Post-Game Talk: 4/1: AV returns to Vancouver (McDonagh injury "not serious")

[pld459666]

We could still have scored 5 goal last night. Missed net on a breakaway, missed net on a tip in, Poo getting robbed, missed tip in by Zucc. These Canucks are not as good defensively as the Rangers the last 2 years under Torts, not by a long shot.

don't get me wrong, I'm not saying that Vancouver is anywhere near as tight as the Rangers were playing a similar style. But when you hear players commenting about not being able to play in the middle of the ice the way Staal stated, it's not a surprise.

Breakways happen, tip in's and deflections are a crap shoot, didn't see the rob job on Poo.

Point remains, getting to the middle of the ice and playing there against a Torts coached team is a difficult task. And it's not surprising they had a tougher time doing it.

 

[eco's bones]

I mean...it's a Torts team and this is kind of how Vancouver has played recently. They forecheck hard and work hard but they suck at getting to the middle of the ice and scoring goals, but that doesn't make it easy to play them.

The only team that's scary in the east is Boston and we can hope someone manages to take them out before the Rangers would assumedly face them in the ECF (if they make it there).

Getting bent out of shape about "oh my god a REAL team is going to kill this team!" is silly considering the Rangers overall body of work since December and the fact that in the NHL even the crappy teams can give you a run for your money on any given night.

I do think the Rangers will have a very serious problem with this issue if they wind up playing the Bruins. The Flyers I'm not that worried about--which isn't to say the Flyers couldn't beat us in a series--I just think the Rangers are a better all around team and should win.

The Bruins are a different animal. I think Rask is close enough to Henrik and I think the Bruins are stronger than us at forward--not only talent wise but physically by a lot. If the Bruins have an achilles heel it's their D--especially having suffered numerous injuries to their D this year.

FWIW I think the Rangers would have a decent shot at knocking off the Penguins--at least as good a one as the Flyers would have knocking off us.

Boston is the only team that really worries me in the east and truthfully I don't see anyone knocking them off until the SC finals.

 

[Nightshift]

Lack of respect hit from Burrows IMO. Wasn't really up high, a bit of a charge maybe but McD was already tied up and defenseless.

 

[Bardof425*]

That's a lot of why we drafted Dylan McIlrath. I think he becomes a regular NHL player - maybe not a star, maybe not even for us, blah blah blah 10th overall, but I like him. He's a different element and I'd like to see him soon, but we're not really in a position where we have to rush him or any other young player.

The one thing I love about this year's Rangers team is the amount of success we've had with veteran depth pickups. Moore, Pouliot, Klein, Carcillo, Diaz now - all contributors, all likable players (even Carcillo!), none of them are real fighters. Heavyweights who aren't garbage on skates are hard to find, they're overvalued as a deterrent, and I think the fact that we finally stopped trying to find them is a lot of why this roster kinda works.

I agree that nothing was going to stop Burrows from being who he is. However, after the hit someone needed to jump him and beat him for as long as the surroundings would allow; pretty simple.

 

[SnowblindNYR]

don't get me wrong, I'm not saying that Vancouver is anywhere near as tight as the Rangers were playing a similar style. But when you hear players commenting about not being able to play in the middle of the ice the way Staal stated, it's not a surprise.

Breakways happen, tip in's and deflections are a crap shoot, didn't see the rob job on Poo.

Point remains, getting to the middle of the ice and playing there against a Torts coached team is a difficult task. And it's not surprising they had a tougher time doing it.

No, I'm just saying we blew some grade A chances. I was more concerned about the lack of possession in their zone, WE looked like a Torts team, constantly in our zone, blocking shots.

 

[pld459666]

No, I'm just saying we blew some grade A chances. I was more concerned about the lack of possession in their zone, WE looked like a Torts team, constantly in our zone, blocking shots.

That's not good

 

[eco's bones]

I agree that nothing was going to stop Burrows from being who he is. However, after the hit someone needed to jump him and beat him for as long as the surroundings would allow; pretty simple.

And if that player were deemed to have instigated a fight in the last 5 minutes--he'd be sitting out the next game. Rule 46.22.

 

[SnowblindNYR]

I agree that nothing was going to stop Burrows from being who he is. However, after the hit someone needed to jump him and beat him for as long as the surroundings would allow; pretty simple.

I would have enjoyed that, but other than bring some satisfaction to you, what would that have accomplished?

 

[Jersey Girl]

If he misses a playoff series there won't be another playoff series; this year.

I agree with this! I was fighting nodding off toward the end of the game, but after that hit my stomach was churning and I was wide awake. Stayed up through the entire post-game, even though I knew there wouldn't be any news.

I was debating the other day with a poster saying the Rangers have the best depth on defense in the entire NHL. I don't think either one of us, however, thinks this team has a chance without our Norris Trophy candidate.

