NFT: Buffalo @ NY Rangers 7:30pm NBCSN

Philly giving us multiple break always had more with us winning than us playing great. With our upcoming schedule, this is pretty much a must win. I really do not see how we can compete down the stretch with our stable of centers, and our defense has been incredibly disappointing, yet some how we are in contention.

The worst thing that can happen would be Gorton using a mini winning streak as an excuse to stay the course with AV or, worse, trade away more draft picks for band aids.

In comment 13795795 Greg from LI said:

Quote:

The worst thing that can happen would be Gorton using a mini winning streak as an excuse to stay the course with AV or, worse, trade away more draft picks for band aids.

I can't do it as long as Hank is here and playing well, even if I recognize it's probably for the best.

of a McDonagh trade though and what they could potentially get back with a year and a half left on his contract

right now, you all know once you get in a goalie and deep team means a lot. Look at the Senators last year or even the Predators.

If the Rangers sell they risk losing out on Hanks remaining few years of eliteness while their young talent develops, it's a legit rock vs hard place.

Hank turns 36 this year and older goalies have won cups (Hasek, Thomas to name a couple) it's risky to wait IMO.

I'll leave this link here.
Link - ( New Window )

Finally on a hot streak.

I'm not too worried about Gorton trading a one or legit prospects - he hasn't shown that reckless behavior as GM and the Stepan trade was the opposite of short-sighted. And just a few days ago it was reported they were leaning to being sellers at the deadline. They know this team doesn't have a good enough shot to be buyers.

Now if we stay in wild card or 2nd/3rd Metro place for the next 5 weeks ... I won't cry about standing pat. If we suck definitely trade Nash and Grabner (and maybe someone will give us a third rounder for Holden)

Buchnevich with the primary helper on the Nash goal

Has no confidence with the puck it seems

is heating up. If they can get a few W's on the road, this team can both go out in the 1st round as well as make a deep Cup run.

We've seen great goaltending carry teams in the postseason, and Hank has been excellent lately.

of course they give up a goal to the guy who hasn't scored in over 100 games.

*

streaking too.

3-2 Blueshirts!

of his season total in two games... crazy ... hope this is a prolonged streak cuz the Rangers sure could use the help

I'm starting to hate this group

the Buch!!!

Quick, put him back on the fourth line now AV!

On the year for Buch

.

Jeez

... they needed this win

Are a lot of fun to watch. They used to be more frequent in his prime but he's still a beast when he gets on a roll.

Another terrific performance from Lundqvist - of course we didn't look particularly good in front of him against the worst team in the East, but we're without two top 6 forwards so is what it is. Two points.

You watch Buch yet again play like this and you just wonder how AV still has a job and can still look himself in the mirror?

In comment 13796101 MetsAreBack said:

Quote:

Are a lot of fun to watch. They used to be more frequent in his prime but he's still a beast when he gets on a roll. Another terrific performance from Lundqvist - of course we didn't look particularly good in front of him against the worst team in the East, but we're without two top 6 forwards so is what it is. Two points. You watch Buch yet again play like this and you just wonder how AV still has a job and can still look himself in the mirror?

Because AV is an arrogant asshole who thinks his shit doesn't stink.

once he's back on a scoring line just reinforces that AV has to go.

Nice win, needed it

He was generating too many chances to not start scoring again. I like that he's using his shot more on the breaks instead of trying to deke. He has such a good release

I'm afraid another mediocre year secures AV for at least another season.

but we'll find out a lot the next week on a very tough West coast road trip. Apparently Colorado has won 8 straight -- they sit at 25-16-3 and 17-7-1 at home... my guess is that makes them easily the most improved NHL team year-over-year... despite getting screwed in the draft last spring.

Would be great if Hayes' "bruise" would get better - two weeks now....

but I'd rather take my shot in what is a pretty mediocre lot of teams this year than blow things up with Hank's career winding down.

Guy has been playing stellar and at least we have the excitement of playoff hockey to look forward to if they just maintain.

Sucks that it might mean AV sticks around, but when the team is playing on all cylinders, they are good. Look at the way they pass the puck. Of course, we can say look at the way defenders give up the puck so easily, but still..

since they moved on from Julien (sorry PJ)... but they were also willing to sacrifice two years to reload a bit and unload/unwind some of the bad contracts.

So its tough - i want Hank to win so bad.. but this team probably does need a re-set. And even if we get there, genius coach would fuck it up - like playing Girardi on the top pair against Ottawa only to CUT the guy shortly thereafter, play MSL on the top PP unit and 2nd line against Washington/Tampa ... only for the guy to be unable to find employment in the league that offseason.... Richards buy-out shortly after giving him major minutes against LA... Glass over Buchnevich in the Ottawa series.... etc etc.

