Clearly today he was rattled because we didn't get NHL goaltending today.
I would make the switch. I don't see much downside at this point. What are the odds to come back 0-2 in a series when Corsi is fairly even over two games? 10%?
Clearly today he was rattled because we didn't get NHL goaltending today.
I would make the switch. I don't see much downside at this point. What are the odds to come back 0-2 in a series when Corsi is fairly even over two games? 10%?
Well the other thing against bringing in Raanta is when's the last time he played?
Seems like it's been a few weeks.
it's a must-win game, obviously, so nothing would surprise me, but if it's me, I keep Hank in there and make other lineup changes. I'd sit Holden and Staal, but not sure there are two replacements.
Ottawa is in his head? He stood on that same head in game 1 and gave us a chance to win when the team played like crap.
Fucking stupid.
We played Buch and Lindbergh 5 minutes each today in 85 minutes. The coach at this point might as well go 3 lines with glass hitting guys. It worked 30 years ago maybe It will work again. Doubt it given statistical analysis but what do I know
If lundqvist does his job today it's a non issue I get that -- up 2 goals with 3 minutes left its brutal. But 3 lines when the only competitive advantage you have this year is 4 lines ? His overtime strategy was awful (as is faith in Nash at this point)
There are 50 things you can do to score there. Be better than the other guy for once. Angle it where not obvious to shoot. Lift the puck. Take a breath and assess. I don't know - STOP FAILING in big spots. I don't know what else to say. It's pathetic how small he comes up in big spots.
Neither is talbot who is just about to will Edmonton to WCF despite his team being badly outplayed both games so far
Nobody said lundqvist was done -- but the last 6 periods or so have been brutal. Atrocious. I was pacing up 5-3 with 4 minutes left and it turns out I was right unfortunately -- even as they had 18 shots in 58 minutes!! we have seen this movie before with this group and we endured it again today
...debacle today.
Depend upon it.
They are cooked.
...debacle today.
Depend upon it.
They are cooked.
Who are you? Never post on a Rangers thread all season, then you bring your bullshit ellipses? Be gone.
You're just always the first person to rush to bash him after a game like this and when he stands on his head and carries the team there's not a word said. Don't get it. He had 40+ saves in game 1, that's part of those brutal periods you're talking about?
Somehow after all this time, the guy still doesn't get the credit he deserved. he's carried below average defensemen and playoff scoring for years. I know I know, tampa game 3, New Jersey game 5. We hear it over and over. Dude is afforded zero margin for error. 110 playoff starts with a .923 save % and 2.27 GAA. Better numbers than Brodeur, Roy, Price, Quick, among many others.
Ottawa is in his head? He stood on that same head in game 1 and gave us a chance to win when the team played like crap.
And it wasn't a bad game. It was
In most cases a season ended. Playoff time and you give up 6 in under 40 shots? I hope we are good enough to overcome this without home ice in this series but I analytically doubt it. I love lundqvist and I love Nash but I'm calling it what it is -- they likely cost us our season today
Rise up and grab the Conn Smythe along with the cup.
but so far he just hasn't done that and it's a fair criticism/observation. He's had lights out games and then lapses like today. He's was lights out the entire Canadiens series though.
I just think he's the Rangers best chance to win even if Raanta isn't Dustin Tokarski.
But from 2012-15 in the playoffs he posted save percentages of: ..931, 934, .927, .928. Vezina level numbers if that's over a full season. Certainly Conn Smythe worthy
Scoring output in that time: 43 goals in 20 games, 26 goals in 12 games, 64 goals in 25 games, 45 goals in 19 games including two home shutouts in the conference final. The margin is razor thin. He has done his fair share.
Quick had that insane 2012 run but also won a cup in which he posted a 2.58 GAA in the playoffs. The help has got to be there
Go Rangers
I have not done research or compiled any of this data but it seems like they are utterly incapable of winning a game in "comfortable" fashion and that they basically never go up by 2 or more goals in a playoff game and actually hold that lead.
How many of our playoff wins have had to come by protecting a 1 goal lead in crunch time and crossing our fingers while the opposing team pulls their goalie and peppers our net with shots for nearly 2 minutes straight? Over the last 5+ season's the number HAS to be close to 90%.
Now we're no longer protecting these 1-goal leads - we're blowing them. And once we blow them, we never ever strike back and come out on top.
