Post-Game Talk: Game # 31 Rangers vs Buffalo - 7pm EST - MSG

[Unpredictable1]

Laf got a shot on goal last night from a bad angle that looked like a laserbeam and caught the goalie by surprise. I really do think he should try to snipe a few or just shoot to create some rebounds.

In some ways, I think he may be trying too hard to emulate Panarin with the cross ice passes. He doesn't have the skill to slow the game down like that yet. Eventually he might, but he should not play with expectation that he can at this stage. It's a rare sort of thing. Laf just doesn't create that sort of open ice for himself yet.

I agree with those in general who said Laf looked better last night though. He didn't string together multiple good shifts in a row or anything, but there were 1 or 2 flashes of brilliance here or there. I think he just needs to think less and feel more.

He's going to be really great though. It's going to come. He is an elite passer and puck handler. He's got that incredible shot. It's just about knowing which of his tools to use at the right times in this league. It all happens much faster than he's accustomed to.

Actually is that one where he either hit the knob of Tokarski's stick or just missed high blocker side? (Laf was coming down the left wing and was a ways out) That was an absolute laser for sure, he needs to rifle off a shot more often, Dustin was definitely caught off guard there - as was I.

 

[RangerLifer]

I can't go back and check but here is pinky in case anyone before me didn't post it.

 

[ohbaby]

Imo he wasn’t getting rewarded because he wasn’t driving or going to the net like he did tonight.

Maybe not, but he has been working hard to be defensively sound. He's hardly ever out of position anymore, much better with his stick breaking up plays, skating hard to backcheck, etc.. Not surprising the coaches like his progression and reward him by giving him more icetime. He double shifted for Lemiuex when he was in the doghouse. Not Zibad or Panarin, but him.

Sometimes scoring is the last thing youngsters need to work on.

 

[CasusBelli]

Maybe not, but he has been working hard to be defensively sound. He's hardly ever out of position anymore, much better with his stick breaking up plays, skating hard to backcheck, etc.. Not surprising the coaches like his progression and reward him by giving him more icetime. He double shifted for Lemiuex when he was in the doghouse. Not Zibad or Panarin, but him.

Sometimes scoring is the last thing youngsters need to work on.

His work away from the puck has been simply aces this year. I can’t help but think that Martin had something to do with it. Keep in mind Martin developed some solid two-way forwards in Fisher, Bonk and Vermette as well — not just Hossa.

 

[aufheben]

Laf got a shot on goal last night from a bad angle that looked like a laserbeam and caught the goalie by surprise. I really do think he should try to snipe a few or just shoot to create some rebounds.

In some ways, I think he may be trying too hard to emulate Panarin with the cross ice passes. He doesn't have the skill to slow the game down like that yet. Eventually he might, but he should not play with expectation that he can at this stage. It's a rare sort of thing. Laf just doesn't create that sort of open ice for himself yet.

I agree with those in general who said Laf looked better last night though. He didn't string together multiple good shifts in a row or anything, but there were 1 or 2 flashes of brilliance here or there. I think he just needs to think less and feel more.

He's going to be really great though. It's going to come. He is an elite passer and puck handler. He's got that incredible shot. It's just about knowing which of his tools to use at the right times in this league. It all happens much faster than he's accustomed to.

He’ll start shooting more and better next year like Kakko did:

2019-20

2020-21

 

[Machinehead]

Coming in hot...

Hajek's game is better than Miller's right now.

He was skating well last night and joining the offense, as he has had in recent games, kind of weaving in and out like Fox in the o-zone.

Hajek is one of the best examples ever of a player who passes the eye test because it's impossible to make a mistake while you're dead and the other team is pissing on your headstone.

 

[Fitzy]

Hajek is playing the most sheltered ten minutes a game on the third pairing.

Even guys like Stu Bickel and Jason Strudwick could do that.

I’m not ripping on the kid but we will know we have a good third pairing when we no longer need to ride Fox Miller and Trouba for 26 minutes each a game.

Robertson and Lundkvist, send up the bat signal

 

[Machinehead]

Hajek is playing the most sheltered ten minutes a game on the third pairing.

Even guys like Stu Bickel and Jason Strudwick could do that.

