Post-Game Talk: ECQF Game 2: Rangers @ Capitals 5/4/13 - Lundqvists 0 - Capitals 1

[jniklast]

Absolutely mind-boggling, that there is serious talk about Lundqvist not being good enough in the playoffs after yesterday's game. Only in Rangerland...

He let in one softie in the first game, but was stellar otherwise. If you want to blame someone there's more than enough places to look.

Start with the PP. That lost us both games more or less. We had 3+ minutes of PP time including more than one minute 5-on-3 when game 1 was tied at 1. It failed. We had two powerplays late in the third and OT in game 2 and it failed.

Look at Rick Nash, our supposed offensive focal point who has vanished for most of the time. It's not even the playoffs, he was invisible in most games down the stretch when we were fighting for the playoffs. Hitting the post just ain't good enough.

The list goes on and on, Richard being back to his brutal self, our defensive not being at last year's level etc. and last but not least Torts and his complete lack of any idea for the offense whatsoever.

 

[Wolfy*]

Poor Lundqvist, he worked his butt off for no reason. He must be very tired of this team and coaching staff.

 

[Vickers8]

Enough with the Craps controlling the puck in our zone for 45 second intervals, we have to attack their mediocre defensive corps

 

[Thunderhead]

I don't think you guys are as bad as some are insinuating. Yes, you have some holes and key guys are injured (Staal, Clowe) but you got a horrible draw against an extremely potent Washington team. That was just not the matchup you wanted at this juncture.

I am sorry, but we are very bad. Look at the other playoffs games out there. Enough said.

 

[Blueshirt Special]

We absolutely could have won that game yesterday, but that doesn't change the fact that our style of play is painful to watch and is extremely unlikely to win a Cup.

Keeping the puck in the offensive zone for long periods of time is a great way to avoid being scored on no? so why don't we try that?

 

[blixt]

We absolutely could have won that game yesterday, but that doesn't change the fact that our style of play is painful to watch and is extremely unlikely to win a Cup.

Keeping the puck in the offensive zone for long periods of time is a great way to avoid being scored on no? so why don't we try that?

Because they are afraid to make mistakes in the offensive Zone. Kreider, Brassard and Zucc had their best games before Torts stareted to coach them.

 

[JohnC]

Fun fact I just learned: yesterday was Brayden Holtby's first career post-season shutout

 

[The Gloaming]

Fun fact I just learned: yesterday was Brayden Holtby's first career post-season shutout

And why would it not be?

Making scrub goalies look good since 1926.

 

[Hi ImHFNYR]

Some of you are hysterical. As if it's Torts' fault Stralman hit the cross bar and Nash hit the post. Either goes in and it's a tied series.

It's also about consistency. I've seen fans shrug off quite a few bad performances. But unless someone was under a rock we have all seen this such an inordinate amount of times that the only conclusion is something is very wrong with this team offensively and it's a very wise suspicion that it's this coaching staff which has admitted to not coaching offense and the PP...even if they DO coach it and they were just being abrasive to the media it's apparent they don't coach it well at all.

On top of that two bona fide stars fell off an absolute cliff this year and offensively Cally has lost a great deal this year as well. Sauer who was just an all star when it came to defensive zone play was lost, Boyle has continued to regress and every single D man except for MDZ regressed at least a little this year.

Yet Hank has continued to be the best in the world and so a bottom 5 team based on their performance continues to make the PO's. The absolute best thing for this team and organization would have been an injury that sidelined Hank for about 1/2 the season. Either the team would have come together or they'd have gone in the tank.

The first 10-20 games of the season is when you can play the "it's going to be better card" but at this point in the season fans are going to be very frustrated with garbage like what we saw last night and no one should blame us. When someone smacks you or spits in your face you don't thank them for it

 

[NickyMaz]

When I looking at it objectively the Rangers were seriously outplayed in both games. They had zero energy, zero passion. They played both games like regular season games with none of the extra drive you'd expect from a team in the post-season. The Caps are definitely the more dangerous team right now.

The offense has been non-existent, we spend way too much time trapped in our own zone. Richards looks like he's 90 years old out there. Nash looks timid for some reason. I don't for the life of me understand why no one parks in front of the net for rebound attempts. The defense has been overworked, given up odd-man rushes and handed the Caps several golden opportunities.

The power play has been, well, a NY Ranger power play. I dread seeing our power plays because the Cap's kill it and it swing the momentum totally in their favor and we spend the next 10 minutes defending.

Lundqvist has been the team's only saving grace, he's done an outstanding job these two games.