Regarding the hit itself, I don't think it was really illegal, and I doubt there will be a suspension. It was hard, late in the game, and caught McD when he was already engaged with another Canuck.

When I look at these things I try to switch uniforms in my mind and wonder how I would feel if a Ranger had done that to a Canuck. Would I (and everyone) still be screaming about it, or defending the hit?

The hit was in my mind a cheap shot, because Burrows knew McD was vulnerable and knew there was definitely risk of injury. That said, hockey is a tough game and it's also a 60 minute game, and people on both sides often hit without worrying about whether the other guy is going to be injured.

I'm also still worried about McD's head hitting the ice earlier in the game - that could wind up having more repurcussions than a 'not serious' shoulder injury.

 

[Bardof425*]

I'm definitely not a "TOFFNUSS" guy but Girardi's lack of response to players getting hurt is really starting to bug me. McDonagh got trucked right in front of him and he didn't do anything. Zucc rushed to McD's aid while Girardi watched. I'm not looking for him to pound Burrows in the back of the head, but I wish he did something.

You're not? Why? That was the proper reaction and he didn't do it. Very disappointing. G should not be captain; ever. His protective instincts are weak. I hope his son can avoid being pushed around cause his dad ain't gonna help him.

 

[pld459666]

I agree that nothing was going to stop Burrows from being who he is. However, after the hit someone needed to jump him and beat him for as long as the surroundings would allow; pretty simple.

I've come to accept the fact that it's not in the DNA of the players that make up the majority of thsi team.

Late in a tight game and 3-1 is still somewhat tight, we are not going to have Carcillo out there and more often than not (not that he's a liability) Dorsett will also not be out there.

The only other guy that is willing (Boyle) is less than capable.

I think Burrows could probably beat Boyle in a fight and Burrows is no fighter.

The make up of the team is not a physical one. So when there is minimal to no reaction, it doesn't surprise me.

And I'm disappointed in that. But it is what it is.

 

[Levitate]

I do think the Rangers will have a very serious problem with this issue if they wind up playing the Bruins. The Flyers I'm not that worried about--which isn't to say the Flyers couldn't beat us in a series--I just think the Rangers are a better all around team and should win.

The Bruins are a different animal. I think Rask is close enough to Henrik and I think the Bruins are stronger than us at forward--not only talent wise but physically by a lot. If the Bruins have an achilles heel it's their D--especially having suffered numerous injuries to their D this year.

FWIW I think the Rangers would have a decent shot at knocking off the Penguins--at least as good a one as the Flyers would have knocking off us.

Boston is the only team that really worries me in the east and truthfully I don't see anyone knocking them off until the SC finals.

Yeah, I agree, but you never know. A Bruins, Columbus matchup in the first round might actually be really damn fun, as Columbus is a very physical team as well. You never know when things just suddenly stop being easy and a team has to really reach down to gut out some wins in the playoffs. Bruins are obviously the favorites in the east but a sudden bad stretch by Rask and they could be gone.

And I don't know if it's really the Bruins physicality that worries me as much as it is that they're relentless and work very well as a team to create offense from created turnovers, as well as cycling well and attacking the net.

They're really one of those teams you have to force to play defense a lot if you can. They play good team defense but their individual D is a little weak and Chara is slowing down at this point. Not that it's easy, but it's what you have to do to beat a team like that.

 

[pld459666]

I would have enjoyed that, but other than bring some satisfaction to you, what would that have accomplished?

I believe that moments like this have a big impact in the room.

Your best player just got trucked, everyone on the ice should have been looking to murder Burrows.

Guys on the bench see that, McD see's the replay of the guys reaction. A tight group becomes tighter.

 

[Bardof425*]

I would have enjoyed that, but other than bring some satisfaction to you, what would that have accomplished?

Unity. Respect. Dignity. Team toughness. We are going to war in a couple of weeks. All of these are very helpful in the NHL Playoffs.

 

[eco's bones]

One of the attractions to hockey--for me anyway--is the physical nature of the sport. I like hitting and I like fighting. I don't like to see players deliberately trying to injure each other and am fully behind the league when it tries discourage behavior that goes over the line. Can't really say what Burrows was thinking before he hit McD--a desperate team desperately needing points and time running out and it's not unusual to see two players hitting one player at pretty much the same time especially deep in the corners. I don't think there was any real intent to injure. I think he was just taking the body to get the puck.

The other thing is--that wasn't the first time in the game that Ryan got hurt. When he fell on the back of his head in the second period I was seriously thinking he'd been concussed. He got banged up a lot last night and it wasn't just one play.

 

[Bardof425*]

I've come to accept the fact that it's not in the DNA of the players that make up the majority of thsi team.

Late in a tight game and 3-1 is still somewhat tight, we are not going to have Carcillo out there and more often than not (not that he's a liability) Dorsett will also not be out there.

