Post-Game Talk: Devil IV

[Zats Muccarello]

My sadness is immeasurable. What a waste of opportunity.

 

[Filip Chytil]

Pardon me, sorry to interrupt the depression.

These last 2 games sucked, but this is still a series. The Devils have seemingly found a new trick on defense, but quite honestly I'll wait to see if they can do this at home. Best of 3 from here on out. Need to find their balls.

This series is not over yet. Back to back giving up 7 goals last year vs PIT and going down 3-1 was worse. Going to be a tight couple games here, but they're not done until NJD wins 4.

 

[CLW]

It's that softish thing that was Gorton's blueprint in thinking the league was trending that way to smaller finesse fast skilled guys. That has to be snuffed out with the next core roster turnover.

You mean like Hughes and Zegras?

 

[qwertyaas]

I'm really not f***ing buying that this organization is gimping our kids by putting them on the 3rd line, because if they were really worth the pedestal some people hold them to, they would be shredding their line counterparts. The kids are ordinary man.

It happens too often. It's not gimping them. It's not extending the leash and allowing mistakes as most topend prospects are given.

Look how quick we are to bench kids on this team instead of letting them grow. But that's an issue with going through a 'rebuild', signing top end FA and getting higher picks while going for playoff runs. You can't afford mistakes so you push them down to lower impact roles and less minutes.

 

[will1066]

You mean like Hughes and Zegras?

They've proven nothing

 

[bleedblue94]

This is another reason I was so annoyed with the regular season. Gallant has his way and he sticks to it, but what was needed was team growth. They had the entire season to try things out, experiment and make things interesting so they could grow like Tampa did. Instead they were happy to sleepwalk into a playoff spot. Lazy.

I had people the first week of the season chirping me that there is no need to have a working pp2, that it's pointless. People saying it was stupid to get kakko reps on the pk. And so on. This team knows one game plan and that's it. I expect them to at least try to execute it better next game.

 

[Shesterkybomb]

Nailed it.

The developmental philosophy of this organization for developing offensive talent has been historically punitive for not playing "the right way" and risk averse and therefore discourages creativity. The Rangers will never win a Cup with this philosophy unless a miracle like Connor McDavid pulling a Lindros to come here this summer happens.


That the kids stink and that the organization is gimping development are not mutually exclusive by any means.

Connor McDavid would turn into Barzal here.

 

[PuckLuck3043]

That's why I said I'd LMAO if the Rangers actually got out and got Kane. Tank I was fine with.

And that 2nd we may give up for Kane if we lose this series is going to be the end of the world? He hasn't been bad either.

 

[bleedblue94]

They've proven nothing

I mean we would take either in a nano second over laffy. They have proven they have elite NHL skill that can alter games.

 

[Filip Chytil]

My sadness is immeasurable. What a waste of opportunity.

A 1st round exit would be quite disappointing. I think this series is going 7. Idk who wins.

 

[irishlaxburger2]

I look forward to Mike Sullivan behind our bench next year

 

[Graves97]

I'm really not f***ing buying that this organization is gimping our kids by putting them on the 3rd line, because if they were really worth the pedestal some people hold them to, they would be shredding their line counterparts. The kids are ordinary man.

Curious to think how the kids would do up agains Hughes or hirshier or consistently playing agains other teams top lines.

 

[17futurecap]

Getting absolutely roasted by these 3 whenever they are on the ice vs whoever we put against them.

 

[gravey9]

Whether the Rangers win or lose this series one thing is clear. The idea that this team would just flip a switch once the playoffs started and they'd change all their regular season inconsistent habits has been proven false.

The old adage: "You are the team your record says you are" holds true to this point. I don't know what's going to happen, but this is absolutely the same team we've watched all year round. Only able to show us their potential in flashes but not with any level of consistency.

I tend to blame the makeup of the squad. But it could be other things. I just don't think we have enough guys who play with the mentality, will or physical makeup to get inside consistently. Say what you want about the Kids, but at least I see them repeatedly trying to drive to the net, get pucks to the net. I think Laffy has been one of our best 5v5 forwards over the first four games.

Regardless, this year's team has not gotten into the habit of showing consistent 60 minute effort. There's been a lot of excuses. There's been a lot of talk about the grind of an 82 game schedule. Lots of reasons on any given night for their lack of consistency. Lots of people on here who choose, perhaps more healthfully so, to focus on the optimistic side.

But all you need to dispel all that optimism is just look at the Bruins all year. They played the right way from post to post in the regular season. And they're showing it in the playoffs now too and Bergeron hasn't even stepped on the ice. If Mika was out, gosh you'd never hear the end of the excuses. Well, if we had Mika... this, that, and the rest.

That's just not how legit contenders are. Lightning, Avs in seasons past and now the Bruins -- the habits you form as a team by playing 82, they matter. Because it breeds trust, team concept and confidence when the games matter most. Players are just always in the right places 95% of the time on a team that's destined to go to the Finals and win it all.

