GDT: ECF - Game 1 - New York Rangers vs Tampa Bay Lightning - 8pm EST, ESPN - Series (0-0)

[Rempe73]

UNREAL that we’re here already. Final four?? Wtf? I still can’t stop watching those Game 7 highlights against Carolina

 

[duhmetreE]

I honestly don't know how to feel.

I'm indifferent at the moment. Do not know what to expect.

It doesn't feel like there's a Game 1 of the ECF at MSG tonight. Weird feeling.

 

[McRanger92]

I think the lineup isn't changed unless we get desperate

Eh idk. Rooney was relied upon heavily by Gallant with Goodrow injured, but he came right out when Barclay was ready. Nemeth was also disposed of quickly for Braun. The coaching staff wont hesitate to put the best team out there imo.

 

[Jackson Ranger]

Lindgren being rebuilt as we speak

Most of you are too young to know this but it reminds me of the $6 million man...we can rebuild him. I don't know how this guy keeps coming back and playing!!! Freaking warrior!!!!

 

[Lindberg Cheese]

I’m sure this game is great and all but everyone is missing the big picture - Do we sign Vierling?

 

[bhamill]

Am I the only one who reads McRanger's posts in Uncle Junior's voice?

You are not alone.

 

[will1066]

Most of you are too young to know this but it reminds me of the $6 million man...we can rebuild him. I don't know how this guy keeps coming back and playing!!! Freaking warrior!!!!

I heard his significant other is bionic.

 

[JimmyG89]

It was a beautiful feeling this morning waking up, getting ready for work, and at the end grabbing my jersey to take with me.

Just like Game 1 against Pittsburgh, this one has me excited. They've really won 8 playoff games and are 8 away from do something I never expected as possible this year.

On top of all of that, the Eastern Conference Final the last two years was painful to spectate and last year was a lot of agita by the end, especially once Montreal won against Vegas. If the Rangers win this series, after what has happened the last two years in this exact round, Cloud 9 won't be enough to represent how I feel.

 

[Lays]

Really hoping we can get Sammy Blais back in the lineup early in this series. We could really use his size and physical play with Tampa's size on D. I would personally put him in for Vatrano, who is a smaller skilled guy who hasnt popped as much with the checking getting tighter. The only other options are Reaves or Kakko, and again, you want as much size as possible against this Tampa team.

Kreider-Zibanejad-Vatrano
Panarin-Strome-Copp
Lafreniere-Chytil-Blais
Motte-Goodrow-Reaves

Extras: Kakko, Rooney, Hunt, Gauthier, Brodzinski

(Same defense)

Lindgren-Fox
Miller-Trouba
Braun-Schneider

Extras: Nemeth, Hajek

Shesterkin
Georgiev

Blais and Lafreniere had chemistry before Blais went down. Stack that 4th line with a combination of puck possession, forechecking, and physicality.

 

[duhmetreE]

Kreider-Zibanejad-Vatrano
Panarin-Strome-Copp
Lafreniere-Chytil-Blais
Kakko-Goodrow-Reaves

Extras: Rooney, Hunt, Gauthier, Brodzinski

(Same defense)

Lindgren-Fox
Miller-Trouba
Braun-Schneider

Extras: Nemeth, Hajek

Shesterkin
Georgiev

Blais and Lafreniere had chemistry before Blais went down. Stack that 4th line with a combination of puck possession, forechecking, and physicality

What's a Motte with you?

 

[Lays]

What's a Motte with you?

Shit haha I forgot about him. Will update in a second, hard to displace anyone but probably swap him in for Kakko

 

[Clark Kellogg]

View from the other side of the street. Ryan McDonagh, Alex Killorn, Coach Jon Cooper, G.M. Julien Brissebois, Steven Stamkos and Victor Hedman.

