I think we learned in game 1 that there is not as much of a gap between the Rangers and Hurricanes as many people may have thought...until the third period. Still, for 40 minutes, the Rangers were the better team and I expect them to come out more aggressively and generate some more offense tonight. Really hope Panarin is able to figure things out quickly or at least make a play or two to jumpstart the second line who has been pretty much invisible for much of these first 8 playoff games. I wouldn't be surprised if in the second period or so if they aren't on the scoreboard yet, to see Gallant move Motte up into the top 6, as he has clearly been one of their best forwards (aside from the kid line). Let's get this back to NY all knotted up.
That being said, Rangers need to win tonight.
First Rangers playoff game, been a long time coming.
Just hope they can pull through.
#lgr
First Rangers playoff game, been a long time coming.
Just hope they can pull through.
Depending on how the series goes, I'd love to catch a game down there. Would you be interested in helping me out secure some tickets since you're local? If not, no worries I'll try another way.
In the playoffs, the center ice position takes on even more importance than in the regular season. I can't see the Rangers ever succeeding in the playoffs with Zibe and Strom as C1 and C2. Regular season- fine, Stanley Cup- nope! They need an Alpha dog (like a Messier) to galvanize the rest of the roster for a deep playoff run.
As I mentioned in the Pitt series...As a fan, I look at this as gravy time for a team ahead of schedule. This is valuable learning experience and they will improve. If they can win tonight, which I consider a tall order, they could eke out this series. Psychologically, that last loss has GOT to be in their heads. It wasn't stolen like game 1. They lost it. It will be hard to overcome.
I really don't think rangers changed anything or lowered their aggressiveness. They played a pretty "safe"/grinding style most of the game. Carolina upped the intensity of the forecheck and the pinch by their D-men. It was shocking they didn't do it earlier...we've seen that as a surefire recipe to get the rangers hemmed in for protracted stretches of play.
It doesn't make it "okay"...it snowballs on them when they fail to clear the zone with possession repeatedly to the extent that they are either icing the puck or gasping for a line change for big blocks of minutes.
NYR's goaltending and counter-punch style of even-strength offense has played into this.
But keep in mind -- They didn't give up a ton of prime chances when the ice felt tilted against them. Their actual downfall was a transition play with some lazy forward backchecking.
Fluky overtime play ends it. The shame is that they didn't bury one or two more of the great looks they had in the first two periods.
(Don't mistake this post for confidence -- I'm actually quite worried. I think we saw the worst two periods that we'll get out of the Carolina skaters...which is what makes that one sting especially)
Point being - it won't be easy on away ice with the canes having last change.
Point being - it won't be easy on away ice with the canes having last change.
Aho had one good play all game (unfortunate that he scored on it). Svechnikov was invisible outside a play or two.
Everyone's stars struggled.
If we can just get a decent Panarin, we can win this series.
ME too Rangers just came off a tough series with multiple overtimes and 2 days rest. Hurricanes has a week off. Rangers ran out of gas, you could see it.. Carolina was rusty in the beginning and caught their game - Rangers need to keep playing their game hopefully with be able to match energy this time.
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go back 1-1 I like their chances.
ME too Rangers just came off a tough series with multiple overtimes and 2 days rest. Hurricanes has a week off. Rangers ran out of gas, you could see it.. Carolina was rusty in the beginning and caught their game - Rangers need to keep playing their game hopefully with be able to match energy this time.
A week off?
Carolina won game 7 last Saturday and the Rangers won Game 7 the next day. Carolina had ONE extra day (3 off days) than the Rangers (2 off days). Not saying it didnt make a difference at all. But its much different than a team resting for 7 days vs. 2.
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In comment 15714225 Victor in CT said:
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go back 1-1 I like their chances.
ME too Rangers just came off a tough series with multiple overtimes and 2 days rest. Hurricanes has a week off. Rangers ran out of gas, you could see it.. Carolina was rusty in the beginning and caught their game - Rangers need to keep playing their game hopefully with be able to match energy this time.
A week off?
Carolina won game 7 last Saturday and the Rangers won Game 7 the next day. Carolina had ONE extra day (3 off days) than the Rangers (2 off days). Not saying it didnt make a difference at all. But its much different than a team resting for 7 days vs. 2.
It was COL that had the week off....they will make the finals
Our current match will be interesting. I watched CAR move the puck at times against the bruins that often looked like they were on a PP, but was 5 on 5. I haven't followed any bruins hockey, but CAR looked really good in the couple games I watched. It'll be a tougher match than the Pens for sure.
Rangers overall need to get better on the draws if they want to win this series.
Rangers overall need to get better on the draws if they want to win this series.
To the non-hockey fan watching (I'm an admitted Rangers postseason bandwagoner), this 'Kid Line' seems like the quickest, smoothest players on the ice last game and this game... Are they just playing against a weaker Carolina lineup or something? The rest of the Rangers seem slow and kinda boring..
Him and breadman both need to wake up
Can we just upgrade them two lines and see if it sends a message to the team? Not sure what to do at this point with those top two lines...
They need to get their heads out of their butts.
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Looks like none to me.