It's bizarre. When we can't score, the other team usually doesn't score much either. When we lose, we very rarely get blown out. Then, when we actually do score a handful of goals, we give just as many up.
I watched this game with a handful of guys who are huge NYR fans and we all just seemed to know when it was 5-3 that the Senators were inevitably going to get the 4th goal - we just weren't sure when. But we knew when they did, they'd start to gain that momentum and feel like they could tie it up. Sure enough....
The Rangers were almost invincible for a long time when entering 3rd periods with leads - but even then, we rarely added an extra goal to really put the nail in the coffin. We always had to sweat it out. Now, we look like a team that is scared and plays like they're just hoping the clock runs out before the opponent evens things up.
This was a nauseating loss on so many levels. Especially because once the Senators tied the game, much like Game 2 against MTL, it was over. I might be using selective memory here but I feel like we pretty much NEVER win under these circumstances.
I haven't really read through this thread but if you guys are talking about yanking Hank.. c'mon. It's not happening and it shouldn't. He let a few in today that he shouldn't have but we had a lot of breakdowns in front of him and made way too many mistakes. Raanta isn't saving this series for us.
We dug a huge fucking hole and now we need to get out one game at a time. I really just don't think Ottawa is all that good. Maybe it's sour grapes - I don't know. I'm just not coming out of these games feeling like we're really getting beat as much as I feel like we're doing a lot of really stupid fucking things.
Couple days to re-group here. We're going to need a big time effort in Game 3 at home. I'm not convinced this series is over yet. But we're going to have to get our shit together immediately. We no longer have any margin for error.
14th in 15-16 up 1. 3rd 5v5 all.
3rd vs. 6th in 14-15, so not a big change.
3rd in all, 10th in +1 in 13-14.
Their Sv% up 1 in the past few years: 15th, 6th, 5th, 1st.
I blame the coaching in large part. Look at Smith/Skjei's ice time yesterday. Lindberg/Buch got ~5 minutes each. The coach has also relied on bad defensemen (Girardi/Staal) the past couple years in those situations and it's predictably backfired on him.
I don't get how Gorton isn't furious - he, again, spends assets on upgrading the D and the coach plays the on the third pair. AV is utterly lost managing the defense. I thought he did a great job against Montreal and he deserves credit for that - but he's making the same mistakes again. And it's killing the team.
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#NYR HC Alain Vigneault on Smith usage: "We were looking for certain matchups." "He was playing with bite, it just happened that way."
AV seems like a lost cause at this point. Two of our three best defensemen don't see the ice for the last six minutes of regulation when protecting a lead. I cannot wrap my mind around that.
AV seems like a lost cause at this point. Two of our three best defensemen don't see the ice for the last six minutes of regulation when protecting a lead. I cannot wrap my mind around that.
It's a total organizational failure at this point. Lundqvist has totally impaired the ability for this team to analyze the defense in recent years because of how good he's been.
@HartnettHockey
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#NYR HC Alain Vigneault on his defensive pairings: "Right now I like the look of our pairs and I don't see myself making any changes there."
It ain't over yet folks -- rub some dirt on it and suk it up
Go Rangers!!!!
It ain't over yet folks -- rub some dirt on it and suk it up
Go Rangers!!!!
Sorry gid. But you don't get a say when you only showed up during the playoffs. No sir.
Had my youngest daughter's college graduation this weekend so I saw neither Rangers game nor the first Caps game. No way the Rangers could have looked as bad as the Caps did in game 2. And I know the Rangers have been a better road team than at home this year, but I think they will still make a series out of this (just a blind hunch).
Unfortunately, I think my Caps are done.
Had my youngest daughter's college graduation this weekend so I saw neither Rangers game nor the first Caps game. No way the Rangers could have looked as bad as the Caps did in game 2. And I know the Rangers have been a better road team than at home this year, but I think they will still make a series out of this (just a blind hunch).
Unfortunately, I think my Caps are done.
It's going to get so bad they just cancel game 4?
@HartnettHockey
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#NYR HC Alain Vigneault on his defensive pairings: "Right now I like the look of our pairs and I don't see myself making any changes there."
I... I just don't know what to say.
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... will the series against the Caps in 3 games.