Can a team turn things around mid-season and win the cup? Yes. The Blues, the Kings -- it happens. But once those teams figured it out, they didn't keep un-figuring it out. They just found consistency.

I'm not saying we won't beat the Devils. We might. I'm not saying we wont' win another round. We could. But I feel confident in say the lack of consistency will have an impact and likely catch up to them and burn this team out before they sniff the Stanley Cup finals.

Then again, I thought Drury wouldn't waste assets on adding Kane after Tarasenko and instead focus on a grittier piece. So, who knows, maybe I'm dead wrong or stating the obvious here. If so, I wasted a lot of words. As for blaming individual players -- I don't really care to point fingers. I see too much puck fumbling from too many players to point fingers. I see too much fancy stick work. I see too much dumb/pretty hockey.

Finally, you know -- is it just the Rangers or is it a league wide thing now that you only bench players in the most extreme situations? I don't like it. I think Gallant needed to send some messages tonight by how he used or didn't use certain top 6 players. Instead he just changed the lines. I don't like it. Bench some dudes. Create some urgency.

 

[DanielBrassard]

This series is not over yet. Back to back giving up 7 goals last year vs PIT and going down 3-1 was worse. Going to be a tight couple games here, but they're not done until NJD wins 4.

It's over because their opponent has realized how to completely stifle the Rangers offense. It actually helped the Rangers the 1st and 2nd game that NJ was playing fast and loose because the Rangers were able to counter attack, now that NJ is being much more patient in the NZ and forcing the Rangers to make things happen they can't do it.

 

[will1066]

I had people the first week of the season chirping me that there is no need to have a working pp2, that it's pointless. People saying it was stupid to get kakko reps on the pk. And so on. This team knows one game plan and that's it. I expect them to at least try to execute it better next game.

In all honesty, PP2 gets a chance because Trocheck and Tarasenko are on it.

 

[EdJovanovski]

Whether the Rangers win or lose this series one thing is clear. The idea that this team would just flip a switch once the playoffs started and they'd change all their regular season inconsistent habits has been proven false.

The old adage: "You are the team your record says you are" holds true to this point. I don't know what's going to happen, but this is absolutely the same team we've watched all year round. Only able to show us their potential in flashes but not with any level of consistency.

I tend to blame the makeup of the squad. But it could be other things. I just don't think we have enough guys who play with the mentality, will or physical makeup to get inside consistently. Say what you want about the Kids, but at least I see them repeatedly trying to drive to the net, get pucks to the net. I think Laffy has been one of our best 5v5 forwards over the first four games.

Regardless, this year's team has not gotten into the habit of showing consistent 60 minute effort. There's been a lot of excuses. There's been a lot of talk about the grind of an 82 game schedule. Lots of reasons on any given night for their lack of consistency. Lots of people on here who choose, perhaps more healthfully so, to focus on the optimistic side.

But all you need to dispel all that optimism is just look at the Bruins all year. They played the right way from post to post in the regular season. And they're showing it in the playoffs now too and Bergeron hasn't even stepped on the ice. If Mika was out, gosh you'd never hear the end of the excuses. Well, if we had Mika... this, that, and the rest.

That's just not how legit contenders are. Lightning, Avs in seasons past and now the Bruins -- the habits you form as a team by playing 82, they matter. Because it breeds trust, team concept and confidence when the games matter most. Players are just always in the right places 95% of the time on a team that's destined to go to the Finals and win it all.

Can a team turn things around mid-season and win the cup? Yes. The Blues, the Kings -- it happens. But once those teams figured it out, they didn't keep un-figuring it out. They just found consistency.

I'm not saying we won't beat the Devils. We might. I'm not saying we wont' win another round. We could. But I feel confident in say the lack of consistency will have an impact and likely catch up to them and burn this team out before they sniff the Stanley Cup finals.

Then again, I thought Drury wouldn't waste assets on adding Kane after Tarasenko and instead focus on a grittier piece. So, who knows, maybe I'm dead wrong or stating the obvious here. If so, I wasted a lot of words. As for blaming individual players -- I don't really care to point fingers. I see too much puck fumbling from too many players to point fingers. I see too much fancy stick work. I see too much dumb/pretty hockey.

Finally, you know -- is it just the Rangers or is it a league wide thing now that you only bench players in the most extreme situations? I don't like it. I think Gallant needed to send some messages tonight by how he used or didn't use certain top 6 players. Instead he just changed the lines. I don't like it. Bench some dudes. Create some urgency.

Laf being one of our best forwards in the series so far is certainly a take

 

[Shesterkybomb]

And that 2nd we may give up for Kane if we lose this series is going to be the end of the world? He hasn't been bad either.

Honestly he's actually trying, i dont fault him so much but i desperately want someone more aggressive on pucks, crashing the net in our top 9, someone to drag us into a game, definitely not Gallagher but someone of his style of play before he broke down. We're way too passive, we don't work to get rebounds, we aren't aggitating their goalie like everyone else does to us. As i said before, Kane is trying, but part of me would just rather have Motte in a top 9 spot instead, but that will never happen with all the "stars" we have.

