GDT: Game 2 (ECQF) - New York Rangers @ New Jersey Devils, 7:30pm EST, MSG, TBS (NYR Lead 1-0)

[will1066]

After his appearance choices the past two nights, I want Slewbban dressed as Koko B. Ware tonight in the ESPN studio, live parrot on his shoulder.

 

[duhmetreE]

spidey sense is still not going off.

I expect a bigger push from the swamp rats to start.... score another early goal to crush their hopes and dreams.

Kids line scores in it's first few shifts or Tob deletes his account

 

[Black Tank]

Get the puck deep every time. Be very careful with the puck at the Debs blueline. Make them skate the length of the ice, make them have to physically skirmish for every loose puck. These are all things the Rangers can do without breaking their own system. If they do that, the Debs even with all their crying and cheapy PPs will have to earn the win rather than free skate to a good record like they did in the regular season.

 

[MyLoveIsBlue]

Fox is ready.......

 

[Siddi]

I think the Rangers PP is in their heads. Debbies no doubt have been hearing that they need to stay out of the box after last game and that will lead them to play scared.

I expect even softer Debbies tonight.

 

[kovazub94]

Going back to MSG up 2-0 is a hell of a lot better than tied 1-1.

That is how important this game is. Experience needs to win out here. Take control of this one and absolutely dominate.

Don’t let Jack Hughes run around with impunity. He needs to be neutralized. Hit and punish him early and often.

The Devils understand what they did wrong in Game 1 and we will need to be that much better to not be complacent knowing we’re up one and heading back to MSG regardless of the outcome.

FOOT TO THE f***ING THROAT. NO MERCY.

LETS f***ING GO.

In the context of determining the winner of the series I don't think 2-0 or 1-1 coming home is that critical but it is very important in making the series shorter and saving energy for down the road.

We all know what the Rangers will need to do - basically carbon copy what they did in game one. NJD were clearly affected by the situation, nerves etc. They obviously will come out with a harder push but we will see if they were got over and were able to leave the nerves behind and moved on or will they put even more pressure on themselves with going down 0-2 possibility in mind and start making unforced mistakes for the Rangers to take advantage.

 

[LOFIN]

 

[yrrebbor]

I wasn't expecting much going in to game 1, but now my hopes are up.

 

[FultonReed]

After his appearance choices the past two nights, I want Slewbban dressed as Koko B. Ware tonight in the ESPN studio, live parrot on his shoulder.

get Messier a mullet wig and some hedge clippers while you're at it

 

[EdJovanovski]

View attachment 692610

Honestly friendliest city I’ve ever been to and I’m quite well travelled lol. Although I’m sure the Southern US is much friendlier, but I’ve never been.

 

[will1066]

get Messier a mullet wig and some hedge clippers while you're at it

lol

CUT THE ARROGANCE!

 

[Filip Chytil]

Feeling a delivery of hot fresh bread today

In the heat of battle on the ice,
The Rangers looked to Artemi for advice,
With his stick in hand and his eyes alight,
He skated past defenders with all his might.

He weaved and dodged with a finesse so rare,
His talent and skill beyond compare,
And when he shot, the puck flew like a rocket,
Scoring goals so sweet, like candy from a pocket.

But Artemi had more than just his stick,
He had a secret weapon, and it was quick,
A ton of hot bread, freshly baked,
To fuel his teammates and keep them awake.

With every pass, he served a slice,
Of bread so hot, it was paradise,
And with every goal, he brought more,
Until his teammates begged him for more.

The crowd roared as the Rangers dominated,
And Artemi's bread kept them motivated,
Their bellies full and their spirits high,
They fought hard until the game's final sigh.

In the end, the Rangers emerged victorious,
Thanks to Artemi's talent and his bread so glorious,
And as they celebrated with joy and glee,
They knew their hero had led them to victory.

 

[BleedBlueNYR]

Let's put them up against the ropes going back to MSG. This is a huge game.

 

[The Crypto Guy]

Do we ever take a 2 game lead in a series? No.

Fully expect a letdown tonight but hoping for the best.

 

[bleedblue94]

Gallant is crazy in game, but he is VERY good with the media, very good. He knows what he is doing. He wont give the other team anything to feed off of, he supports and buffers his players, and he will every so often turn a screw on them. I tend to think his handling of the media is one of his top traits as the coach of this team in ny

 

[Hire Sather]

Do we ever take a 2 game lead in a series? No.

Fully expect a letdown tonight but hoping for the best.

When we do, we lose.

Well, once.