Had my youngest daughter's college graduation this weekend so I saw neither Rangers game nor the first Caps game. No way the Rangers could have looked as bad as the Caps did in game 2. And I know the Rangers have been a better road team than at home this year, but I think they will still make a series out of this (just a blind hunch).
Unfortunately, I think my Caps are done.
It's going to get so bad they just cancel game 4?
pj - For all intents and purposes. I've sat through this movie too many times before. I'd love to be wrong, but....
Was he asked why he went to 3 lines yesterday ? Was it Buchnevichs first period mid ice Turnover even though every vet made a bad play at some point these first two games too?
I'm guessing we'll see glass Tuesday
AVs 'accountability' and his statistics discussions make me roll my eyes these days. He's so full of shit. At least Torts was an asshole to your face.
Kovalchuk Wants Sign-And-Trade To NYC Or Florida
I'd rather him say "no comment" then this horseshit response to a good question. Skjei was terrific on Saturday... stopped multiple game ending chances for Ottawa by himself and scored twice, yet he played less than Holden/Staal.
During the first round, Valiquette said AV needs to start doing what other teams do and lean heavily on his best defensemen. Eric Karlsson played 37 minutes on one foot.
Sorry gid. But you don't get a say when you only showed up during the playoffs. No sir.
Now there's a load of bull -- I have a say
: P
LOL @ the Habs for trading Subban and McDonagh.
LOL @ the Habs for trading Subban and McDonagh.
Subban hurts, but the more time goes by the less McDonagh does. He just hasn't developed offensively like I thought he would. The trade was brutal, make no mistake about it, but if McDonagh turned into Chelios like I thought he could I'd feel different.
I like Skjei more than McDonagh the more I watch the Rangers.
Of the three teams down 0-2 I thought they had the best shot only because they had truly cursed puck luck in the first two (and played an all around stupid game in the opener). I still expect them to beat Edmonton and represent the west.
Brett - I'm guessing Nashville played its best defenders down the stretch, didn't have forwards throwing blind behind the back passes in our own zone, and it's goalie was stopping wrist shots from the blue line with minimal traffic in front.
Yesterday's gonna hurt for a long long time. How many two goal leads have been blown and lost in the final 3 minutes of a playoff game ever? Toronto - Boston game 7 is the other one that comes to mind recently. Any others?
The Oilers jerseys are ugly as hell.
The Oilers jerseys are ugly as hell.
He's definitely faster and speed is exciting to watch, but after watching that McDavid goal I thought it was a lot like a Crosby goal.
Talbot with the softy, fun game, wide open, with some hitting. Crowd there is nuts.
McDavid is special though
I agree with this, last night Crosby had an assist where he back checked, laid out and blocked a shot, and swatted the puck from prone on the ice to a streaking teammate (Guentzel or Kessel - I forget) who scored on a 2 on 1. It's the little things Crosby does that amaze me almost every game. Watching him move without the puck he's the most cerebral player since Gretzky IMO. I know it's cliched but he literally does make every player on his team better when they're on the ice with him.
McDavid could surpass Crosby, he's got all the skills to do it, but IMO Crosby is the best player in the league today and I enjoy watching him, but I wouldn't argue with someone who likes to watch McDavid play more....especially a Rangers fan.
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Did a great job closing out the lead against the Blues.
LOL @ the Habs for trading Subban and McDonagh.
Subban hurts, but the more time goes by the less McDonagh does. He just hasn't developed offensively like I thought he would. The trade was brutal, make no mistake about it, but if McDonagh turned into Chelios like I thought he could I'd feel different.
I like Skjei more than McDonagh the more I watch the Rangers.
I really believe the weight of wearing the C on his chest changed his approach in fact the first year he wore it he wasn't even close to the same player he was and it took some time before he was comfortable with it. That and the injuries he's suffered to his foot/ankle can't he discounted in the least. As much as I love his game, I wouldn't label him a quintessential leader/captain.
Yet you assholes are questioning him? Gtfoh.
Yet you assholes are questioning him? Gtfoh.
Defensively, he's elite, just not offensively, and there's nothing wrong with that. I like him. I just thought he had future perennial Norris candidate type skills as a prospect, but the offense didn't develop like I thought it would.
not a criticism really.
It's not a critique, it's a reality. No problem with his game at all.
