Post-Game Talk: flyers @ RANGERS

[aufheben]

Even if we look at least year as a career year, or an over-achievement, his play the previous season and a half should still have him in the 70-80 point range.

So even if Mika is "only" 70 percent of the player he was last year, that's a game changer for this club.

0.51 xGoals tonight, 0.37 xGoals last game, 0.43 xGoals against Boston...

I know he hasn’t been playing great, and I know expected goals aren’t exactly “science” but the poor guy couldn’t score in a f***ing soccer net right now lol.

 

[SnowblindNYR]

He definitely seems the type that when everything is going, he’s at he’s best and super confident. But working himself out of struggles seems to be tough for him.

This is really bad this season. He can barely accept a pass, keeps misplaying the puck, looks sluggish. He’s like 2013 lockout season Brad Richards but somehow worse.

He shouldn’t even have been out there though. He looked like shit all game, why have him out there when Buch, Kakko, Laf, Strome are all on the bench? Panarin can by that RH trigger man, you don’t need Zib out there. Prob want Kakko or Buch or Laf on the right side.

His poor play is honestly one of the top reasons for our team struggling. Not only is his lack of production killing us, but it also kills our PP, neutralizes Kreider, diminishes our matchup center, trickles down and affects quality of play our other lines face.

We would be right in the mix if he were even average. We were in all games but 3 and through 2 periods we were in all game but 1. His play this season is unprofessional. That's the best way I can describe it. Just amateur garbage. He should be f***ing embarrassed.

 

[gravey9]

Nope it’s just sink or swim honestly. It’s not just the NHL, it’s all of the sports. It hits and affects some people different.

This is true but because we don't know the long term effects of playing guys who are dealing with lingering symptoms, we are all playing with fire.

More importantly, when a guy is struggling like Mika is -- there needs to be extra care and attention given to make sure we aren't permanently damaging the person by forcing them to play through it. It effects everyone differently but the ones who get hit hard need more support.

 

[egelband]

Hajek slowly picking up his game. Perhaps not a lost cause?

Yeshhhhhh. He has been good. He is winning his battles. Which it really how it boils down. Physically winning those battles or just getting to the right place first. Winning more races that you lose.

 

[NYR]

Kreider looks absolutely terrible too. Just doing that thing where he skates and skates and can't handle a pass.

On the bright side, everyone complaining that Laffy isn't playing with offensive players is on a line with two of our leading scorers.

I'm sick of the Kreider nonsense already.
He only shows up when he's pissed off.
Waste of a roster spot.
I'd toss him on the 3rd permanently, where he belongs.

 

[Rempe73]

He definitely seems the type that when everything is going, he’s at he’s best and super confident. But working himself out of struggles seems to be tough for him.

This is really bad this season. He can barely accept a pass, keeps misplaying the puck, looks sluggish. He’s like 2013 lockout season Brad Richards but somehow worse.

He shouldn’t even have been out there though. He looked like shit all game, why have him out there when Buch, Kakko, Laf, Strome are all on the bench? Panarin can by that RH trigger man, you don’t need Zib out there. Prob want Kakko or Buch or Laf on the right side.

His poor play is honestly one of the top reasons for our team struggling. Not only is his lack of production killing us, but it also kills our PP, neutralizes Kreider, diminishes our matchup center, trickles down and affects quality of play our other lines face.

Well said, especially the last paragraph. I just wish we had some center depth so that Zibanejad can do the Kyrie Irving and take some time off.

 

[AKrangerfan]

Mika is clearly still affected by Covid. One of the long term symptoms is brain fog. I think that is what is going on, he can't process the game anymore.

Management did a really good job in shoring up the bottom six in the off season. I am pretty impressed by Blackwell, Rooney and even Bitetto. I had really low expectations so that might be part of it. PDG's game has slipped a bit over the last few games.

Laf needs to play in the OT. No question about it.

Libor is starting to look like he might be an NHL player.

Panarin Mika Buch
Laf Strome Kakko

If Mika can't get it together he needs to be on the third line.

 

[egelband]

To be fair, anytime you have JJ in your lineup, its an automatic handicap.

I hate to say it but he makes so many mistakes/shift. It’s indeed a huge disadvantage. A pain-free shift is a Win.

 

[SnowblindNYR]

0.51 xGoals tonight, 0.37 xGoals last game, 0.43 xGoals against Boston...

I know he hasn’t been playing great, and I know expected goals aren’t exactly “science” but the poor guy couldn’t score in a f***ing soccer net right now lol.

But this isn't an act of God, the Boston game he was robbed a couple of times, I'll give him that. But otherwise even when he's getting chances he's not converting because he's in his own head right now. He's a head case.

