Let's get this party started early. Rangers didn't do themselves any favors against Pittsburgh the other night, I expect they'll come out and play a much better game tonight. Devils didn't fare too well against Pittsburgh last night either, blowing a 3-1 lead going into the 3rd period by giving up 5 unanswered to lose 6-3. Penguins aren't dead yet, but with that loss last night, I think the Devils' chances are shot.
Looks like Rempe will be back in the lineup and Cuylle will come out again. I figured Laviolette would keep Rempe out of this one to avoid the sideshow that is inevitable with MacDermid, or maybe he feels like they need a shot in the arm after a rough outing against Pittsburgh and a less than stellar performance in Arizona. Cuylle seems like an odd choice to come out. As others alluded to in the last game thread, Vesey has had a difficult go of it lately, maybe he should get a game or two in the press box.
Rempe vs MacDermid will most likely happen at some point.
Of course. Two years ago the Rangers went to the ECF and were up 2-0 in the ECF with a worse bottom 6 and a worse top 6, and worse D group overall, you fans are drama queens. And all the competition (in the East at least) this year is worse than 2 years ago. No Bergeron, Krejci, etc. in BOS, TBL is FAR weaker, the NYR are the best team in the league and fans are already lining up Trouba to blame if they don't win a cup. Get some balls and stop having a loser mentality (not you Lowell - just in general).
I'm 100% sure Messier Leetch and Richter will be the only ones I'll see do it in my lifetime
I think the better question is can you win a cup with Kreider as a top LW.
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with Roslovic in the top six, with Lindgren as top pair and Trouba rather than Schneider with Miller?
Of course. Two years ago the Rangers went to the ECF and were up 2-0 in the ECF with a worse bottom 6 and a worse top 6, and worse D group overall, you fans are drama queens. And all the competition (in the East at least) this year is worse than 2 years ago. No Bergeron, Krejci, etc. in BOS, TBL is FAR weaker, the NYR are the best team in the league and fans are already lining up Trouba to blame if they don't win a cup. Get some balls and stop having a loser mentality (not you Lowell - just in general).
Playoffs are a different matter. Bruins had a record season and lost in the first round to the Panthers. Is it a coincidence that Fox played his best hockey this year with Gus when Lindgren was hurt?
Too small Lindgren cannot clean the crease and win board battles against power forwards. He also has only 10 goals in four years and very few primary assists.
Trouba kills them with his turnovers, sometimes two on a single shift. He takes a million shots from the blue line and most of them miss the net or get blocked. When he gets one on goal, there's usually no Ranger in the crease.
Roslovic is a journeyman ond cannot remotely measure up to the value Getzlaf adds when and if the teams meet in the playoffs.
PJ: I value your posts as you have a great deal of knowledge and I often learn from them. However, it seems to me that you place your own opinions above others and lack tolerance for what others think. Perhaps being a student as well as a teacher might be beneficial.
The SC is a hard trophy to win, some say the hardest trophy to win in sports, but it seems like fans are unwilling to allow the Rangers are favorites and should win the cup. Doesn't mean the team is not flawless nor does it mean they will win the cup. but it's ok to acknowledge they should even though it sets you up for letdowns.
As for your points, do you think two years ago the Rangers beat the Penguins without Trouba? Do you think they beat CAR without Trouba? Fan perception is what it is, but when you look at d-zone turnovers he does lead the team, but he is not much different than Gus or Schneider in more minutes played:
Plus Trouba is among the league leaders in blocked shots and by far the D leader in hits on the team. These are things that make a difference - especially in the playoffs.
BOS had a good team last year, so I am not excuse making, and no one expected them to lose in the 1st round, but they had a lot just working against them, first they were an older team having played a full season, second they relied heavily on goaltending, and third and most importantly they drew an upstart 8 seed Panthers who probably should have been a 2/3 seed.
Anyway, most of what you cited are not(IMO) cup contender disqualifying. there isn't a perfect team in the league. the Rangers problems relatively speaking are less than almost every one of them.
