I'm still so juiced up after that win, and from reading these threads. So glad the board felt as positive about last night's game as I did! One of the best 60 minutes I've seen in a long time.
We finally played last night like a team that can win the cup. THAT is how competitive you need to be, how aggressive you need to be as a TEAM, in order to take the grandest prize. Granted, it was one game, but it was against a great team and all players contributed. If we can manage to continue playing with that mentality and fierceness, and then you even add Hags back into the mix, then this could turn out to be the best season and best team we've had since 94; and I mean that.
As far as some specific kudos go, I cannot possibly minimize the impact Richards had last night, and the game he played. It was downright inspiring and I hope with every ounce of hope in me that he can continue to be that Brad. Because that Brad is a gamechanger. I hadn't been, but I now find myself rooting my ass off for him to prove all the naysayers (even closet ones like myself) wrong.
Zuc is just awesome to watch isn't he? So glad he's on our team and can play with freedom. This will be the season he learns the art of finishing. Just wait and see. Give him 2 months.
Nash was also a beast tonight. Let's hope he remembers how good it feels to be that Nash and keeps it up.
And I'm absolutely in love with our transition game. I used to say for years, why can't we have a transition game like that? Why can't we be fast like that? It would always be the other team. But last night it was us, and it was fun as hell to watch. Our transition out of our zone, our quick passing, our pressure on the puck, our refusing to sit on a lead. Actually, that last one deserves another mention: Refusing to sit on a lead. Holy hell how good that felt to finally see us continue to compete after getting a lead!
All I know is I absolutely CAN'T WAIT for tonight's game. And if we lose, we lose. But if we win, if we win in the way we won last night, then that'll be one hell of a good sign for what's to come this season. I just hope we don't play the sort of stinker that makes the previous night's success evaporate. I love feeling this good about them, even if only because of one game. I want this feeling to keep on going. It's been a while...
Enjoy, my friends. And LET'S GO RANGERS!!!