Post-Game Talk: Game 4

[DumpnChase12]

People, get some perspective - NYR had 114 points, Florida 110, and Carolina 111. These are the two toughest Eastern Conference opponents we could draw. They are every bit as good as us. Unfortunately, there were no major upsets in the first round that could help us. It is what it is.

2 of the next 3 are at home. We accomplished what we needed in Florida and that was to take back home ice.

What you say is 100% true, but the problem is that the Rangers are not playing like a team that had 114 points, not even close at this point (except for Igor)

 

[Mike in Houston]

Such excuses. Come out and say you played like crap, and come out rolling in Game 5. Otherwise it's all excuses. Essentially loser talk.

Where's the confidence? You were the #1 team in the league. In the ECF with a tied series with home ice. Stop f***ing sulking.

Chris Kreider - "We've got to do a better job of advancing pucks up the ice and establishing O-zone presence. A lot of that falls on me. I’ve got to be able to get in there and win pucks – get my body on pucks, move my feet and allow us to get up the ice and start rolling."

Mika Zibanejad - "It's sports."

 

[Machinehead]

We have Igor. Just think about how many NJD or Montreal teams have won playoff series on goaltending alone....

Brodeur's Devils teams gave up like 10 shots a game.

 

[Metranger]

The playoffs are tough. The rollercoaster is dramatic. In 94 the Rangers lost game 4 & 5 to go down 3-2 in the ECF. I am positive many rangers fans thought that was it, it was all over. This deep in the post season is not for the faint of heart. This team has some magic. They’ll need to pull some out Thursday night.

Yeah. But the '94 team had guts! And tough as nails players. And a hard ass manager who made hard ass decisions. This team is soft. I don't think I've seen so many bad/hail Mary passes last night. No discipline. Passes need to be short, sweet and crisp. Stop losing the pucks on a pass! But the Rangers look pooped. Not Vinny and Laffy though.

 

[Cmox]

It was getting too positive in here anyway.

I'm pretty sure the panthers go to batting practice with their sticks. They’re very good at batting the puck down.

The Rangers really need to work on clearing the zone. It's been like this all season and was one of my biggest worries going into the playoffs. The dainty hard around isn't working. I seriously cringe whenever they do it.
The only clean zone clears I’ve seen from Miller is when he skates it out. Panthers seem to have a problem with speed and carrying the puck out of the zone. I really think Jones should get a look, but we know it wont happen. Also, Shesterkin has to make better decisions when trying to clear it.

 

[savebyrichter94]

It’s really time to break up kz & go back to scheidz-miller. Miller cannot play well with trouba. I’d like to at least see them practice something like
10-16-13
20-72-96
50-93-24
6/17-21-73
55-23
79–4
56/6-8.

I’d scratch trouba in general but that won’t happen and I’d like to
See them try and get jones even if they go 11/7 because the d desperately need someone who can move the puck out of the zone w/o just chipping out so the panthers get it right back.

Yea we basically decided to make two guys (Miller & Schneider) worse to cover one guy struggling (Trouba)

Chris Kreider - "We've got to do a better job of advancing pucks up the ice and establishing O-zone presence. A lot of that falls on me. I’ve got to be able to get in there and win pucks – get my body on pucks, move my feet and allow us to get up the ice and start rolling."

Mika Zibanejad - "It's sports."

Amazing how Kreider has basically the same critiques of his own game people here get shit for pointing out

 

[Mike in Houston]

Amazing how Kreider has basically the same critiques of his own game people here get shit for pointing out

I don't think it's for any lack of effort or want to. He just has been stymied at every turn. It doesn't help that his center is also playing shit.

 

[Metranger]

The shot is telegraphed from a mile away and now it’s always from a bad angle. Goalie is always squared up to it by the time Zib is winding up.

Does Mika not have a wrist shot? Kreider has a great one. It would be nice to see it.

 

[HANK30]

What you say is 100% true, but the problem is that the Rangers are not playing like a team that had 114 points, not even close at this point (except for Igor)

Not for 60 minutes, they haven't. But we saw what they were capable of for the first 30 minutes of game 4. The problem was the forecheck was non-existent after they took a 2-1 lead. This team cannot go NJD and slam the door shut defensively after taking a lead - they are not built for that. They are built to win games by keeping the play in the offensive zone. Messier said it best on the Pat McAfee show - they Rangers can afford to be aggressive because they have Igor to bail them out. It's probably time to take some chances. If they play passively, they get in trouble.

 

[Atax]

Chris Kreider - "We've got to do a better job of advancing pucks up the ice and establishing O-zone presence. A lot of that falls on me. I’ve got to be able to get in there and win pucks – get my body on pucks, move my feet and allow us to get up the ice and start rolling."

Mika Zibanejad - "It's sports."

Kreider has always been accountable. He know he needs to do better and has shown he can elevate his game to help us win games.