I’m not ripping on the kid but we will know we have a good third pairing when we no longer need to ride Fox Miller and Trouba for 26 minutes each a game.

Robertson and Lundkvist, send up the bat signal

That shit I just posted is in some of the most sheltered minutes in the league?

Pass the Pepto Bismol.

 

[Shesterkybomb]

Man this place is negative. Hajek doing everything asked of him and people still ripping him lol

 

[Irishguy42]

Hajek is doing everything asked of him? Unless he was asked to be bad and be caved in every night, I don't think he's doing everything asked of him.

 

[LORDE]

No poll??? What happened... FFS we even have polls for losses!!!!

I don't even know you people anymore

 

[Irishguy42]

No poll??? What happened... FFS we even have polls for losses!!!!

I don't even know you people anymore

Just put in Adam Fox for all three stars. It's easier that way.

 

[Machinehead]

No poll??? What happened... FFS we even have polls for losses!!!!

I don't even know you people anymore

It's a sad state of affairs. Sam Rosen wept a single tear.

 

[Irishguy42]

It's a sad state of affairs. Sam Rosen wept a single tear.

Less three stars. MORE CONSUME.

 

[Machinehead]

Less three stars. MORE CONSUME.

KAAPO KAKKO!

 

[DanielBrassard]

Hajek is one of the best examples ever of a player who passes the eye test because it's impossible to make a mistake while you're dead and the other team is pissing on your headstone.

He was really bad when he first stepped into the lineup but I think he's been doing better as of late.

Rangers generate no offense when he's on the ice; 1.09xGF/60 is comically low. But 1.07 xGA/60 is incredible. I know it's an arbitrary time frame an whatnot so take it with a grain of salt.

 

[Irishguy42]

KAAPO KAKKO!

Your three stars of the game for tonight, and every night:

1. CONSUME
2. THE
3. PIZZA

 

[Machinehead]

He was really bad when he first stepped into the lineup but I think he's been doing better as of late.

View attachment 411569

I'm gonna need to see more of this.

 

[will1066]

Hajek is one of the best examples ever of a player who passes the eye test because it's impossible to make a mistake while you're dead and the other team is pissing on your headstone.

Lol you're breaking my balls, breaking my balls

 

[duhmetreE]

Hajek is playing the most sheltered ten minutes a game on the third pairing.

Even guys like Stu Bickel and Jason Strudwick could do that.

I’m not ripping on the kid but we will know we have a good third pairing when we no longer need to ride Fox Miller and Trouba for 26 minutes each a game.

Robertson and Lundkvist, send up the bat signal

What do you want from him? I have no clue what your expectations are, most 3rd pairs are 'sheltered' and get around 14minutes. He's playing 3rd pairing minutes, getting 3rd line duties.. Yes, it could be better but that's stating the obvious. We will not have world beaters at every position

Knoblauch obviously doesn't trust him, his minutes dropped since he took over.

Still think he's good at puck retrieval and has a good first pass, cleaned up and minimized mistakes. He's doing fine for the role he is playing. He has been improving as the season moves along. Playing on the Right Side as well. He is not a long term solution with the depth we have in the farm.

He may be playing with Lundkvist next year

 

[kovazub94]

Hajek is one of the best examples ever of a player who passes the eye test because it's impossible to make a mistake while you're dead and the other team is pissing on your headstone.

Who are his most common forwards?

 

[romba]

Things are looking up when we’re arguing over 3rd pair d and not MIA super stars

 

[Ruggs225]

From the eyeball test he looks to be fin on the third pair. Smith on the other hand has been having trouble getting out of his Zone and frequently turns the puck over or just gets it up the boards where the other team still retains possession

 

[Larrybiv]

Numbers instead of names? Who does that?

Coaches, and shorter typing. Lol

 

[Larrybiv]

Let me calm you down right now by saying we won't sweep both PIT and BOS, much less one of the two. Of course, I hope that my post ages really badly.

Sweeping them would be amazing and just what the doctor ordered. I'd be thrilled with 3 of 4, but especially WIN in reg. BOTH vs Pitt. We owe them those losses, big time!

1st things first, c'mon Shesty, and sweep Filthy. They suck, and destined to a lottery pick. Haha.