NFT: Islanders @ NEW YORK RANGERS: Games 1 and 2

Why wouldn't he be on the first?

I'm a Rangers fan but not great on the nuts and bolts.

and Zibanejad make their linemates better. Better to improve 4 players than just 1.

In comment 15121951 Del Shofner said:

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Why wouldn't he be on the first? I'm a Rangers fan but not great on the nuts and bolts.

Wouldn't look too much into it. For all intents and purposes, we have two first lines and a very young but talented third line. The KZB line is a mainstay and Zibanejad is our #1 C.

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Islanders!

In comment 15121951 Del Shofner said:

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Why wouldn't he be on the first? I'm a Rangers fan but not great on the nuts and bolts.

The first two lines play pretty equivalent time at even strength so I wouldn't say he's really on the "second line"....kind of line 1b.

Also he averages around 20 minutes on ice a game when you factor in PP time which is right around where most of the elite level players are.

but I haven't been this excited about a Ranger team in a long time!!

In comment 15121958 Ron Johnson said:

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and Zibanejad make their linemates better. Better to improve 4 players than just 1.

Not to mention if Kreider and Panarin swapped spots teams would just use their shut down D pair against that top line which neutralizes a bit. Same reason Pittsburgh splits up Malkin and Crosby at even strength.

practice report from the NYI that JGP was centering a line with Wahlstrom and Bellows.

Does anyone know if that line is going to be a thing?

that would be a really fun line.

Not a typical 3rd line by any stretch, but a lot of fun.

Not sure if that was before or after Barzal signed and if Wahlstrom or Bellows even made the team/taxi squad or AHL.

In comment 15121967 Mike in NY said:

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In comment 15121958 Ron Johnson said: Quote: and Zibanejad make their linemates better. Better to improve 4 players than just 1. Not to mention if Kreider and Panarin swapped spots teams would just use their shut down D pair against that top line which neutralizes a bit. Same reason Pittsburgh splits up Malkin and Crosby at even strength.

Malkin and Crosby are both centers. but I agree with your point.

With Trotz and Lamariello overseeing matters I sense we will always be near the top....concerned about losing Boychuk and Barraso but we have some top flight young guys coming up in Dobson,Wohlstrom and Bellows

In comment 15122013 pjcas18 said:

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practice report from the NYI that JGP was centering a line with Wahlstrom and Bellows. Does anyone know if that line is going to be a thing? that would be a really fun line. Not a typical 3rd line by any stretch, but a lot of fun. Not sure if that was before or after Barzal signed and if Wahlstrom or Bellows even made the team/taxi squad or AHL.

That was in one of the scrimmages. Beats are reporting JGP with Bellows and Ross the boss. Wahlstrom did make the roster.

I cannot fucking wait.

To my Islander buds - how do you guys see the goalie situation playing out - I read Sorokin and Shesterkin are good friends from home and this is going to be a fun rivalry.

Your playoff run was impressive last September (still seems odd to say for hockey) and you are pretty much returning the same squad.

Obviously for the Rangers - we need to see how the kids develop. Excited for K'Andre teaming with Trouba. I hope Kakko develops and of course Lafrenière.

I had a rough week with some family issues so looking forward to tonight!

Thanks!

In comment 15122097 Drewcon40 said:

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To my Islander buds - how do you guys see the goalie situation playing out - I read Sorokin and Shesterkin are good friends from home and this is going to be a fun rivalry. Your playoff run was impressive last September (still seems odd to say for hockey) and you are pretty much returning the same squad.

The bubble playoff run was a fun ride and they played great, but that's likely the high water mark for this group.
The shutdown really benefitted the Islanders. They got healthy. An older roster with a style that leads to injuries. The 4th line, Brassard, boychuk, all looked like different players after the shutdown gave them their legs back. They were deep too.
Now they have less depth and a condensed schedule. I'm seeing a low seed playoff team unless one of the kids makes a jump. Would not be surprised if they start shipping out the 30 somethings up front.

is awful and it will show.

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watching hockey, the Canucks have a rookie named Nils Hoglander.

this guy is about as fun to watch as anyone I've seen in a long time. He was the guy who did the lacrosse style goal in a pro game (SHL) twice - before Svechnikov did it in the NHL.

just a super creative, smart, player.

Have a feeling NHL.tv will be blacked out since it is being broadcast on NHL network

In comment 15122180 pjcas18 said:

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watching hockey, the Canucks have a rookie named Nils Hoglander. this guy is about as fun to watch as anyone I've seen in a long time. He was the guy who did the lacrosse style goal in a pro game (SHL) twice - before Svechnikov did it in the NHL. just a super creative, smart, player.

