GDT: #11 - 02/08/21 | islanders @ RANGERS | 7:00 - MSG, NBCSN

[will1066]

I think unfortunately he's being called upon once again to play in a role he's not suited for. To me he's looking like a 4th liner, not a guy who can center a line that is expected to provide offense. If he can play in straight lines, work the boards, and not have to be creative and help setup his linemates, then he's fine. If he's being tasked with keeping up with offensive players then he will struggle.
With Chytil out he's basically playing out of position.

That's what he's doing exactly.

 

[will1066]

He plays every night, has for a couple of years. What does he do well? I just don't see it. And i haven't seen anyone articulate on this board what it is that gets him into the lineup every night.

See @Levitate post. He's physically able to keep up with the play now. He's no longer being ragdolled around on his shifts, and he's been working the boards and playing north-south effectively since the first game.

 

[NYR Viper]

That's what he's doing exactly.

And that's not really his fault. As a 4C he was playing well. As a 4th line winger he was really playing well.

 

[Larrybiv]

Starting Georgeiv given his numbers against the Islander wouldn’t be the worst decision in the world. But you go with the hotter goalie, and that’s been Shesty.

Wrote this in Shesty thread........
Regardless that Georgiev has great history vs Isles, they NEED to play Shesty tonight. He's been solid last couple games, and we need to see if we can ride him a bit.
Georgie boy hasn't looked so great lately, points necessary and we should be riding the hot hand. Also, Georgiev has had numerous long spells without playing, so when the time comes he will have his chance to be the "hot hand".

So, guess we think along the same lines.

 

[aufheben]

I kind of belief he would have said it was Shesterkin if it was.

Bro.

 

[aufheben]

We’re spoiled with goalies. There are teams that don’t have a starter as good as Georgiev.

 

[Fitzy]

The “51-49” Quinn comment suggests georgiev to me

 

[True Blue]

I think unfortunately he's being called upon once again to play in a role he's not suited for. To me he's looking like a 4th liner, not a guy who can center a line that is expected to provide offense. If he can play in straight lines, work the boards, and not have to be creative and help setup his linemates, then he's fine. If he's being tasked with keeping up with offensive players then he will struggle.
With Chytil out he's basically playing out of position.

I do not disagree, BUT (and this goes to a larger discussion regarding the future of how the team is constructed) if all he is being asked to do is win draws and provide defensive play, is that too much? For argument's sake, let's way that the third line is constructed with Lafreniere on LW & either Kakko or Blackwell on RW. One would think that Lafreniere would be the driver on such a line, no? If Howden can just provide solid defensive play and win some draws, can that be enough? At least until he can go back to his regular 4th line duties?

I agree that simply replacing what Chytil was bringing on the 3rd line is beyond Howden's pay grade. Now and probably forever, but if the wings can dominate play, can his offensive short comings not be masked to a degree?

 

[True Blue]

The “51-49” Quinn comment suggests georgiev to me

And it might well be. But the decision, at least for today's game, may not completely be out of left field and not without some merit.

Again, not what I would do, but this is FAR from making an ill-informed decision such as dressing JJ.

 

[Larrybiv]

We just had 4 days off and our starter is rounding into form this shortened season, I feel like it's not really the time to try to get your backup a win for the feels.

Strongly agree, and the "only way" you would play Georgiev in tonight's game, is if Quinn feels that Georgiev really is his #1 or is insanely adamant about his rotation idiocy. Which really would be hard to ingest. And mind you, I like Georgiev, I just feel Shesty is the right move here. He has the capabilities to get us a nice long winning/points streak in which we really need.
Taking 7 of 8 in our last 4, is one thing (against those opponents), BUT taking 6 of 8 in these next 4 games would really imply that our team is starting to get it together.

 

[Larrybiv]

Measuring team success can be tricky, depending on goal/timeline. There has to be some kind of balance/compromise.
We could get wins, reach playoffs, by riding the vets, but kids might suffer. We could put emphasis on the kids, not having much short term success winning games, but have a well developed team in a few years.
Or it could be a balanced approach.
Not easy to be a coach, no matter if it is Quinn or any of the others. No matter what the coach does, some fans will be happy, some not so happy (hope this makes sense, I am not a hockey professor, barely casually following the sport).

If you are here, you're not really casually following the sport. Give yourself some credit! No need to be a professor, and what you say is very true, albeit Quinn gets "much disrespect here", and probably rightfully so. ESPECIALLY if he plays Georgiev tonight, will be a total landslide tomorrow......a bit less if they win with Georgiev.

