Post-Game Talk: #2 - 01/16/21 | islanders @ RANGERS

[Larrybiv]

he's been really good on it, tbh.

He seems to be adept at retrieving pucks, and getting it to his teammates. That is ESSENTIAL on PP's, me thinks.

 

[The S5]

He did improve some this game, but like you said, he needs to show more of it. For him to get more assists and set up people, he has to be willing and able to hunt the puck into the dirty areas of the ice. You can now see this is not really his forte, which is why he might languish on the third line. I always thought he would make a great power forward. I now have my doubts. Where as Lafreniere already fits the bill.

Have to be patient with Kakko. He has always been a blend of power and skill. Now he is playing in the best league in the world at 19 years old. It is going to take him some time to gain confidence that he can be that same player against the best in the world.
Also, playing more of a power game against grown men takes a bit of maturation time. He isn't the ultra-fast, skilled 19 year old entering the league where he can flash some brilliance.
He's done it at every level. He can do it here. It's up to him to reach his potential.

 

[Larrybiv]

Let the isles sit with that hot shit simmering in their stomach for a couple days like we all just did

Thinking the same. Rather lose the 1st and win the 2nd, than other way around. Now, moving forward we feel more confident to destroy the Debbies.

 

[Ratelleitlikeitis]

Just dawned on me, no stars of the game or broadway hat?

Gave it to Clutterbuck.

 

[wolfgaze]

 

[eco's bones]

Smith and Miller were a very good pairing last night. Buchnevich's second goal was just an outstanding shot. The thing with Pavel is he's continued to round out his game from year to year. The question eventually will be 'can we afford him?' but really he's still improving as a player IMO.

On the scratching of Tony D. Tony should be playing a lot this year---there's no question he is a top notch offensive minded D. There are issues sometimes between players and the coaching staff though and getting out ahead of them sometimes is the best way to go. Tony lost his composure the other night and even though at that point the game was pretty much lost already---it wasn't necessary and FWIW it could be another player that does the same and gets scratched for losing it too.

 

[Baby Punisher]

Well, that went well.

 

[Larrybiv]

Same. It was so unlike myself, but I just knew the Rangers would f*** up my night on Thursday, and it pissed me off.

Thats okay, the diehards take it the worst. I kept it to a minimium, while others did the whining for me. Because indeed......it was only one game, but was nevertheless disappointing. We werent going to be 56-0, right?

 

[Larrybiv]

I will say, Miller looked night and day more comfortable out there. Not surprising of course.

I questioned if he was ready after game 1, he looked the part tonight.

Think hes going to be just fine. Rookie mistakes et al. He has so much raw talent its incredible. Coaches see it, and he'll get by simply with that. Intelligence he has aplenty. He'll learn.

It was said that Trouba s taken him under his wing as his original partner. Hope that continues, and surely Smitty will help. Kind of wish Staal was here, simply for his "experience".

But hot damn, Lindgren/Trouba certainly looked like legit shutdown/get out of our dzone and take a hit while you are LEAVING......why don't ya'!

 

[Larrybiv]

And he did make fun of Sorokin, right?

Yes, he did. Something in the nature that maybe he was nervous, and maybe he wanted me to score.....something like that. Have a difficult enough time with English, so understanding his dialect.....well, I tried.

 

[bl02]

I really wanna take time out this morning to thank the Boston Bruins

 

[Larrybiv]

I should have voted for him. Dang. But really, so many guys were good. I gave Smith some love. He is the perfect bottom pair D aside from the penalties. Miller was good too. He’s showing flashes. And he’s not trying to do too much. He’s playing safe. He’s like a smart version of Brady Skjei.

Everyone had to exclude multiple players, there were much more than 3. Gave some love to Smitty as well, as he legit got it going early with his scruffle, then made that amazing defensive play heading up great pass to Panarin, and other plays I cant remember due to Jim Beam's extra aged.

 

[Larrybiv]

I would keep Laf on that line with Bread and replace Strome with Chytil. But I would make a shit coach, so I dunno.

Yeah, that will open up little more space for him to REALLY get going, get his feet wet, get on scoreboard.....all of that good shit.

 

[Larrybiv]

Just wait until he gets more experience under his belt.

His problems are really more geared towards trying to do too much which we've seen in both of these games, but he also stepped up in the NZ and intercepted a pass which none of our other D would have done.

I cannot wait to see the player he is when hes 23-24.

Don't think it will take that long. This kid is special, that ONE PLAY you mentioned, will be part of his repertoire as soon as he feels "comfortable" and the coaches give him the "okay" to do certain things while patting him on the back. Which is PRICELESS to them youngins.