Key injuries have been brutal too -- I dont have a read if Kreider would be able to get back for the stretch run and postseason. If he can't, i dont care how well Hank is playing, this is not a tough playoff out.

I guess see how the West coast and February schedule goes. Grabner and Nash should be able to return 2 if not 3 (late) number 1s.

that Julien, AV, Therrien and a handful of other coaches stifle their teams.

They're not bad coaches. Julien has a cup (and been to another SCF), AV has been to two SCF, Therrien has been to conference finals, but they stifle offensive creativity and do not (IMO) get the most from their players b/c of how they stress defense first with their systems.

Look at Marchand since Julien left. He turned from Brendan Gallagher to Dino Ciccarelli over night.

I think the Rangers should be buyers though not sellers (unless they have a complete collapse and fall out of contention).

I think if they can get a top 4 D and a top 6 forward at the deadline they'll be cup favorites. I'm not saying it b/c I'm a Habs fan, but Pacioretty and Alzner (or other D) would be perfect. Even someone like Evander Kane and Marco Scandella would be enough.

Weather the storm while Kreider is out (I think Hayes is replaceable on roster) and make the acquisition above and they'll be the team no one wants to play in the playoffs.

need to keep Hank fresh too.

That's not going to change with the team in contention.

Coulda fooled me. Maybe he has a different definition of the word "defense" than the rest of us?

In comment 13796448 Greg from LI said:

Quote:

Coulda fooled me. Maybe he has a different definition of the word "defense" than the rest of us?

He does. Doesn't mean they always get results.

It's probably why Buchnevich gets yanked around so much. Coaches like him dick around with players like Buchnevich and Galchenyuk, etc. sometimes because they feel they don't grasp the defensive zone responsibilities completely as well as transition and they fear giving up a goal more than they value scoring one.

Quote:

“You have no choice,” agreed Dreger. “It’s a pipe dream, I agree with you. I’m still in the camp that believes that John Tavares and the New York Islanders are going to find that middle ground and he’ll stay and finish his career quite possibly with the New York Islanders. But in Tavares you have to be all-in if you’re the Montreal Canadiens. You’re so desperate up the middle of the ice.

Fan Rag Sports - ( New Window )

AV just sucks.

tied up with Weber and Price, but they'll have room for Tavares.

But with the arena I now believe he's not going anywhere.

Plus the Islanders without Tavares are probably still better than MTL though their goalie and D need work.

I don't know what makes sense for Tavares. TOR probably won't have space with the young guys needing contracts and they need an elite defender more anyway. The Devils or Flyers make more sense.

I think it's hard to stay when they've only won a single playoff round since Tavares has been there - it's a total disaster given how good he is.

Buch is better in his defensive zone than Vesey, who AV likes.
BrettNYG10
AV just sucks.

In comment 13796549 BrettNYG10 said:

Quote:

I don't know what makes sense for Tavares. TOR probably won't have space with the young guys needing contracts and they need an elite defender more anyway. The Devils or Flyers make more sense. I think it's hard to stay when they've only won a single playoff round since Tavares has been there - it's a total disaster given how good he is.

What do you mean by not an attractive destination? Because they don't have a good core? Geographically? Financially due to fx?

So many players grow up dreaming of playing in MTL you are mistaken if you think it's not an attractive destination.

Ask Subban. He's still wondering why he's not playing there. Drouin says it's a dream come true. Though his play sure isn't acting like it.

And while he's not playing that way right now, they still have the best goalie on the planet, or if you say his game has slipped a little, he's at worst a top 5 goalie.

There are 5 playoff spots coming out of the Metro unless a team in the Atlantic gets super hot down the stretch.

5 points separates the first wild card and dead last in the Metro, which is crazy to me as we approach the ASB. That last place team (Carolina) also has games in hand on mostly everyone else in the division.

In the Central, Chicago is in last place, yet only 10 points out of first place.

The WC in the west is even crazier than the East, with legitimately only 1 team seemingly out of it.

I don't remember the league ever being this close leaguewide this late in the season, and although I think the NHL will see this as a good thing, I can't help but disagree. They need to change the OT rules with regard to points (Should be soccer style - 3 points for a win, OT loss is 1 point)

Funny enough, here's the standings with the old playoff format:

1. TBL
2. WSH
3. BOS
4. NJ
5. CBJ
6. TOR
7. NYR
8. PIT

Which would result in the same exact playoff matchups we have now. I know there are complaints about the system every year and I agree with those, but I found this interesting.

the most overrated player in hockey?