 

[HockeyBasedNYC]

The things the Devils need to do better are the things that require physicality. They lack that for the most part and have lacked it all year. They need to grind, they're fast, but if we play positionally sound and take away the rebounds/front of the net that speed is not enough to win a series with us. We need to avoid chasing them, and know when to engage. And we did that well in game one, so we CAN do that. They'll just be buzzing around the perimiter taking shots Igor has a great chance on. They aren't big or strong enough to win pucks in that net front territory if we are committed to it ourselves. And they need to win board battles too. Can they? Has not been a NJD forte this season. They've used the space afforded in the regular season to get to pucks before they have to battle. They probably SHOULD dress Smith for that reason in their own zone, but he has other issues. If NYR play their game, the way they did the other night, which they can actually even IMPROVE upon, there's no reason they shouldn't take this series. Maybe as few as five games.
Then there is goaltending. Are they going to consider going with Blackwood? Mistake IMO. And Vanaceck is not in Igor's class. Igor is a goalie that causes you to try to be too perfect. That means more missing the net. The Devils need to throw it at the net and then GET to the rebound. Can they with any consistency? Not if we play our game.
Hey, ANYTHING can happen in a single game, but over the rest of this 7 game series I'm confident in the NYRs. I think BOTH teams will elevate their game for this one, but NJD need to elevate it a LOT more than NYR do.
This all goes back to the fact that the NJD have NOT played a style of hockey that can normally be successful in the Playoffs, they really don't seem built for it, and they are NOT that special. We need to keep wearing them down and frustrating them, that will be key.

This is a big game in that regard.

If the Rangers allow the Devils to play their game, their confidence grows and they realize they can take what they did in the regular season and apply it to the playoffs. That puts the Rangers on their heels.

The idea all along from the Rangers POV is to make this series a different game of hockey. Whatever that means, tighter checking, more checking, less room, experience factor, toughness, scrums, shot blocking, fighting for ice on the walls, etc.

Then you get the Devils questioning if they can play a playoff style game. You get them thinking instead of playing loose. And with so much young skilled talent, thats exactly what you want going against such a dangerous offense.

The Rangers can play that game. They can frustrate a team like the Devils defensively, and when all else fails they have Igor to back them up. But you can only rely on him so much. The Devils missed a lot of nets in Game 1. Theyll be bearing down tonight.

 

[Fitzy]

Since the lockout we've been to the playoffs 12 times (of a possible 17) and won 13 total series.

In that time, we've had a 2-0 series lead exactly 3 times. Atlanta in 2007, Devils in 2008, and Tampa Bay in 2022. We kind of have developed a reputation as a franchise that digs a hole and tries to come from behind in a series. Several incidences of overcoming 3-1 and 2-0 deficits.

 

[HockeyBasedNYC]

I think the Rangers PP is in their heads. Debbies no doubt have been hearing that they need to stay out of the box after last game and that will lead them to play scared.

I expect even softer Debbies tonight.

This is another big factor.

If they can draw some PP's go right back to the well tonight with Kreider in front.

Its kinda odd we didnt see a ton of those looks throughout the season after Kreiders automatic PP production last year. Couldnt be a better time to start that shit up again.

If they adjust and overcompensate to that, well, move things around and put Mika back into the blast zone. Then revert. They have options.

The Devils had a very effective PK this year so its definitely something they are focusing on. Special teams could again be the difference.

 

[cheech70]

Get the puck deep every time. Be very careful with the puck at the Debs blueline. Make them skate the length of the ice, make them have to physically skirmish for every loose puck. These are all things the Rangers can do without breaking their own system. If they do that, the Debs even with all their crying and cheapy PPs will have to earn the win rather than free skate to a good record like they did in the regular season.

During game 1 the forwards on the retreat to play defense... stopped in a row at center ice and waited for the debbies to rush the puck...it made it difficult to carry the puck into the zone and it worked like a charm...when there isn't a fore check wait in the neutral zone off the boards. Force the Debbies to move along the wall instead of middle of the ice. It mitigates there speed.

Do we ever take a 2 game lead in a series? No.

Fully expect a letdown tonight but hoping for the best.

Ummmm.....ECF 2022...and a 2-0 lead in game 3...when I kept shouting......... SWEEP

 

[New York RKY]

F*** the devils.

 

[Daves a mess]

Jack Hughes can't figure skate through the zones untapped. He needs to be touched on every shift tonight.

 

[17futurecap]

Since the lockout we've been to the playoffs 12 times (of a possible 17) and won 13 total series.

In that time, we've had a 2-0 series lead exactly 3 times. Atlanta in 2007, Devils in 2008, and Tampa Bay in 2022. We kind of have developed a reputation as a franchise that digs a hole and tries to come from behind in a series. Several incidences of overcoming 3-1 and 2-0 deficits.

Montreal in 2014 too.

 

[broadwayblue]

Do we ever take a 2 game lead in a series? No.

Fully expect a letdown tonight but hoping for the best.

Yes, the bar is low. If only we could play like it's game 7 in a game 2. Sure would be nice coming home up 2, but you have to figure NJ is going to come out skating tonight. Stay out of the box and maybe we find a way to get the W.

 

[9darter]

LGR!