But, the Fan in me know there is hope. The Fan in me says we can still get this, all it takes is one win to swing the momentum, regain our confidence, win this series and send the Caps packing.

Also, I'd like to say just how much I hate the ****ing caps, I hate their team, I hate ovechkin, I hate the dumb gap in his team, I hate their idiot fans, I hate the airhorn, I hate the color red.

 

[I Eat Crow]

Slept on the game.

I wanted to throw a brick through my TV every time the PK collapsed each time a Caps pointman wound up for a shot. Guess what? It ended up losing us the game. Lundqvist was in God mode yesterday, you let him see the shot. For those bashing Hank for not being a playoff player, enjoy my ignore list.. And yes, that is a coaching issue. It has nothing to do with the players. Torts' inability to make adjustments is absolutely infuriating. It's been for his entire tenure here too. Starting to get the feeling that I wouldn't mind seeing Torts gone after yet another 1st round exit after expectations this season, and essentially giving him his handpicked roster.

I love Zucc, but he's a regular season player. His style of play is not conducive to scoring in the playoffs. He's essentially a waste of a top 6 spot out there. Meanwhile you have a kid named Krieder who lives for big games and playoff hockey. Play him and give him meaningful offensive minutes. The power play sucks, why not try something different.

Put Stralman on the damn point instead of Ghirardi.

More later. Still really pissed off.

 

[Tackaberry]

Offense: Get the puck behind the enemy net with all three forwards. Keep our D on the blue line.
Defense: Keep the puck behind our net until it's time to send it to the enemy D on the blue line.
In between: Stretch pass, tip in, dump in and switch to "offense"

 

[uccman39]

When I looking at it objectively the Rangers were seriously outplayed in both games. They had zero energy, zero passion. They played both games like regular season games with none of the extra drive you'd expect from a team in the post-season. The Caps are definitely the more dangerous team right now.

The offense has been non-existent, we spend way too much time trapped in our own zone. Richards looks like he's 90 years old out there. Nash looks timid for some reason. I don't for the life of me understand why no one parks in front of the net for rebound attempts. The defense has been overworked, given up odd-man rushes and handed the Caps several golden opportunities.

The power play has been, well, a NY Ranger power play. I dread seeing our power plays because the Cap's kill it and it swing the momentum totally in their favor and we spend the next 10 minutes defending.

Lundqvist has been the team's only saving grace, he's done an outstanding job these two games.

But, the Fan in me know there is hope. The Fan in me says we can still get this, all it takes is one win to swing the momentum, regain our confidence, win this series and send the Caps packing.

Also, I'd like to say just how much I hate the ****ing caps, I hate their team, I hate ovechkin, I hate the dumb gap in his team, I hate their idiot fans, I hate the airhorn, I hate the color red.

You said everything I've been thinking...just to add that I cannot believe over 2 games including an overtime how few real good chances this team has had to score. When have you ever heard of a team scoring one goal in two playoff games and no one even thinking "wow, that goalie is really standing on his head". The rangers don't look like they get any open shots ever. Look at the green goal in ot. When has a ranger at the point ever had room like that.

 

[NickyMaz]

You said everything I've been thinking...just to add that I cannot believe over 2 games including an overtime how few real good chances this team has had to score. When have you ever heard of a team scoring one goal in two playoff games and no one even thinking "wow, that goalie is really standing on his head". The rangers don't look like they get any open shots ever. Look at the green goal in ot. When has a ranger at the point ever had room like that.

Exactly, never in the two games were we really haven't made Hotlby work, while Hank has been pressured significantly throughout this series. Rangers have scored one flukey goal in 7 periods of play.

 

[Water1]

Move around on the power play
Stop standing around
Shoot the damn puck and get somebody in front of the net
You really can't score from behind the net

 

[Hi ImHFNYR]

When I looking at it objectively the Rangers were seriously outplayed in both games. They had zero energy, zero passion. They played both games like regular season games with none of the extra drive you'd expect from a team in the post-season. The Caps are definitely the more dangerous team right now.

The offense has been non-existent, we spend way too much time trapped in our own zone. Richards looks like he's 90 years old out there. Nash looks timid for some reason. I don't for the life of me understand why no one parks in front of the net for rebound attempts. The defense has been overworked, given up odd-man rushes and handed the Caps several golden opportunities.

The power play has been, well, a NY Ranger power play. I dread seeing our power plays because the Cap's kill it and it swing the momentum totally in their favor and we spend the next 10 minutes defending.

Lundqvist has been the team's only saving grace, he's done an outstanding job these two games.

