Post-Game Talk: #7 - 01/28/21 | RANGERS @ sabres

[KevinFinnerty]

It still baffles me that Quinn insists on playing JJ over Smith, an experienced vet who is more than serviceable. This is not some rookie kid that Quinn doesn’t trust who JJ is playing over, which is understandable in some cases. But even then, they would probably be a better choice over JJ. JJ is possibly the worst defenseman we’ve ever had. Worse than Staal. Worse than Girardi. Worse than Hajek. Worse than Kampfer. Worse than Gilmour. Worse than McIlrath. Worse than Raphael Diaz.

Not worse than Michael Kostka #4.

 

[will1066]

Bruce F'n Driver

Derek Morris, Corey Potter, and Dmitri Kalinin all say hi.

 

[SnowblindNYR]

K’Andre led the D in TOI 5v5.

Of course, Johnson wasn't playing Quinn had to play someone.

 

[Machinehead]

Machinehead tonight after the analytics and the win.

How I'm gonna sleep now that Laf finally scored

 

[WojtekWolski86]

Who is this kid Colin Blackwell? He had more shifts than the Bread Man tonight! WOW! He was noticeable every shift. Hard to believe this second year never was,.. is that good. We might have struck gold signing this guy for pittance. Seems just the kind of gritty, in your face guy to replace Fast on the second line. What a pick up. He was deservedly rewarded with OT ice time with the effort he put forth, and was huge in bringing home the W to end this road trip.

The dude is playing like a man who will not be able to put food on the table if he gets sent down. Not kidding with the financial uncertainty of the AHL and minor lesgues.

 

[Machinehead]

Miller was way more excited about that goal than his own first goal lol

 

[Levitate]

what the hell was up with the lines tonight though. Seemed like every other shift Quinn was moving guys around. Thankfully they played through it but it seemed bizarre

 

[ohbaby]

my boys wicked smaht

Blackwell to Ullmark; dramatic re-enactment

"How do you like them apples?" I love it. LOL

Think about this.... Rangers lost 4 games in a row. With another loss on the line, Quinn goes with a two rookies and a lightly used 2nd year guy, on the ice together in 3 on 3 OT to bring home the win. That's insane.

 

[TheTimTamSlammerMan]

Sam with another classic goal call.

 

[gravey9]

It still baffles me that Quinn insists on playing JJ over Smith, an experienced vet who is more than serviceable. This is not some rookie kid that Quinn doesn’t trust who JJ is playing over, which is understandable in some cases. But even then, they would probably be a better choice over JJ. JJ is possibly the worst defenseman we’ve ever had. Worse than Staal. Worse than Girardi. Worse than Hajek. Worse than Kampfer. Worse than Gilmour. Worse than McIlrath. Worse than Raphael Diaz.

While I would dress Smith over Johnson 99 times out of a 100, I think he is pretty shaky out there too. He's not very bright when it comes to positioning and for a 6/7 he takes wayyyyy too many chances out there. I think that's why Quinn has gone with JJ over him. He can rely on Johnson roughly being in the right spot. Problem is, Johnson is basically a glorified traffic cone that literally does nothing else but skate to the right spot on the ice.

I really would like to see Reunanen or Hajek given a shot at some point. Or go get Dunn. I'm unimpressed with either choice.

 

[ohbaby]

Miller was way more excited about that goal than his own first goal lol

I'm sure if his was a game winner, he might have cracked a smile. LOL

 

[PuckLuck3043]

While I would dress Smith over Johnson 99 times out of a 100, I think he is pretty shaky out there too. He's not very bright when it comes to positioning and for a 6/7 he takes wayyyyy too many chances out there. I think that's why Quinn has gone with JJ over him. He can rely on Johnson roughly being in the right spot. Problem is, Johnson is basically a glorified traffic cone that literally does nothing else but skate to the right spot on the ice.

I really would like to see Reunanen or Hajek given a shot at some point. Or go get Dunn. I'm unimpressed with either choice.

I get Smith has his limitations but he is adequate as a 3rd pairing NHL Dman for now. JJ should never see NHL ice ever again.

 

[duhmetreE]

While I would dress Smith over Johnson 99 times out of a 100, I think he is pretty shaky out there too. He's not very bright when it comes to positioning and for a 6/7 he takes wayyyyy too many chances out there. I think that's why Quinn has gone with JJ over him. He can rely on Johnson roughly being in the right spot. Problem is, Johnson is basically a glorified traffic cone that literally does nothing else but skate to the right spot on the ice.

I really would like to see Reunanen or Hajek given a shot at some point. Or go get Dunn. I'm unimpressed with either choice.

Smith had a couple of rough shifts to start the game but he settled down and had a solid game. It's night and day difference compared to JJ. Smith is an actual NHL talent. He's our #6 and arguably the team leader.

I'd also like to see whats up with Hajek... He looked like a miniMac, then got hurt. Since then he's been MIA.

 

[Rangers in 7]

Still pissed with Quinn’s usage of Kakko. He’s an idiot

 

[WojtekWolski86]

Fox was a real rover on the power play.

Blackwell keeping his spot in the lineup.

Laf looked really good.

Kakko looked really good.

Buch is possessed. Under AV he was like a pool noodle when it came to physically engaging in the play. Now he is willing to stick his nose everywhere.

Time to build off this game.

 

[SnowblindNYR]

I just saw a Zoom interview with Quinn before the game where he said that JJ being is short term, ugh.