Here's where I stand. The Rangers are not a perfect team. The top line has not produced as much as we'd like them to, the defensemen are prone to making mistakes. That said, show me a team that is as deep at the blue line as the Rangers. Show me another team that has a Vezina winning goalie, Norris winning defenseman, and Hart finalist. None of this means that the Rangers will win the Cup, but there is no reason to go into the playoffs believing they can't. I've said it before, I've never seen a team that is in first place in their league that receives the level of scrutiny this team does. Just enjoy the freaking ride! I know 30 years without winning a Cup has taken its toll on all of us, but this is the best team the Rangers have had since '94 and I really think it's possible they get it done this year.
Here's where I stand. The Rangers are not a perfect team. The top line has not produced as much as we'd like them to, the defensemen are prone to making mistakes. That said, show me a team that is as deep at the blue line as the Rangers. Show me another team that has a Vezina winning goalie, Norris winning defenseman, and Hart finalist. None of this means that the Rangers will win the Cup, but there is no reason to go into the playoffs believing they can't. I've said it before, I've never seen a team that is in first place in their league that receives the level of scrutiny this team does. Just enjoy the freaking ride! I know 30 years without winning a Cup has taken its toll on all of us, but this is the best team the Rangers have had since '94 and I really think it's possible they get it done this year.
this is what I was saying - good post. Didn't mean to seem "teacher", I love hearding everyone's opinions and discussing/debating them. While I am confident in my opinions I never mean to dismiss others in our disagreements/discussions.
It’s real!!!
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with Roslovic in the top six, with Lindgren as top pair and Trouba rather than Schneider with Miller?
I think the better question is can you win a cup with Kreider as a top LW.
35 goals doesn't qualify as a top LW?
Here's where I stand. The Rangers are not a perfect team. The top line has not produced as much as we'd like them to, the defensemen are prone to making mistakes. That said, show me a team that is as deep at the blue line as the Rangers. Show me another team that has a Vezina winning goalie, Norris winning defenseman, and Hart finalist. None of this means that the Rangers will win the Cup, but there is no reason to go into the playoffs believing they can't. I've said it before, I've never seen a team that is in first place in their league that receives the level of scrutiny this team does. Just enjoy the freaking ride! I know 30 years without winning a Cup has taken its toll on all of us, but this is the best team the Rangers have had since '94 and I really think it's possible they get it done this year.
Because I've tried everything.
Thinking they were going to win - nope
Reverse psychology - nope
Knowing they weren't going to win - nope
Taken it's toll? Yeah that's for sure.
Also, I've heard that "best teams since 94" line a couple of times.
Their closest call was a year I didn't really think they'd do anything but played a much better LA kings team.
Gus adds offense to the lineup that Lindgren doesn't.
You know that McDonagh was playing on a broken foot, right?
Everyone is entitled to be a fan in their own way, but it's been rather shocking this season how quickly folks in the threads give in to the negative.
This is a good team. I'm going to enjoy the ride. They absolutely can win this year. It doesn't mean they will, but I'd really have to contort myself to list reasons why it isn't a realistic possibility.
They've shown that they have the ability to get the better of just about any team in the league when they are on their game. Now they just need to do it at the right time.
Still some wood to chop on locking up division and home ice.
Side note - the battle for Metro 3rd place and the WCs has grown compelling. Every game these teams are playing night in and night out is enormous.
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I hate every Rangers player on that ice that game 7 vs Tampa Bay in 2015 except for Lundqvist, with a burning passion. What a pussy performance.
You know that McDonagh was playing on a broken foot, right?
Looked like he was playing on a broken foot in 2014 against the Kings, too. Oh yeah forgot about that. Good point. Still fuck that game.
One foot McDonough can get a pass, where was Nash and everyone else? My big gripe here is they didn't score any goals that night.
Everyone is entitled to be a fan in their own way, but it's been rather shocking this season how quickly folks in the threads give in to the negative.
This is a good team. I'm going to enjoy the ride. They absolutely can win this year. It doesn't mean they will, but I'd really have to contort myself to list reasons why it isn't a realistic possibility.