The only other guy that is willing (Boyle) is less than capable.

I think Burrows could probably beat Boyle in a fight and Burrows is no fighter.

The make up of the team is not a physical one. So when there is minimal to no reaction, it doesn't surprise me.

And I'm disappointed in that. But it is what it is.

Klein can go; He just hasn't as a Ranger yet.

 

[RangerBoy]

Other teams look at the Rangers and say the same thing. We can beat those guys. Hockey is a violent sport. There have been worse hits than the Burrows hit. The Rangers don't have anyone to make Burrows pay the price for what happened to McDonagh. It was late in the game and Burrows was tossed so there wasn't an opportunity for pay back but the Rangers would not have done anything anyway. This is the 4th tough hit McDonagh has taken. Cooke. Ference. Pacioretty. Burrows. He escaped any serious injury on the first 3. He missed a game because of the Pacioretty hit. Let's see about this latest incident. Five if you include Ovechkin ramming McDonagh's face into the top of the boards/glass in game 7 last season. Anyone pay a price?

 

[RangerBoy]

Dylan McIlrath.

 

[eco's bones]

I'll reference you back to my #277 and pld.'s #286.

That's the reality of this year's team.

I've often times fantasized about having say Lucic on our team. I'm not one of those who go on and on about what a crap player Stu Bickel is. I see useful components to his game. I'm always interested in 4th liners like Shawn Thornton or bottom pairing d-men like Deryk Engelland who can play the game. Guys that do have those qualities in their DNA.

Speaking of Thornton I thought his attack on Orpik was more than justified--people focused on that POS player who won't back up his numerous dirty hits and he just laid out Loui Eriksson who never really was near the puck. It was frontier justice and I was fine with it. The Rangers don't have a guy with that kind of personality.

These once in a blue moon events do happen. People get mad then. If you don't have a nuclear option--you learn to live with it.

 

[dmjt4160]

None of our players ever took questionable hits or got injured when we had Bic, Prust, and Rupp!!

 

[Balej20]

Other teams look at the Rangers and say the same thing. We can beat those guys. Hockey is a violent sport. There have been worse hits than the Burrows hit. The Rangers don't have anyone to make Burrows pay the price for what happened to McDonagh. It was late in the game and Burrows was tossed so there wasn't an opportunity for pay back but the Rangers would not have done anything anyway. This is the 4th tough hit McDonagh has taken. Cooke. Ference. Pacioretty. Burrows. He escaped any serious injury on the first 3. He missed a game because of the Pacioretty hit. Let's see about this latest incident. Five if you include Ovechkin ramming McDonagh's face into the top of the boards/glass in game 7 last season. Anyone pay a price?

What about the Wayne Simmonds slashes on McDs exposed hand?

 

[Raspewtin]

Other teams look at the Rangers and say the same thing. We can beat those guys. Hockey is a violent sport. There have been worse hits than the Burrows hit. The Rangers don't have anyone to make Burrows pay the price for what happened to McDonagh. It was late in the game and Burrows was tossed so there wasn't an opportunity for pay back but the Rangers would not have done anything anyway. This is the 4th tough hit McDonagh has taken. Cooke. Ference. Pacioretty. Burrows. He escaped any serious injury on the first 3. He missed a game because of the Pacioretty hit. Let's see about this latest incident. Five if you include Ovechkin ramming McDonagh's face into the top of the boards/glass in game 7 last season. Anyone pay a price?

Minus the Montreal game, all of those resulted in Ranger wins. Rangers actually won on Gaborik's PP goal when Ference was serving his major for it.

I don't see your point. Are you insinuating that because Cooke elbowed McDonagh and nobody assaulted him, it set off a chain reaction that players will just hit McDonagh with no care?

 

[eco's bones]

Klein can go; He just hasn't as a Ranger yet.

Klein wasn't on the ice. He also has a long fuse. Steve Vickers who was a very good fighter was that way. Vickers really didn't fight for his teammates--he fought for himself--when someone gave him too much ****. Most players are like that. The Rangers have had guys who dropped them for their teammates but basically that's an enforcers mentality--like Fotiu or Prust. One of the things I liked so much about Dubinsky who wasn't really a very good fighter but always ready to step in for a teammate.

Dylan McIlrath.

Exactly. That's why we drafted him. Even if he's a bottom pairing NHL d-man he'll be our nuclear option.

 

[schabadoo]

None of our players ever took questionable hits or got injured when we had Bic, Prust, and Rupp!!

And no one takes liberties with Lucic, Chara, Thornton around...

 

[Ian]

The Rangers could have had a line of vintage era McSorley/Probert/Brashear and Burrows would have still done the same thing. Even if the Rangers followed up with Carcillo, Burrows would have turtled anyways.

The bigger problem is the lack of respect around the league, not the fact the rangers don't have some mythical "toughness."