And yes, unfortunately, Crosby is absolutely the best hockey player of this era and it's not even close. Him and Mario both pee sitting down, but they are/were amazing hockey players.
Yet you assholes are questioning him? Gtfoh.
I was merely commenting on the trajectory that pj was referring to. As I mentioned, I love his game however he's certainly not above reproach. Hell, he was on the ice for two critical goals yesterday where he allowed the forward to skate freely in front of Hank, didn't bother tying up the man up and the result was the player easily deflected the puck into the net.
Plus, he's not a stain on humanity, so he's got that going for him.
FUCK FUCK FUCK
Plus, he's not a stain on humanity, so he's got that going for him.
McDavid could very well become a better player and still not have a better career in terms of "rings" and accolades. Crosby has 2 stanley cups, 2 Olympic golds, 2 world cup golds, a World Juniors gold plus all the accolades - like Conn Smythe, Ross, etc..
McDavid is so young so it could happen, but that's a steep hill to climb, and Crosby isn't done yet.
FUCK FUCK FUCK
Between now and tomorrow night, snap out of it. Ottawa is a pretty good team, buy the Rangers have been here before. Coming home for 2, and I expect to be going back to Ottawa all tied up.
This series could just as easily be 2-0 rangers right now, and the rangers haven't played well.
Yeah, I know, If the Queen had a peen she'd be the King and all that stuff, but this is where we buck up.
(I'm going to game 3 so I gave myself a pep talk last night to snap out of the 0-2 mental malaise)
If we can put together a strong performance tomorrow and win, I'll feel a lot better. But right now, I just feel fucking deflated.
What a kick in the balls, man.
It really sucked to know that we literally had no chance of winning that game in OT, either. Like, there was just no possible way for me to believe the Rangers were going to score again and win the game. Lo and behold...
Just a really shitty way to lose
Game 2 against LAK with blowing a 2 goal third period lead and then losing in 2OT - but the Kings had tilted the ice most of that game and scored fairly early in the 3rd period to get within one and then tie.
Nash missing on the doorsteps in OT in game 5 of that same series, and this past one, was eerily deja vu.
Unlike the Kings series though, in this one with just 3 minutes left we had surrendered JUST 18 SHOTS ON NET through 57 minutes. We were dominating - the commentators were saying what a big win this was for us since we'd struggled all year at home, the team is more relaxed on the road, etc.
You just don't know how many more elite 8 opportunities this group is going to get. Flyers/Devils got better this weekend too.
Is what it is. Saturday's Collapse (capital "C" to jon from nj who talked in these terms for the '07 Mets) was unfortunately... historic.
I've been trying to find historic NHL playoff collapses to compare it to, and outside of Toronto's game 7 meltdown vs Boston I cant find many comps (most of the articles talk to blowing 3-0 series leads, Caps meltdowns over the years, etc. though)
Depressing to say the least.
I think the Rangers actually were motivated by the Canadiens physical play and it forced them to be more careful.
But the story of the Canadiens series was Hank.
If he plays 4 more games like he did against the Canadiens or he did in game 1, the Rangers win this series.
one game changes everything.
I do think this is a must win tomorrow night and I do think the Rangers win it.
But it doesn't matter because in a 7 game series, where all of these games are so close and literally decided by mere bounces most of the time - an 0-2 hole is very tough to get out of.
It does happen. We saw this team climb out of 1-3 in 2014 vs. PIT and again in 2015 vs. WSH.. but I'm not sure if this team has the resolve. LA got out of 0-3 vs. SJ in 2014, too.
The tone and narrative certainly change quickly with a convincing NYR win tomorrow - as it is the nature of the playoffs - but this team is going to need very short memories.
What's worse about the way these 2 games went is that now, any lead late in a game is going to have the Rangers worrying whether or not they can hold it and the Senators believing they can erase it. We gave that team a LOT of confidence after these first two games. Not good when momentum and morale can play such a large role in these playoff series'.
But the story of the Canadiens series was Hank.
If he plays 4 more games like he did against the Canadiens or he did in game 1, the Rangers win this series.
one game changes everything.
For whatever reason people like to talk in extremes around here, myself included at times I admit. Hank was excellent against Montreal, and his game 5 save on MaxPac's breakaway won the series.