They've shown that they have the ability to get the better of just about any team in the league when they are on their game. Now they just need to do it at the right time.
Still some wood to chop on locking up division and home ice.
Side note - the battle for Metro 3rd place and the WCs has grown compelling. Every game these teams are playing night in and night out is enormous.
I mean. We've seen plenty of close calls in the last 10 years. Cool?
How about the big one?
They've won 6-5 games and 1-0 games, they've won games when they have not been at their best, they are near the top of the league in comeback wins, they have top 5 PP and PK, near the top of the league in goal differential...But nope, no chance of winning the Cup!
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It's crazy to me to see that there are fans who literally have zero faith that this team can actually get it done. Winning the Cup is nearly impossible, but when this fan base discusses the team's flaws, many of us forget that every team is flawed. If the Rangers have no chance, who does? Florida, who is 2-7-1 in their last 10 games and got lit up by Montreal last night? Boston who the Rangers swept this year? Carolina, who habitually comes up small in the playoffs, and can't win road games? Toronto with their goaltending? Tampa who is a shell of what they were 2/3 years ago?
Here's where I stand. The Rangers are not a perfect team. The top line has not produced as much as we'd like them to, the defensemen are prone to making mistakes. That said, show me a team that is as deep at the blue line as the Rangers. Show me another team that has a Vezina winning goalie, Norris winning defenseman, and Hart finalist. None of this means that the Rangers will win the Cup, but there is no reason to go into the playoffs believing they can't. I've said it before, I've never seen a team that is in first place in their league that receives the level of scrutiny this team does. Just enjoy the freaking ride! I know 30 years without winning a Cup has taken its toll on all of us, but this is the best team the Rangers have had since '94 and I really think it's possible they get it done this year.
Because I've tried everything.
Thinking they were going to win - nope
Reverse psychology - nope
Knowing they weren't going to win - nope
Taken it's toll? Yeah that's for sure.
Also, I've heard that "best teams since 94" line a couple of times.
Their closest call was a year I didn't really think they'd do anything but played a much better LA kings team.
It's more than that for me...I was 32 when they finally won in 1994. We endured everything from the Broad Street Bullies, to John Fucking Druce, to losing series after series we were favored in over the years.
PTSD? Yeah...it's real wrt being a Rangers fan.
That said, this team does seem different. They have more physicality than any team in awhile, seemingly built to play in the playoffs. Carolina and Tampa are the only two teams in the east who worry me. All others should be beatable. This team could win it all, but due to ~50 years of frustration, I just can't seem to say "it's real, they are contenders".
They've won 6-5 games and 1-0 games, they've won games when they have not been at their best, they are near the top of the league in comeback wins, they have top 5 PP and PK, near the top of the league in goal differential...But nope, no chance of winning the Cup!
I know they have a chance but lol
It's the Rangers lol and who gives a fart about the regular season? The NHL playoffs is the real shit. I've been the one saying losses to Pittsburgh and whoever will not matter.
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these threads have gone soft.
Everyone is entitled to be a fan in their own way, but it's been rather shocking this season how quickly folks in the threads give in to the negative.
This is a good team. I'm going to enjoy the ride. They absolutely can win this year. It doesn't mean they will, but I'd really have to contort myself to list reasons why it isn't a realistic possibility.
They've shown that they have the ability to get the better of just about any team in the league when they are on their game. Now they just need to do it at the right time.
Still some wood to chop on locking up division and home ice.
Side note - the battle for Metro 3rd place and the WCs has grown compelling. Every game these teams are playing night in and night out is enormous.
I mean. We've seen plenty of close calls in the last 10 years. Cool?
How about the big one?
You seem determined to be miserable about the lack of a cup until it happens.
I share the frustration, but I'm personally not inclined to let that ruin the present.
When they do finally get there, I'd like the satisfaction of having enjoyed the experience rather than be left with the feeling that I should have enjoyed the ride more as I step off the coaster car.
What do I tie myself in knots over in my various sports fandoms if I'm not going to have some fun on the occasions that my team is truly in play for the big one?