 

[McRanger92]

Kreider-Zibanejad-Vatrano
Panarin-Strome-Copp
Lafreniere-Chytil-Blais
Motte-Goodrow-Reaves

Extras: Kakko, Rooney, Hunt, Gauthier, Brodzinski

(Same defense)

Lindgren-Fox
Miller-Trouba
Braun-Schneider

Extras: Nemeth, Hajek

Shesterkin
Georgiev

Blais and Lafreniere had chemistry before Blais went down. Stack that 4th line with a combination of puck possession, forechecking, and physicality.

Cant take Kakko out with how the Kid Line has performed throughout the playoffs. And Reaves size and physicality is needed against a Tampa team that will take liberties if you don't have an answer. Vatrano to me is the clear odd man out. Hasnt done enough on that top line.

 

[IDvsEGO]

Kreider-Zibanejad-Vatrano
Panarin-Strome-Copp
Lafreniere-Chytil-Blais
Motte-Goodrow-Reaves

Extras: Kakko, Rooney, Hunt, Gauthier, Brodzinski

(Same defense)

Lindgren-Fox
Miller-Trouba
Braun-Schneider

Extras: Nemeth, Hajek

Shesterkin
Georgiev

Blais and Lafreniere had chemistry before Blais went down. Stack that 4th line with a combination of puck possession, forechecking, and physicality.

Every time they mess with removing Kakko from the kids line ends up making them less effective.

 

[GENESISPuck94]

Let's move Laf for Ryder, Halak, and a 2nd.

Nah, Jonathan Cheechoo for the win.

 

[will1066]

View from the other side of the street. Ryan McDonagh, Alex Killorn, Coach Jon Cooper, G.M. Julien Brissebois, Steven Stamkos and Victor Hedman.

f*** ALEX KILLORN

 

[duhmetreE]

Blais hasn't even practiced in a contact jersey.

There' steps to this. He's coming off of a massive knee ligament injury. If it was a Broken Bone, I could see him coming back. Ligaments is not something you mess with. He'd have to slowly build up to it IMO

 

[bigdog16]

Every time they mess with removing Kakko from the kids line ends up making them less effective.

I do agree with this. But if for some reason we see ourselves down 2-0 after the first two games, and Blais is available, I would 100% swap him in for Kakko.

 

[Lays]

Cant take Kakko out with how the Kid Line has performed throughout the playoffs. And Reaves size and physicality is needed against a Tampa team that will take liberties if you don't have an answer. Vatrano to me is the clear odd man out. Hasnt done enough on that top line.

I’d rather play Vatrano on the kids line then

 

[TJHKY]

 

[Leonardo87]

Tampa fan bringing up cheating because of a picture in the GDT . I find that pretty funny. Lol.

 

[will1066]

Tampa fan bringing up cheating because of a picture in the GDT . I find that pretty funny. Lol.

What?

 

[duhmetreE]

Tampa fan bringing up cheating because of a picture in the GDT . I find that pretty funny. Lol.

Tampa are the CCCC's.

Covid Cap Circumventing Champions.

 

[Brief Candle]

Every time they mess with removing Kakko from the kids line ends up making them less effective.

Agreed. He's been cycling and creating chances really well. He's been excellent along the boards. I wouldn't sit him. If anything, sit Reavo for Blais.

I really can't believe we've made it this far, honestly. The boys worked their asses off. Watching the Oilers v. Avs game last night, one of the guys brought up a really good point: What are either of those teams going to do against really defensively sound teams like us or Tampa. Mark my words, whomever comes out of this series, provided they aren't too banged up, wins the cup imo. We have a REAL shot here. The best part? With the exception of a couple of guys who are older or moveable, our young core has the chance to be around for at least ten years. That's a loooooooot of time to build towards cup runs.

So I say revel in this. To me, everything at this point is just gravy.

 

[Glen Sathers Cigar]

Really really need to come out with jump and score early. Don't give any time for Vasy to get in our heads, hopefully they will be a bit rusty and we can can get on top of them. Definitely don't want a slow feeling out period because that's what Tampa will want and then jump on us later when our tired legs come out.

Really need to win this one.