A 'nucks fan buddy of mine texted me about him last week. Lots of high end skill on that squad

Pettersson, Hughes, Boeser, Hoglander, etc.

ooze skill, but man they got pushed around in the playoffs (by Vegas?) whoever it was physically imposed their will on them.

I get to watch the game tonight on NHL channel. I hope Kakko shows major improvement this year.
Let's go Rangers

In comment 15122187 redbeard said:

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Have a feeling NHL.tv will be blacked out since it is being broadcast on NHL network

I plan on using http://bilasport.net/ tonight.

It'll be about 45 seconds or so behind live so be careful who you look at texts from haha

In comment 15122013 pjcas18 said:

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practice report from the NYI that JGP was centering a line with Wahlstrom and Bellows. Does anyone know if that line is going to be a thing? that would be a really fun line. Not a typical 3rd line by any stretch, but a lot of fun. Not sure if that was before or after Barzal signed and if Wahlstrom or Bellows even made the team/taxi squad or AHL.

That has been the fan dream all off season, and both Wahlstrom and Bellows supposedly had string camps. I would bet that is the evntual plan, but doubt you see that early in the season.

Barry likes his vets and I would not be surprised to see JGP with Komarov on one wing. Dal Colle is on IR or he would likely be there too.

I hope I am wrong about that.

In comment 15122285 Mike from Ohio said:

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In comment 15122013 pjcas18 said: Quote: practice report from the NYI that JGP was centering a line with Wahlstrom and Bellows. Does anyone know if that line is going to be a thing? that would be a really fun line. Not a typical 3rd line by any stretch, but a lot of fun. Not sure if that was before or after Barzal signed and if Wahlstrom or Bellows even made the team/taxi squad or AHL. That has been the fan dream all off season, and both Wahlstrom and Bellows supposedly had string camps. I would bet that is the evntual plan, but doubt you see that early in the season. Barry likes his vets and I would not be surprised to see JGP with Komarov on one wing. Dal Colle is on IR or he would likely be there too. I hope I am wrong about that.

Komarov is heading to LTIR as soon as eligible. I think Johnston is rotating between 3rd and 4th lines depending on who is healthy when they want the extra tough guy in the line-up and sitting versus teams that require more skill guys.

is what will make or break them. Chytl needs to prove that he's a good enough center. I was not impressed with Gauthier last season. Yeah, he's big and he's fast, but he wasn't really effective. He's 23 which is about time to show if you belong in the NHL or become a lifelong AHLer.

Excited to see how the youngster do. Kakko, Lafreniere, Miller.

In comment 15122177 Doubledeuce22 said:

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is awful and it will show.

At best, they're unproven. If K'Andre can step up and Trouba redeems himself, we may have a shot. I think we're a fringe playoff team in the East based solely on our forwards, but how far we go in the playoffs (should we make it) will depend on the play of the defense.

I say the Rangers make the playoffs.

their top 3 lines can hang with anyone and their goalie seems like he can steal games.

In comment 15122495 pjcas18 said:

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their top 3 lines can hang with anyone and their goalie seems like he can steal games.

They’ll need to beat out two of BOS, NYI, PIT, PHI and WSH. Sure they have young talent and Panarin but that’s a tall order to ask from such a young team with that d corps IMO.

I would be surprised if Komarov goes to LTIR. He was playing at the end of the playoff and was a participant in camp and made the roser after clearing waivers. Rumor is also that they tried to trade him and Hickey.

They will keep Komarov handy because Cizikas is becoming oft-injured and the pk gets very thin with him out of the lineup.

Speed skill and a stud goalie. I think Kakko takes a big step.

Some of the old guard in the east look ready to fade, especially Pittsburgh

Rangers will be the sexy media pick the next year and the year after

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In comment 15122658 Del Shofner said:

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I would imagine NHL tv will do a free preview for a few days. The game tonight is NHL Network I think as well.

Watching the Rangers come on the ice before the start of the game. It seems to me that the team for the most part is much bigger than any Rangers team I can recall. Anybody think the same thing?

Settle down boys.

This defense is porous

and the Rangers are already down an early field goal

In comment 15122830 mfsd said:

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and the Rangers are already down an early field goal

yeah - they look pretty bad tonight

but certainly not the last that Jack Johnson SUCKS. He makes Marc Staal look like an all-star.

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Jack Johnson is horrendous


Holy hell

The other looks like they haven’t practiced.

...melded with the veteran talent. But this is not an auspicious beginning. Obviously way too soon to make any judgements but a
non-competitive first period is of concern.

That was u-g-l-y.

an opening period as possible. Need to put that behind them and hopefully Quinn can wake the team up at the intermission.

What a surprise.

In comment 15122837 The_Boss said:

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The other looks like they haven’t practiced.

Rangers picked up just where they left off....getting swept.

I think I am with Greg, fuck Quinn.

a goal!