But, to each their own. You surely aren't "wrong".
Maybe you should focus some of your hatred on the coach who dressed the most ridiculous lineup imaginable for that game.
Why wouldn't we be miserable with this team lol
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I hate every Rangers player on that ice that game 7 vs Tampa Bay in 2015 except for Lundqvist, with a burning passion. What a pussy performance.
Maybe you should focus some of your hatred on the coach who dressed the most ridiculous lineup imaginable for that game.
Yeah he sucks too
After the 2015 loss to TB, I just stopped taking them seriously. I knew their feet would collapse under them during the 22 run. The women in my life have gotten way too much (because they're were way too many!) so I just let them all cancel each other out and settled with the Rangers. They were a nice pickup after I realized the Giants were going to have a garbage season, which was ... Right away.
Oh yeah, we all get it. It's not that big of a deal and it's only a game. Don't kill your neighbors after the Giants lose to the Eagles!
Note: this was the first season that I had MSG since 21 because I have the app and people I work with help me pay it.
Regarding the "best team since '94" concept that I brought to this thread, many of you have pointed out we've heard that before. I think many thought last year this was the case. Last year though, I'd say that was the best ROSTER, not necessarily the best team. Coach is also part of the team, and everything I have heard since last year is that Gallant was basically going through the motions and completely disconnected from the team. I'm much more confident in this coaching staff to be able to adapt in series. There's something wrong when you lose 2 consecutive playoff series' in back to back years after being up 2-0.
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In comment 16454595 Lowell said:
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with Roslovic in the top six, with Lindgren as top pair and Trouba rather than Schneider with Miller?
I think the better question is can you win a cup with Kreider as a top LW.
35 goals doesn't qualify as a top LW?
His 5 on 5 play and his lack of defense for a guy his size is a bit disappointing imo. I know he has goals, but is that the only metric we look at for top players now?
It’s real!!!
You undersold it. It's one cup in 84 years. Their previous Cup predates Pearl Harbor by a year and a half.
I think this team has the best chance of any of the recent Rangers teams, but you also never know with this franchise.
Up two goals, twice, in the first two games of the SCF, and lose both in OT.
Up 3-1 on home ice in the first round of the playoffs, and then Mats Zuccarello gets drilled in the head with a slapshot.
Or you're 20 minutes away from a 3-0 series lead in the ECF, and next thing you know your season is over without having a 3rd period lead again.
Could the Rangers win the Cup this year? Sure they could.
Do I think they will? No, because why the hell would I? I hope I'm wrong, but the East is wide open and it only takes a couple of things to go wrong for a playoff series to fall apart.
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We have won ONE SC in over 70+ years. 1994.
It’s real!!!
You undersold it. It's one cup in 84 years. Their previous Cup predates Pearl Harbor by a year and a half.
I think this team has the best chance of any of the recent Rangers teams, but you also never know with this franchise.
Up two goals, twice, in the first two games of the SCF, and lose both in OT.
Up 3-1 on home ice in the first round of the playoffs, and then Mats Zuccarello gets drilled in the head with a slapshot.
Or you're 20 minutes away from a 3-0 series lead in the ECF, and next thing you know your season is over without having a 3rd period lead again.
Could the Rangers win the Cup this year? Sure they could.
Do I think they will? No, because why the hell would I? I hope I'm wrong, but the East is wide open and it only takes a couple of things to go wrong for a playoff series to fall apart.
As well as the shutout losses, games 5 and 7 vs. Tampa in '15 and last year vs. NJ. In that Kings series, the Rangers never scored a goal beyond the 2nd period of a game. Plus guys like Nash and Gaborik who could never take over a game or put up points the way other stars in the league would. Hopefully, Panarin is past that as well, because his playoff performances the past 2 years have been pretty bad. That is putting it nicely actually when considering last year. The '22 playoffs, at least he had a game 7 OT winner. Last year to go 6 consecutive games without a point was disgraceful. Hopefully this year in the playoffs, he goes nuts and the narrative as he raises the Cup is how he used the pathetic '23 playoff performance as motivation to elevate his game.