 

[JimmyG89]

Without Kakko getting any PP time, and he's not ready to be a PK guy yet, he's going to get low amounts of minutes. Buch has earned his large amount of ice time. Blackwell has been very good and earned his playing time. Rooney and Howden had to play more with Strome going down.

Kakko had the 6th most minutes of our wingers. Trust me, I want him to be out there more too. He's been much better this season, and impacting the game. Ideally, he and Blackwell would have their minutes closer in this game, but it's hard to argue against Blackwell, he hasn't done anything wrong.

Kakko will get his ice time. He's going to eventually force Quinn's hand. For now, he's going to have these games where he sees the ice less.

 

[PuckLuck3043]

I just saw a Zoom interview with Quinn before the game where he said that JJ being is short term, ugh.

This is what infuriates me about Quinn. He talks about the eye test in his post game and then he plays Johnson when he has been a nightmare on ice. I don't get it.

 

[AKrangerfan]

What is our record with JJ playing and without him playing? I might be off by a game but I think we won every game he didn't play and lost every game he played.

 

[gravey9]

A few thoughts:

#1 takeaway Zibanejad played with real jump for the first time all year. Finally looked explosive. Was a real force in causing turnovers. Beyond that, when Zib is going like this, much like when Chytil is going, you can see how a C with explosive skating and skill loosens up the middle of the ice. When we don't have that element all of our offense gets pushed to the sidewalls, which makes passing lanes easier to defend and goalies often get to cut the ice in half. We need Zib and Chytil to soften the center of the ice.

#2 Takeaway, Blackwell is what we all hoped Greg McKegg was. He is not just very effective on the forecheck, he reads the play well and adds a little bit of vision too. He is a keeper as long as he doesn't wear down...

#3 Kakko. He is noticeable almost every shift. He causes a handful of turnovers every game. If he can find a little more confidence with the puck and getting it to the net he will become really dangerous. Right now, he's still keeping things to the outside a bit too much. Once he starts bulling his way to the net, he's gonna be a problem.

#4. Lemieux's first shift after he took that penalty was amazing. He flashed skill but also pure tenacity in willing his way to the net with the puck. That is EXACTLY the kind of player you want in a bottom 6 role. But we only see it once in a while....

#5 Eichel. You know, he's got so much skill, size, speed. You watch him do some things and you wonder why he isn't just taking over more shifts. He's an absolute beast. But I don't think he's playing up to his full potential yet.

#6 Dahlin is a very solid player and occasionally flashes. But is it just me or is Adam Fox way more noticeable out there? This is likely an age thing. But I think Dahlin, and Eichel to an extent, are good reminders for us that these kids take time.

I think Lafreniere is a center in the NHL eventually. I just think: a) he doesn't get enough touches on the wing. b) there are moments where a wing has to stop along the walls and turn their backs to the defenders during breakouts and D zone coverage. This under utilizes Laf's skillset. I feel like at C he would be forced to keep his legs moving much like we see with Chytil. I also just think he's way more effective in the middle of the ice.

 

[ohbaby]

A few thoughts:

#1 takeaway Zibanejad played with real jump for the first time all year. Finally looked explosive. Was a real force in causing turnovers.

I agree, but his timing is a bit off. He whiffed on at least three one-timers tonight.

One other thing,.. Blackwell is making Kakko look bad. Blackwell has played 3 games and has been doing everything Kakko was expected to do. Kakko can forget playing with Strome and the Breadman. Blackwell has that spot all but sewn up after tonight's performance.

 

[PuckLuck3043]

Saw the replay of the game. We really did dominate this game. That Laf goal was sweet. We are only 4 points out of a playoff spot with a game in hand even with the crappy start. I think Boston, Washington and Philly are near locks to make it in but that 4th spot is up for grabs and is going to be a dogfight. I want them to get in obviously but most important thing is the progress of the kids. It really is about next year and beyond with this team.

 

[ohbaby]

Of course, Johnson wasn't playing Quinn had to play someone.

I had mentioned this a couple of games back, and think it is worth repeating.

K'Andre Miller is our number 1 shutdown D-man. Every time there is a defensive zone faceoff, Quinn throws Miller out there. With of course the exception of icings and just finishing a long shift. Been going on for a few games now.

And tonight, he was on the ice with Lafreniere and Blackwell for the game winner in OT. Think of that. Two rookies and a 2nd year player on the ice, with the game on the line.

We just got a peek into the future.

 

[gravey9]

I agree, but his timing is a bit off. He whiffed on at least three one-timers tonight.

One other thing,.. Blackwell is making Kakko look bad. Blackwell has played 3 games and has been doing everything Kakko was expected to do. Kakko can forget playing with Strome and the Breadman. Blackwell has that spot all but sewn up after tonight's performance.

Well, Blackwell is 27 years old. Kakko is not even 20. But beyond that, I don't love the comparison as they're vastly different players. And also, Strome and Panarin keep proving they need someone else to do like 90 percent of the dirty work and puck hounding and always be on the right side defensively.

And luckily that is 90% of Blackwell's game. I think CB has already proven he's a better fit on that line than literally any other forward on the roster... and I would include Buchnevich in that. And that's no knock on Buch whose been fantastic.

So, sure, CB is making Kakko look bad on that line, but
a) that's better than Kakko making Kakko look bad. (see: all of last season).
b) you could argue the same for literally every other winger in the lineup.

 

[WojtekWolski86]

Anyone notice that Blackwell wouldn't get off the ice? Panarin tried to hop on at least 2 times. Then Panarin bolted past Miller to be the first to congratulate AL. It's almost like Panarin was like "who the fook is this?"