But, the Fan in me know there is hope. The Fan in me says we can still get this, all it takes is one win to swing the momentum, regain our confidence, win this series and send the Caps packing.

Also, I'd like to say just how much I hate the ****ing caps, I hate their team, I hate ovechkin, I hate the dumb gap in his team, I hate their idiot fans, I hate the airhorn, I hate the color red.

I don't understand how there are people on here that I had to argue with because they insisted that we played well in game 2 and had all sorts of chances. What the hell did you and I watch compared to some of these other people? I think you said it though: objectivity. SOmepeople just lack the ability to put things in perspective and be objective. People do lack that for loved ones and sports teams. A lot of times they confuse objectivity for hating the team though and being "bad fan"

 

[Zucc36]

Because they are afraid to make mistakes in the offensive Zone. Kreider, Brassard and Zucc had their best games before Torts stareted to coach them.

This was probably Zucc´s worst game since his return. His first PO game on thursday was a good game and he booked almost 22 minutes. He just needs to relax more and play the game like it was a normal game. This is a mental issue for the whole team. Seems like even players like Richards and Nash are nervous on the ice.

Nash and Richie has been huge dissapointments in these series. The really need to step it up.

The series need to be tied after the two games at home, otherwise it is over.

The biggest problem with Tortorella is that he punishes players for mistakes. That´s why you get uncertain players on the ice afraid to make mistakes. I can just imagine what McD had to go through yesterday after his delay-penalty that decided the game......

 

[roxchipsi8]

And why would it not be?

Making scrub goalies look good since 1926.

its surprising because we went 7 games against him last year and im shocked he didnt get one then.

 

[I Am Chariot]

Old chinese proverb: Can't win if you can't score.

 

[Riverdale]

its surprising because we went 7 games against him last year and im shocked he didnt get one then.

Miracles do happen I guess.

We were close to being shut out in Game 6 ,if I remember correctly, but Gabby scored at the end of the 3rd.

 

[LittleKev6D9]

This team is just a lost cause. Our game plan plays right into the hands of the Capitals. If you give guys like Green, Ovechkin and Carlson time to shoot off the PP, they will do it.

Some people have mentioned that this team is playing scared. That is entirely on Torts facepalm. He always says people can't be afraid to make mistakes, but if they do make mistakes Torts facepalm will bench them. Obviously they are going to be playing scared if their playing time is in jeopardy.

Rangers dug themselves quite a hole, and both my head and heart say they can't dig themselves out.

 

[RangerLifer]

It's also about consistency. I've seen fans shrug off quite a few bad performances. But unless someone was under a rock we have all seen this such an inordinate amount of times that the only conclusion is something is very wrong with this team offensively and it's a very wise suspicion that it's this coaching staff which has admitted to not coaching offense and the PP...even if they DO coach it and they were just being abrasive to the media it's apparent they don't coach it well at all.

On top of that two bona fide stars fell off an absolute cliff this year and offensively Cally has lost a great deal this year as well. Sauer who was just an all star when it came to defensive zone play was lost, Boyle has continued to regress and every single D man except for MDZ regressed at least a little this year.

Yet Hank has continued to be the best in the world and so a bottom 5 team based on their performance continues to make the PO's. The absolute best thing for this team and organization would have been an injury that sidelined Hank for about 1/2 the season. Either the team would have come together or they'd have gone in the tank.

The first 10-20 games of the season is when you can play the "it's going to be better card" but at this point in the season fans are going to be very frustrated with garbage like what we saw last night and no one should blame us. When someone smacks you or spits in your face you don't thank them for it

Excellent post! This team doesn't deserve a goaltender as good as Henrik. I bet he asks for a trade in the not-too-distant future. And I wouldn't blame him one bit.

 

[*Bob Richards*]

I got into a fight with my Dad earlier over the state of our defense. Sorry, but I just don't think they're very good at all this year. It's extremely disheartening.

Last year, I went into games with the mentality that, "Okay, with our system and goalie, it will take 6 guys to **** up for the other team to score". Now it seems like its ALWAYS on Hank and it only takes an error in judgement by him.

If this team is a metaphorical boat, then its a wooden dingy and Hank's pulling the rope and the team throws him life rafts made of hand grenades.

 

[AlternateSideParking]

According to Brooks, Rangers have come back from 0-2 once in 86 years. That was the aforementioned 1996 Habs series.

Rangers in 86 years have never won a playoff series after losing first two games on road.

In 2007 they almost did.

I'd like to see Toronto-MTL in the CF. Great hockey IMO.

 

[Ail]

Just caught the Torts presser on MSG, lol.

Comical.