I still think the 2012 team goes all the way with a healthy Gaborik. That shoulder injury rendered him useless.
As well as the shutout losses, games 5 and 7 vs. Tampa in '15 and last year vs. NJ. In that Kings series, the Rangers never scored a goal beyond the 2nd period of a game. Plus guys like Nash and Gaborik who could never take over a game or put up points the way other stars in the league would. Hopefully, Panarin is past that as well, because his playoff performances the past 2 years have been pretty bad. That is putting it nicely actually when considering last year. The '22 playoffs, at least he had a game 7 OT winner. Last year to go 6 consecutive games without a point was disgraceful. Hopefully this year in the playoffs, he goes nuts and the narrative as he raises the Cup is how he used the pathetic '23 playoff performance as motivation to elevate his game.
Hopefully the difference between this year and the last two is that the Rangers actually have an offensive philosophy beyond Gallant saying "go score" and dusting his hands off.
I still think the 2012 team goes all the way with a healthy Gaborik. That shoulder injury rendered him useless.
Yes, healthy Gaborik in '12, I think they at least beat the Devils, though the Kings were pretty much a tank in those playoffs. '15 is the year I lament the most, because I think that was their best shot. I am still convinced if they got by Tampa that they would have beaten Chicago in the Finals. Between Zuccarello's head injury, McDonagh and Girardi both playing on one leg, and Nash being MIA, they ran out of steam.
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I hate every Rangers player on that ice that game 7 vs Tampa Bay in 2015 except for Lundqvist, with a burning passion. What a pussy performance.
Maybe you should focus some of your hatred on the coach who dressed the most ridiculous lineup imaginable for that game.
God that was maddening.
I still think the 2012 team goes all the way with a healthy Gaborik. That shoulder injury rendered him useless.
That was the biggest "?" Ever, I thought they had the Devils up 2-1 games. Nope. Lose 3 in a row.
... Where the fuck was the offense? Maybe my mind is a bit fuzzy but what was the big mistake by the coach? I fucking hate that game so I forget.
... Where the fuck was the offense? Maybe my mind is a bit fuzzy but what was the big mistake by the coach? I fucking hate that game so I forget.
I'm a little fuzzy with this reference as well, though I do recall them dressing 7 D, with Matt Hunwick getting a few shifts, due to the uncertainty of if McDonagh was going to be able to make it through the game.
this team is not '94 (or '13-'15 or '22). How many HOFers were on that '94 team? 5? Obviously players like Lowe and Anderson past their primes, Messier too if being honest, but regardless still HOFer (and Messier had many good years after '94)
And I think you could make a case for Richter and Graves for the HOF. a player like Graves will never be fully appreciated by award voters and it's not the NHL HOF so Richter should get consideration for the 1996 World Cup of Hockey which may be the single greatest goalie performance I have ever seen....anyway while this current NYR team is not '94 I do think they are the best equipped NYR team to win a cup since 1994.
They have every ingredient - elite goalie, special teams, grit, skill, a face off guy, coaching, just need to stay healthy the rest of the way.
I would try and lock up #1 seed, a home game 7 could be a difference maker, but it doesn't really matter IMO as much as health.
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Game 7 vs Tampa Bay
... Where the fuck was the offense? Maybe my mind is a bit fuzzy but what was the big mistake by the coach? I fucking hate that game so I forget.
I'm a little fuzzy with this reference as well, though I do recall them dressing 7 D, with Matt Hunwick getting a few shifts, due to the uncertainty of if McDonagh was going to be able to make it through the game.
Yes, they dressed 11 forwards, one of whom was Tanner Glass, so really 10 forwards.
And with TB committed to shutting squeezing the life out of the game (the same as Game 5) the coach had no answers. That's where the hell the offense was. The same offense that scored 17 goals combined in Games 3, 4, and 6 scored 0 in Games 5 & 7.