But lets also acknowledge that 2 of the 3 games Hank has been outstanding in... we ended up losing anyway. He didn't need to be unbelievable in games 1 or 4 against Montreal, but he was solid and that was enough.
Also, Hank doesnt have to be "Habs series Hank" or even g1 Ottawa Hank... to win game 2 - he just needed to have been Steve Mason out there. We ended up giving up 5 regulation goals on 24 shots, very few of them high quality. I'll give you a bad bounce or deflection on one or two, but I'm not asking for Conn Smythe every game here as was alluded to on Saturday... he could have played a generally shitty game and we'd still have won 5-4.
I'm just saying I expect him to be more like he was consistently against MTL and how he was in game 1 against OTT and if he is the Rangers win the series.
I think the Rangers win game 1 if that replays itself more often than they lose it (though that is clearly a hypothetical).
Link - ( New Window )
not a fan of small defensemen at all, but if you look at rosters of some of the world juniors teams RD seem like they're becoming more and more rare.
Spurgeon - ( New Window )
And the Bruins love Torey Krug (though he's very one dimensional), I'm just saying my personal preference is for bigger, longer reach, defensemen.
You know he's dying to stick Glass back in the lineup.
Kovalchuk would likely prefer to stay in NYC or wind up in Florida. Wife and 4 kids are a major factor. It will be sign-and-trade, though.
mid-round draft pick is my guess. 4th/5th.
Not much. Now how much money will he get and for how long is a better question.
He's a few years younger than Kovy, but still probably around what Kovy gets.
Skjei----Shattenkirk/Girardi (either Girardi or Staal goes but probably wishful thinking to have both go)
Berezglazov/Graves----Pionk
Kampfer
Adios Klein, Holden and one of Girardi/Staal
Crosscheck.
Urinary Bitch Infection?
Oh, Upper Body Injury. Yeah, he hurt his tits
Video of the Ovechkin whacks here.
Ovechkin has been getting away with dirty playoff play for a decade now. Never been punished for it. I wish i had a dime for all the flying elbows he was throwing in our series' with them 2 and 4 years ago.
But this time he went after the golden child. Maybe the league will finally take notice.
I'm guessing Caps fans at this point will take it any way they can get it though, no matter how tainted.
Video of the Ovechkin whacks here.
This. I think the hit by Ovie knocked him loopy to begin with. I hate the yinzers and especially crybaby Sid but this is horseshit. Reminiscent of the Hunter hit, if not as egregious. Fuck the caps. Niskanen deserved maybe a double minor at worst but Ovechkin slashed him in the head.
Damn that is rough
I don't know how much I even care about punching an ECF ticket at this point. Seems like it's just an invitation to get our asses kicked.
Damn that is rough
It's only a choke if you end up losing the game. A win and they are back in the series with Murray letang Crosby and hornqvist all out Wednesday. Lucky break. They just have to score next against a depleted team.
Nice redemption
Gonna be a streetfight going forward.
Including to number 8 who's been getting away with this shit for years
Including to number 8 who's been getting away with this shit for years
Niskanen will not face hearing for hit on Crosby - ( New Window )
Crosby was falling when Niskanen hit him, penalty sure because he has a responsibility to control his body and a hit to the head is a hit to the head, misconduct? not in my view.
Injuries are unfortunate, but you don't always need someone to blame or punish for them.
Crosby was falling when Niskanen hit him, penalty sure because he has a responsibility to control his body and a hit to the head is a hit to the head, misconduct? not in my view.
Injuries are unfortunate, but you don't always need someone to blame or punish for them.
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even deserved the gate.
Crosby was falling when Niskanen hit him, penalty sure because he has a responsibility to control his body and a hit to the head is a hit to the head, misconduct? not in my view.
Injuries are unfortunate, but you don't always need someone to blame or punish for them.
This. I can't stand either team, but I think Niskanen was the least "culpable" person in this. Ovechkin - who I also agree won't be suspended - was the reckless one swinging his stick at head level (and connecting) with no regard for player safety, regardless of it being Crosby or anyone else.
I think it was Ovechkin's skate hitting Crosby's skate that really caused the problem as opposed to the slash (which should have been a penalty, I agree). Even as a Caps fan I hope Crosby can play in game 4.
Penguins' Sidney Crosby out for Game 4 with concussion - ( New Window )