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

[duhmetreE]

He should draw in for Reaves when hes ready to go. I don't know why this is a discussion.

We both know it's not happening.

Turk loves Reaves. Reaves is the Alpha presence this team needs in the locker room.

It only changes if we're down 2 games again or someone gets hurt.

 

[GoAwayPanarin]

We both know it's not happening.

Turk loves Reaves. Reaves is the Alpha presence this team needs in the locker room.

I think it has more to do with Blais not being ready.

When he is, I expect that to be the direction they go in. He already sat a favorite in Rooney.

 

[bl02]

I know some are disappointed with Vatrano but he has put up decent numbers against TB last few years and is familiar playing against them (8 points in 12 games over last two regular seasons and most games getting around 10 min ice time or less)

 

[savebyrichter94]

Pretty obvious listening to various podcasts, interviews etc that a lot of these pundits haven’t watched us play much and a lot of our guys are starting to get attention/appreciation now on the bigger stage as the spotlight shines brighter

 

[romba]

I'm not sure Blais really needs to be inserted cold back into the lineup.

4 points in 14 games, I think people are falling in love with the idea of a hard nosed middle 6er who can score like Vatrano can, and would be an all-around upgrade, but I don't think Blais is actually anywhere close to that good, especially not being in game shape most likely.

He showed nice hands and vision and an ability to take the puck to the net from anywhere in the O zone using his hands, awareness, and strength. Biggest weaknesses were defensive zone play and forcing plays leading to turnovers in very bad areas (blue lines). The occasional sexy smooth move beating a D and taking it to the net were so enticing and folks remember those more than the cringe turnovers (which he was getting better at avoiding before the injury I believe). He would be perfect with Motte and Goodrow, who are solid in the D zone, on the 4th line with weaker matchups.

Blais in, Kakko out, Reaves on the kid line

 

[will1066]

I think it has more to do with Blais not being ready.

When he is, I expect that to be the direction they go in. He already sat a favorite in Rooney.

Blais will definitely raise our offsides/60. And with how Toronto is calling offsides, no thank you right now. Blais is an offsides machine. And with his timing being questionable after a long layoff, expecially no thank you.

 

[duhmetreE]

He showed nice hands and vision and an ability to take the puck to the net from anywhere in the O zone using his hands, awareness, and strength. Biggest weaknesses were defensive zone play and forcing plays leading to turnovers in very bad areas (blue lines). The occasional sexy smooth move beating a D and taking it to the net were so enticing and folks remember those more than the cringe turnovers (which he was getting better at avoiding before the injury I believe). He would be perfect with Motte and Goodrow, who are solid in the D zone, on the 4th line with weaker matchups.

 

[Machinehead]

Blais will definitely raise our offsides/60. And with how Toronto is calling offsides, no thank you right now. Blais is an offsides machine. And with his timing being questionable after a long layoff, expecially no thank you.

Blais is only offside more than Reaves because Reaves is literally so slow that he can't beat the puck carrier into the zone.

 

[GoAwayPanarin]

I know some are disappointed with Vatrano but he has put up decent numbers against TB last few years and is familiar playing against them (8 points in 12 games over last two regular seasons and most games getting around 10 min ice time or less)

Vatrano has been exactly what I expected. Invisible to poor 60% of the time but then has a game or sequence that flips the tide in your favor. He back checks like a f***ing demon too.

Of the list of players who have been disappointing, I don't think he'd be on it. The only guys who I've been disappointed with are Panarin, Trouba, Strome and the Rooney/Reaves combo (more so that they played or are still playing.) Kreider sort of too but hes at least shown up when they're pressed against the wall.

 

[Rangerfan4life90]

Vatrano has been exactly what I expected. Invisible to poor 60% of the time but then has a game or sequence that flips the tide in your favor. He back checks like a f***ing demon too.

Of the list of players who have been disappointing, I don't think he'd be on it. The only guys who I've been disappointed with are Panarin, Trouba, Strome and the Rooney/Reaves combo (more so that they played or are still playing.) Kreider sort of too but hes at least shown up when they're pressed against the wall.