?

In comment 13796579 pjcas18 said:

Quote:

In comment 13796549 BrettNYG10 said: Quote: I don't know what makes sense for Tavares. TOR probably won't have space with the young guys needing contracts and they need an elite defender more anyway. The Devils or Flyers make more sense. I think it's hard to stay when they've only won a single playoff round since Tavares has been there - it's a total disaster given how good he is. What do you mean by not an attractive destination? Because they don't have a good core? Geographically? Financially due to fx? So many players grow up dreaming of playing in MTL you are mistaken if you think it's not an attractive destination. Ask Subban. He's still wondering why he's not playing there. Drouin says it's a dream come true. Though his play sure isn't acting like it. And while he's not playing that way right now, they still have the best goalie on the planet, or if you say his game has slipped a little, he's at worst a top 5 goalie.

For winning. Price has injury concerns and is 30. Weber is 32 and declining. I don't think he's leaving NYI to go to a place where making the playoffs will still be a struggle.

In comment 13796611 Kyle in NY said:

Quote:

the most overrated player in hockey?

Corey Perry.

but when good players don't play as well as they're expected to they deserve comments like this.

I'll take Carey over just about any goalie in the league.

You seem to know a little about hockey I'm surprised you take shots at a goalie with minor league defense in front of him. When your top pair is Jeff Petry and Karl Alzner you can only do so much.

he'd go a long way to turning a team around on his own.

I don't see him as the type to want to be a passenger, he seems more than willing to be a guy who wants to be "the man" and make his team better as opposed to going somewhere he can go along for the ride and cruise to the playoffs.

Granted Toronto might be more his dream than MTL, winning in MTL is not like winning anywhere else. You are deified, though they haven't won in so long maybe people forget.

Canadian players born now don't have the same fascination with the Canadiens as those players born in the 70's so it's probably losing some allure.

Your comment seems a little like saying Gretzky wouldn't go to the Kings since he's got a clear path to the playoffs in Edmonton. Obviously different circumstances, but I'd think Tavares would feel the same, and the Islanders to this point haven't given him the one thing he needs. a goalie.

But there is maybe a tiny bit of truth to it. At his best, Price is the best in the league, a remarkable talent. But the truth is, he's been healthy and a top 5 goalie in maybe 4-5 seasons out of his 11 in the league. That contract starting next season would really worry me.

I do think your defense stinks, no arguments there. Seems like Weber has bounced back a bit though, by the numbers at least. But he's injured too now.

Gretzky already won with the Oilers, though. I think priorities shift once you have Cups. Tavares is going to get paid, but maybe he chooses not to take a max somewhere and can take a wild card team and elevate them to a contender.

Outside of Barzal and Eberle this year (and Vanek for part of a season), they've never given Tavares real first-line talent to play with. Maybe Okposo, but he hasn't done great away from Tavares - I was never a fan. They've totally failed him in every facet.

is to put it mildly.

Losing Weber is the coup de grace, but they were bad before he was lost, though he was fantastic.

this past off-season the Canadiens lost Markov for no reason, Emelin, Bealieu (still not sure why), and traded Sergachev.

Only real add they made was Alzner who should be a 3rd pair/7th D. I'm not really exaggerating when I say I think I'd be better offensively than him. He has an awful shot, isn't a good skater, and isn't a good passer. He's sort of the epitome of a stay at home defenseman, but a mediocre one.

I do like Mete, but he's small. Good skater, good instincts, good vision, but he's 19 years old and small.

I do think the Canadiens blow it up this year.

I believe they'll trade Pacioretty who if you say Price is overrated, Patches might be the most underrated player in the league. He's the type of addition I think can turn a stagnant team into a favorite.

Look at the Stars or Blues to try and get him.

I think he'd be perfect for the Rangers, but he'd cost Chytil and I can see them being reluctant to trade him.

I also think Plekanec, Andrew Shaw, and possibly Galchenyuk could all move before the deadline (if Shaw gets healthy).

Hopefully the Canadiens are rewarded for their awfulness and get Dahlin in June or at worst Zadina.

makes sense to me. The Islanders stink right now (unless they're playing the Rangers) with Tavares. So what is the path forward to improving once they give Tavares $10MM a year? It becomes harder to rebuild the defense and goaltending at that point.

If he won't commit to an extension by the trade deadline, I think they need to move him. Can't risk losing him for nothing. Rebuild around Barzal, who might even end up being better.

for the NYR and Hayes skating at practice.

FYI...