If you latched on to the Rangers, you have made a good decision. Enjoy the ride, as it should be a very very satisfying 10-12 years.

 

[eco's bones]

If Georgiev plays tonight and loses I'll be disappointed.

If Shesterkin plays tonight and loses I'll be disappointed.

The only way tonight works is if the Rangers win.

On Howden--penalty killer and the only Rangers center who is pretty much breaking even on face-offs.

 

[Sisu4ever]

The “51-49” Quinn comment suggests georgiev to me

Yep.

 

[Larrybiv]

Complaining about Howden's play this year seems a bit short sighted. In his role, he has been fine. More than fine.

A role is a role, is a role. He has been playing decently enough, but surely he should find himself on the scoresheet from time to time. Its not rocket science. Get the puck, pass the puck, shoot the puck. Obviously he is NOT the player we thought he might have been initially, (and yes, I am disappointed) BUT, again.....it would be nice if he could figure out a way to get Laf going and vice versa. Figure it out already, if our 4th line can grind out a goal here and there, why isn't Howden nary on the scoresheet?
I think Laf is going to have to figure this out a little more selfishly. He is going to have to be the one that drives that bus.

 

[GoAwayPanarin]

We’re spoiled with goalies. There are teams that don’t have a starter as good as Georgiev.

There are like 2 teams where this statement applies, if that.

Georgiev isn't a starting goalie or even a 1B. Quinn needs to stop treating him as one.

 

[Larrybiv]

After watching Oilers/Flames the other night, just deal Georgie to Edmonton for a ransom.

I would've been better than Kosy, and I haven't skated in 15 years.

Funny, I said and thought Tony D. would end up there. Package the both, u know reunite old friends. Haha.

 

[will1066]

Expect big time games from Jeff Tambellini, Jack Capuano, and Jeff Norton.

 

[UnderPSI]

No Smith per Larry in his post article.

Rangers must prioritize kids amid hazy Tony DeAngelo aftermath (nypost.com)

David Quinn said that Smith, who would miss his second straight Monday night against the Islanders at the Garden, is close to returning. The coach said that Johnson, sidelined for his fifth straight with a groin issue, is making progress.

Still waiting for that game where LAF breaks out. Hopefully tonight.

Would also be really nice to see Kakko and LAf get more than 10 mins of ice time as well.

Bread, need more leg kick! Just don't kick a teammate please.

 

[MetalJaws]

Beauvillier isn't playing. So that helps.

 

[SnowblindNYR]

We’re spoiled with goalies. There are teams that don’t have a starter as good as Georgiev.

Those teams must have a garbage starter. Georgiev is fine as a backup but he's way too unpredictable for anything more than that. He's the only thing keeping this team from a 4 game win streak.

 

[aufheben]

There are like 2 teams where this statement applies, if that.

Georgiev isn't a starting goalie or even a 1B. Quinn needs to stop treating him as one.

Mega-baloney

 

[GoAwayPanarin]

Mega-baloney

SO hes great at stopping high danger shots but is well below average at stopping the others (which are thrown at any goalie in much larger volume than the HD stuff.)

Yeah, thats not a 1b.

And I'm going to call into question any model that has him in the 96th percentile in consistency.

 

[Larrybiv]

Expect big time games from Jeff Tambellini, Jack Capuano, and Jeff Norton.

I think we should do the above with "ex Rangers" with possibly a "twist" with such named player(s) with possibly a memorable moment.

Like, expect big games from.....
Lindy Ruff (haha)
Walt Tkaczuk and
Ulf Nilsson

 

[Rongomania]

Wish Sorokin was starting

 

[True Blue]

A role is a role, is a role. He has been playing decently enough, but surely he should find himself on the scoresheet from time to time. Its not rocket science. Get the puck, pass the puck, shoot the puck. Obviously he is NOT the player we thought he might have been initially, (and yes, I am disappointed) BUT, again.....it would be nice if he could figure out a way to get Laf going and vice versa. Figure it out already, if our 4th line can grind out a goal here and there, why isn't Howden nary on the scoresheet?
I think Laf is going to have to figure this out a little more selfishly. He is going to have to be the one that drives that bus.

If you are waiting for Howden to get Lafreniere going, you are going to be waiting for a long time. Scoring a goal like Rooney and getting a winger going are two things.

In the role that he was give this season, Howden has been pretty good Is he ready for a bigger one? No, but that is not to diminish that he has been largely playing well in the role that he was given.