Is that because the players stunk, or because they couldn't make adjustments after not scoring early in either game?
this team is not '94 (or '13-'15 or '22). How many HOFers were on that '94 team? 5? Obviously players like Lowe and Anderson past their primes, Messier too if being honest, but regardless still HOFer (and Messier had many good years after '94)
And I think you could make a case for Richter and Graves for the HOF. a player like Graves will never be fully appreciated by award voters and it's not the NHL HOF so Richter should get consideration for the 1996 World Cup of Hockey which may be the single greatest goalie performance I have ever seen....anyway while this current NYR team is not '94 I do think they are the best equipped NYR team to win a cup since 1994.
They have every ingredient - elite goalie, special teams, grit, skill, a face off guy, coaching, just need to stay healthy the rest of the way.
I would try and lock up #1 seed, a home game 7 could be a difference maker, but it doesn't really matter IMO as much as health.
Ya because they're not a successful franchise. My God I hope you're right but everyone who is doubtful they'll win it all isn't far off from reality. Again, I'll believe it when I see it.
I don't care what other fans think or believe but Good God can you guys be right for once lol
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In comment 16454943 Route 9 said: Game 7 vs Tampa Bay
... Where the fuck was the offense? Maybe my mind is a bit fuzzy but what was the big mistake by the coach? I fucking hate that game so I forget.////////
I'm a little fuzzy with this reference as well, though I do recall them dressing 7 D, with Matt Hunwick getting a few shifts, due to the uncertainty of if McDonagh was going to be able to make it through the game. ....
And with TB committed to shutting squeezing the life out of the game (the same as Game 5) the coach had no answers. That's where the hell the offense was. The same offense that scored 17 goals combined in Games 3, 4, and 6 scored 0 in Games 5 & 7.
Is that because the players stunk, or because they couldn't make adjustments after not scoring early in either game?
heh, this could just as easily be dialogue about 2022 vs TBL, jumping out big 2--0, then 3-1. But it wasn't Nash and Gaborik it was Zib and Kreider, who had big games in the early wins and just crumbled to nothing when the games got hot and tight. I remember their PG interviews after the crushing four losses: they had nothing to offer in their defense, even the loss that made it 3-2, still up a game and just a W to clinch.
And the inexplicable coach's decision was to sit KK in Game 7 (or was that Devils' Game 7?).
pj, not sure I can agree your thought above that '22 top 6 then was worse than 24. 2nd line today, no question Bread, Trocheck & Laf--really our first line--are better. But '22 Vatrano Zib and Kreider were really cooking post-trade (hence the push to bring him back this trade deadline), up until TBL. '1st line': I don't put it on Roslovic, to Lowell's comment, because the chemistry and production from 93 and 20 have been MIA for better part of a half season. As I urged a few weeks ago in similar discussion, right now there is no balance in the top 6 with the top 3 being so unproductive--and liability in their own end and neutral ice. Lavvy has a matchup issue to cope with.
As to Roslovic and Wennberg: saw a stat last week, so it's stale: Guentzel 14 points (in fewer games bec of his injury);
Roslovic + Wennberg = 8 points
I think the tenor of writing off a Series vs CAR because we've handled them before is glib, not real.
and you're saying it because Kreider and Mika's chemistry seems off this year and for that reason you think the top 6 in '22 was better? I don't want to miss-state your opinion.
Either way, I stand by my view that the top 6 is better this year and I believe that because Panarin has elevated his game so much it negates the Kreider/Mika decline, plus having Trocheck far outweighs Strome IMO. ESPECIALLY on the dots and defensively, but also offensively. Not even considering for a second that Lafreniere is on the verge of breaking out if he hasn't already.
Vatrano was barely over .5 PPG in the playoffs (in 20 games) with 33% of those points coming on the PP which Roslovic won't play on, so I'll make a bet with you today that if the Rangers gets close to 20 playoff games or more, that Roslovic will have more 5v5 points than Vatrano did in '22.
It doesn't matter (to me) if Mika and Kreider outperform '22 (when they were really good most games) because Panarin, Trocheck and Lafreniere are the top scoring line now. And that's a good thing not a bad one. The Rangers "secondary scoring" is a real thing.