 

[Shesterkybomb]

There's a lot of bias put on Johnson before he got here, outside of that odd penalty he took the first game i think he's been worth his contract so far. He's been good in front of the net, his first pass is quick and on the tape. I get the feeling the best compliment he'll ever get here is "he hasn't been horrible".

 

[Chytilmania]

Obviously Tony will be back next game, but I’d leave Fox on the top PP unit, it’s his job to lose it, imo.

Ehhh didn't they go 1-9? Tony skates around more to move people when he has the puck. Fox was pretty stationary at the top.

 

[Shesterkybomb]

Fox was excellent on the pp last night

 

[Maliks PlusMinus]

There's a lot of bias put on Johnson before he got here, outside of that odd penalty he took the first game i think he's been worth his contract so far. He's been good in front of the net, his first pass is quick and on the tape. I get the feeling the best compliment he'll ever get here is "he hasn't been horrible".

Bad first game at even strength and good second game. He's been like the Rangers so far. Hopefully everyone will give him a chance, but I suppose the dislike is based on the expectation he will suck.

 

[GoAwayPanarin]

DeAngelo or Fox on PP1 isn't the convo we should be having....

Replacing Strome on the top unit is though.

 

[bl02]

DeAngelo or Fox on PP1 isn't the convo we should be having....

Replacing Strome on the top unit is though.

One is way more obvious than the other but no reason we shouldn’t have both. Strome is just kinda there almost in the damn way on the pp lol.

 

[Kovalev27]

Smith and Miller were a very good pairing last night. Buchnevich's second goal was just an outstanding shot. The thing with Pavel is he's continued to round out his game from year to year. The question eventually will be 'can we afford him?' but really he's still improving as a player IMO.

On the scratching of Tony D. Tony should be playing a lot this year---there's no question he is a top notch offensive minded D. There are issues sometimes between players and the coaching staff though and getting out ahead of them sometimes is the best way to go. Tony lost his composure the other night and even though at that point the game was pretty much lost already---it wasn't necessary and FWIW it could be another player that does the same and gets scratched for losing it too.

i see no path forward that allows us to keep buchy. With lafreniere here and the signing of kreider and with kakko and very soon kravtsov needing more mins it just is not possible to sign a winger to big money. Going to be very tough losing him but here’s a situation where we really can’t keep a player we would really like to keep.

 

[ThirdEye]

Fox was excellent on the pp last night

I think some of his struggles on there have to do with inexperience. Someone with his skill level will eventually figure it out.

I still probably prefer ADA but I don’t see him on this team long term even if he stops with the theatrics, so I don’t mind Fox getting some chances. We have too much D depth and he’s probably going to be casualty numero uno

 

[Ola]

Have to be patient with Kakko. He has always been a blend of power and skill. Now he is playing in the best league in the world at 19 years old. It is going to take him some time to gain confidence that he can be that same player against the best in the world.
Also, playing more of a power game against grown men takes a bit of maturation time. He isn't the ultra-fast, skilled 19 year old entering the league where he can flash some brilliance.
He's done it at every level. He can do it here. It's up to him to reach his potential.

Great post!

What I also think is important -- and something that shouldn't be overlooked in terms of something that he must focus on -- is his ability to play with top players and provide in the areas that are necessary to make a "top unit" work.

A good example of a player who never really pinned this down is Rick Nash. He pwned juniors. Came to CBJ and quickly became a guy that everyone else focused on supporting. He had OK linemates in like Vyborny, Prospal and the likes. But they served Nash, there were little focus on Nash putting them in position to score and playing to their strengths. This really hurt Nash later in his career when he couldn't do everything by himself. Had Nash like played with a Joe Thornton during his young years, he definitely would have developed the teamplay aspects more.

Kakko kind of have the same background. Not as extreme as Nash could be at times. But like, I think instantly you can see that Laf is a bit more comfortable and understands what Panarin wants. He is really comfortable there. Kakko has more work to do. Kakko can be a fantastic passer and he can really process the game extremely well at a high pace. He has all the potential to become a very good linemate for top guys. BUT, and all I am saying is, he is a little behind in this area. There is a lot of focus on him creating offense for himself, and less on him getting to really gel with a teammate or two and hence create offense through that.

 

[DekeR]

I like a PP that is actually fluid, not a I'll play here you play there kinda of scenario. Add the high slot deflector into the equation and you have something.

 

[Gardner McKay]

I really wanna take time out this morning to thank the Boston Bruins

What for, the pick we used for K'Andre Miller or for trading us Ryan Lindgren?