 

[SnowblindNYR]

Folks, the great thing about blocking somebody is that you don't need to announce it. Thanks.

Blocked.

 

[I Eat Crow]

And that 2nd we may give up for Kane if we lose this series is going to be the end of the world? He hasn't been bad either.

Honestly I still bring him back for a 1 year at league minimum deal next year. Pay his medical expenses for his surgery and LTIR him until he's ready to come back around February. Essentially a "free" deadline acquisition.

I also find a way to keep Tarasenko by dealing Panarin's contract to Anaheim and get Pastujov, Comtois, and a high pick back.

 

[bleedblue94]

In all honesty, PP2 gets a chance because Trocheck and Tarasenko are on it.

Thats the only reason now. This isn't about now or post deadline. It was about 82 games to allow your young skilled players the consistent opportunities to get touches and space to create offense. If they can develop that with some pp time it can carry over to 5v5 confidence

 

[Synergy27]

The goal tonight doesn't happen without him.

Sure. He was still bad but the rest of the game.

 

[SnowblindNYR]

Remember in 2012-2015 how we just hoped we'd have one guy with the talent of Panarin, Zibanejad, Fox, Tarasenko, and Kane? We look no f***ing better now that we do. I can't believe how much I put into this team to get so little out of them year in and year out.

 

[Synergy27]

Let's be frank. Out of Panarin, Kreider, Zibanejad, and Trocheck, our big four before Kane and Tarasenko, only the latter can consistently forecheck on the walls in a real grinding and punishing way. I'm not talking about chipping pucks along the walls to keep the play alive but rather actually playing the body.

Yeah. We have no one that does that. Even though that’s how the playoffs work and we try to be gritty or whatever.

 

[irishlaxburger2]

Whether the Rangers win or lose this series one thing is clear. The idea that this team would just flip a switch once the playoffs started and they'd change all their regular season inconsistent habits has been proven false.

The old adage: "You are the team your record says you are" holds true to this point. I don't know what's going to happen, but this is absolutely the same team we've watched all year round. Only able to show us their potential in flashes but not with any level of consistency.

I tend to blame the makeup of the squad. But it could be other things. I just don't think we have enough guys who play with the mentality, will or physical makeup to get inside consistently. Say what you want about the Kids, but at least I see them repeatedly trying to drive to the net, get pucks to the net. I think Laffy has been one of our best 5v5 forwards over the first four games.

Regardless, this year's team has not gotten into the habit of showing consistent 60 minute effort. There's been a lot of excuses. There's been a lot of talk about the grind of an 82 game schedule. Lots of reasons on any given night for their lack of consistency. Lots of people on here who choose, perhaps more healthfully so, to focus on the optimistic side.

But all you need to dispel all that optimism is just look at the Bruins all year. They played the right way from post to post in the regular season. And they're showing it in the playoffs now too and Bergeron hasn't even stepped on the ice. If Mika was out, gosh you'd never hear the end of the excuses. Well, if we had Mika... this, that, and the rest.

That's just not how legit contenders are. Lightning, Avs in seasons past and now the Bruins -- the habits you form as a team by playing 82, they matter. Because it breeds trust, team concept and confidence when the games matter most. Players are just always in the right places 95% of the time on a team that's destined to go to the Finals and win it all.

Can a team turn things around mid-season and win the cup? Yes. The Blues, the Kings -- it happens. But once those teams figured it out, they didn't keep un-figuring it out. They just found consistency.

I'm not saying we won't beat the Devils. We might. I'm not saying we wont' win another round. We could. But I feel confident in say the lack of consistency will have an impact and likely catch up to them and burn this team out before they sniff the Stanley Cup finals.

Then again, I thought Drury wouldn't waste assets on adding Kane after Tarasenko and instead focus on a grittier piece. So, who knows, maybe I'm dead wrong or stating the obvious here. If so, I wasted a lot of words. As for blaming individual players -- I don't really care to point fingers. I see too much puck fumbling from too many players to point fingers. I see too much fancy stick work. I see too much dumb/pretty hockey.

Finally, you know -- is it just the Rangers or is it a league wide thing now that you only bench players in the most extreme situations? I don't like it. I think Gallant needed to send some messages tonight by how he used or didn't use certain top 6 players. Instead he just changed the lines. I don't like it. Bench some dudes. Create some urgency.

The thing with the Bruins is that they can win with so many different styles of play. You create a flow chart for how a game has to play out for them to be victorious, and the amount of lines you have to draw is incredible. Our formula is way simpler and more limited. And in a 7 game series, a team can figure that out and put an end to it quickly.

There are too many types of games this team regularly loses. Too many styles of play they can’t compete with. Just way too one-dimensional. And they don’t have a coach able to think outside the box to counter whenever the other side seemingly has them figured out.