 

[bl02]

Yeshhhhhh. He has been good. He is winning his battles. Which it really how it boils down. Physically winning those battles or just getting to the right place first. Winning more races that you lose.

And yet he probably comes out when Miller is ready

 

[egelband]

Mika is clearly still affected by Covid. One of the long term symptoms is brain fog. I think that is what is going on, he can't process the game anymore.

Management did a really good job in shoring up the bottom six in the off season. I am pretty impressed by Blackwell, Rooney and even Bitetto. I had really low expectations so that might be part of it. PDG's game has slipped a bit over the last few games.

Laf needs to play in the OT. No question about it.

Libor is starting to look like he might be an NHL player.

Panarin Mika Buch
Laf Strome Kakko

If Mika can't get it together he needs to be on the third line.

Yes. Good point. Though it affects everyone differently. We’d need to have his feedback on this but definitely a possibility. Something is ‘off’. All the bad timing. Missed shots. Broken sticks. Bad passed. Flubs. I’m hoping things improve, anyhow. He’s so talented.

 

[Rempe73]

I agree, this isn't just a slump. He is having trouble making and receiving passes, staying on his feet, and he's seemingly lost/dropped his stick an inordinate amount of times.


It's concerning.

I’m struggling to find answers. Maybe Covid? I don’t know. It’s been a while since he’s had it, right? I mean, what other explanation could there be? Someone on pace for over 50 goals in an 82-game season should not forget how to play hockey the following season.

 

[EdJovanovski]

 

[egelband]

And yet he probably comes out when Miller is ready

Please please please don’t play JJ over Libor.

 

[Embryo]

Panarin is just amazing. We are blessed to have him. He is by far the biggest difference maker on the team.

 

[SnowblindNYR]

Yes. Good point. Though it affects everyone differently. We’d need to have his feedback on this but definitely a possibility. Something is ‘off’. All the bad timing. Missed shots. Broken sticks. Bad passed. Flubs. I’m hoping things improve, anyhow. He’s so talented.

If it is that, props to him for not using it as an excuse but we really won't know. Maybe that info will at some point get to a reporter.

 

[zlev]

lol Kakko's interview reminds me of Kimi Raikkonen

as far as Zibanejad, he really looks awful. hopefully he's just injured, I just hope it isn't something real bad like substance abuse. the way he's weak, slow and uncoordinated is really concerning though.

 

[DelZottoHitTheNetJK]

I just watched a bunch of guys slap a puck all over the ice for 2.5 hours. Screw COVID man seriously. What trash hockey. Did either team make one clean breakout pass?

 

[SnowblindNYR]

Panarin is just amazing. We are blessed to have him. He is by far the biggest difference maker on the team.

He's like this team's Florida Bure. Doing it all himself.

I just did the research. He has 16 points on 33 goals when he's played.

 

[egelband]

If it is that, props to him for not using it as an excuse but we really won't know. Maybe that info will at some point get to a reporter.

Was thinking that too. If he really is ‘off’ then props to him for being a replacement level player with that dragging him down.

 

[egelband]

Whoever posted this gif perfectly encapsulates my feelings on this win.

View attachment 397831

Today we got an “Arvind Win”.

 

[NYR]

This kid is adjusting/ adapting to anything that comes his way.
If they don't play like a team, he takes it upon himself to carry the load.
I am super impressed with this kid at such a young age.
He's going to be a really special player.
No doubt in my mind..

 

[Embryo]

I just watched a bunch of guys slap a puck all over the ice for 2.5 hours. Screw COVID man seriously. What trash hockey. Did either team make one clean breakout pass?

lol you better get comfortable, we're not gonna be out of the woods until 2022 with this bullshit, and I mean COVID, not the Rangers.

 

[Cmox]

Tell em. Kakko Bell

 

[rdhstlr23]

Mika is clearly still affected by Covid. One of the long term symptoms is brain fog. I think that is what is going on, he can't process the game anymore.

Management did a really good job in shoring up the bottom six in the off season. I am pretty impressed by Blackwell, Rooney and even Bitetto. I had really low expectations so that might be part of it. PDG's game has slipped a bit over the last few games.

Laf needs to play in the OT. No question about it.

Libor is starting to look like he might be an NHL player.

Panarin Mika Buch
Laf Strome Kakko

If Mika can't get it together he needs to be on the third line.

Buch shouldn’t be on the 1st line.

While he’s better served there because of the age of, hopefully, eventual replacements, I think the young guys should get a crack. Buchnevich has been solid, but the season is lost. You e got to kickstart the young guys and see if they can start producing.

Panarin-Strome-Kakko
Blackwell-Mika-LaFreniere
Kreider-Rooney-Buchnevich
Gauthier-Howden-DiGuiseppe