I'd put Trouba 50-50, his crushing legal hits have changed the course of some games, but his penalities and slowness on the PP have been brutal.

 

[Raspewtin]

Vatrano is misplaced on the first line. For the most part he's been invisible to bad, but it's not really his fault. He always works hard and tries, he's just not a first liner and he's getting those minutes. Though I think he was good in games 6 and 7 against Carolina. Lowkey, passing it off to Copp after curling back instead of dumping it or waiting made that goal happen.

 

[NYRKindms]

Something to consider RE: Reaves. Tampa is a little slower, which means Reaves will be a little more effective laying the body

 

[zlev]

if Blais comes back I would go
Laf-Chytil-Blais
Motte-Goodrow-Kakko as a shutdown line

 

[JimmyG89]

Something to consider RE: Reaves. Tampa is a little slower, which means Reaves will be a little more effective laying the body

I also think this is better for Panarin as well. Their right side on defense isn't a bastion of amazing skaters. Pitt and Carolina have guys that can keep up. Pesce and DeAngelo can skate. Letang and Marino could skate. Cernak is probably their best skater on the right side. Bogosian and Rutta are slugs. Foote is young and has been sheltered.

If there was ever a time for Panarin to bust out, this series could be it.

 

[nyrage]

Once more unto the breach, dear friends, once more. We will win this series. Reaves is our Henry V. Just keep him off the ice for too long.

 

[mas0764]

Blais in, Kakko out, Reaves on the kid line

Nope.

 

[will1066]

Maroon hanging on for dear life.

 

[ReleasO The KakkO]

Pretty obvious listening to various podcasts, interviews etc that a lot of these pundits haven’t watched us play much and a lot of our guys are starting to get attention/appreciation now on the bigger stage as the spotlight shines brighter

What category of pundit does Bisondouche fall under?

 

[Brief Candle]

I've seen this sentiment from a few people, and I think it's a bit crazy to be honest. Just because Tampa and the Rangers might be better defensively doesn't mean either team can stop Colorado or Edmonton. Calgary was one of the best defensive teams in the league and got dismantled by Edmonton. The Crosby line broke us down as well.

I'm not saying we can't beat either team (or that Tampa can't), but it's going to be really hard.

I think we'd have a much easier time against the oilers or the avs than anyone in the east. Don't mistake what I say for assuming that it's an easy job, I just think we have the tools to handle that kind of game. We've got guys that can counterattack. My gut says there'd be a lot of 2 on 1's against teams in the west. They go all in offensively. They don't play "heavy" hockey. We may not be the heavyweights of the NHL, but we can throw bodies.

 

[savebyrichter94]

What category of pundit does Bisondouche fall under?

Fugazi

 

[lilphildub]

I don’t think people remember how frustrating Blais was to watch. Was snakebitten and struggled to score. Was lost in the D zone. If he wasn’t hitting hard, he wasn’t accomplishing much. I wouldn’t replace anyone in the lineup except maybe Reaves. But I don’t think Gallant would do that. He’s good to keep on the sidelines in case someone gets hurt. Beyond that, wait until next year.

 

[cheech70]

Steven Stamkos -- Anthony Cirelli -- Nikita Kucherov

Ondrej Palat -- Nicholas Paul -- Alex Killorn

Brandon Hagel -- Ross Colton -- Corey Perry

Pat Maroon -- Pierre-Edouard Bellemare

Without Gourde(expansion) and Point(injury) the middle looks a bit weak. They are good with there team defense but 5x5 talent wise we should matchup with them. There system is not as tight as the Canes and they are slower than the past 2 opponents in these playoffs. We should get way more chances than in the Cane series.

 

[mti79]

 

[Breaded Fox]

When the Speed limit goes up to 10? WTF does that even me? lol

 

[Fitzy]

Regardless of what you thought of Raanta or Domingue, there's no doubt this is a huge step up in terms of the goalie we are facing.

What that means is that if both Shesty and Vasi play the way they typically do during this season, NYR are gonna have to outplay and outchance Tampa to win the series. Moreso than against really any other opponent.