Meanwhile, Mika is spoon fed PP minutes and is hot garbage all season. He's honestly become my least favorite Ranger. Headcase with no dog in him. The coach wont do anything because he knows Mika will wilt even further. He's been the weakest option on our PP (We'd all rather see the other guys taking the shot on the 1st unit) all season and cant produce at even strength. Now he's completely forgotten how to play hockey. I'm over him.

 

[Machinehead]

Amazing how Kreider has basically the same critiques of his own game people here get shit for pointing out

He said he hasn't won battles. He didn't say he's soft and should be traded.

 

[savebyrichter94]

He said he hasn't won battles. He didn't say he's soft and should be traded.

Right on cue, don’t even start

 

[chosen]

Brodeur's Devils teams gave up like 10 shots a game.

That's why when people tell me he was the best, I laugh.

 

[rangers1314]

None, Jones won't play.

I don't buy the "D is tired" BS. They played 10 games coming into this series and have had breaks of 6 and 7 days.

Game 5 is a must win and they need to act like it is. Would also help if they can get a series altering play where someone smokes Bennett/Tkachuk/Barkov and KO's them for the series.

Also the big 3 needs to do something. Mika/Kreider have been awful in this series and while Panarin showed some signs, he can't continue to be the 3rd best player on his line.

Difference between tired and injured.

 

[Machinehead]

Right on que, don’t even start

It's true.

The critiques of Kreider have never been "he needs to keep his feet moving and step up his game."

If it were that, nobody would say anything.

 

[HANK30]

Mika's pass was awful and cost us the game. However, if I were Wheeler, I would have just taken my chances and let Igor make the save then take a hooking penalty.

https://x.com/i/web/status/1795656596183556106

 

[savebyrichter94]

It's true.

The critiques of Kreider have never been "he needs to keep his feet moving and step up his game."

If it were that, nobody would say anything.

Except I say that all the time so I’ll just ignore this then

 

[qwertyaas]

Not for 60 minutes, they haven't. But we saw what they were capable of for the first 30 minutes of game 4. The problem was the forecheck was non-existent after they took a 2-1 lead. This team cannot go NJD and slam the door shut defensively after taking a lead - they are not built for that. They are built to win games by keeping the play in the offensive zone. Messier said it best on the Pat McAfee show - they Rangers can afford to be aggressive because they have Igor to bail them out. It's probably time to take some chances. If they play passively, they get in trouble.

They get a lead, then sit on it. But they don't have the current structure to turtle and sit on leads.

And we've seen it time and time again. Once they start playing defensive, they can't get out of it. Whether the ice tilts, opposing team adjusts or just mindset.

They push hard, then sit back assuming they'll squeak out a win. Won't work every game against Florida that takes advantage of that and bombards the zone. That's what look like flukey goals. It's a result of dominating ozone possession and constant shots without worry of losing the puck. Pucks will start going in.

 

[Clown Fiesta]

Best of 3 we got them already did it once. Out to 3 need to wake up.

 

[Machinehead]

Except I say that all the time so I’ll just ignore this then

Ok and did I ever yell at you personally over Kreider?

People don't get shit for criticism. They get shit for only posting when the team loses and it's always doom porn.

I hardly think you fall into that category.

 

[savebyrichter94]

Ok and did I ever yell at you personally over Kreider?

People don't get shit for criticism. They get shit for only posting when the team loses and it's always doom porn.

I hardly think you fall into that category.

Fair enough but not gonna lie it’s just kinda annoying how the second I mention his name you always quote me so sorry if I seem apprehensive but I think it’s kinda fair

 

[Machinehead]

Personally, I don't think it makes a difference.

If we play a close game and lose because we didn't score, I'll criticize the scorers. Game 1 probably falls into that category.

We're getting out-attempted 100-20. It's just a mismatch.

I would love for them to come home and look better, maybe they will, but I don't see how they're changing it. The rosters are what they are.

 

[Mike in Houston]

Personally, I don't think it makes a difference.

If we play a close game and lose because we didn't score, I'll criticize the scorers. Game 1 probably falls into that category.

We're getting out-attempted 100-20. It's just a mismatch.

I would love for them to come home and look better, maybe they will, but I don't see how they're changing it. The rosters are what they are.

Maybe they'll have a performance like they did Game 1 vs. Boston.

A man can hope.

 

[Machinehead]

You also have to consider cost effectiveness and how hard guys are to replace.

Who's doing what Kreider does without costing way more than Kreider?

Where are they getting Panarin's production from?

Kreider already won a series. Zibanejad had 14 points in 10 games when they were playing competitive hockey.

Fix the defense. Been saying it since we had f***ing Zubov. I would go to kindergarten and tell the other kids that Leetch is doing everything himself.

Your forwards might score if you have the puck.

 

[HANK30]

Every time I see crap like this, the league looks rigged. Mika taken down by Forsling right before the end of the third period and no call...literally just yanked him down and prevented him from going for the puck. And then Kakko tripped by Florida player...he didn't fall down like McDonagh said on air. You can see Ekblad's stick touch Kakko's left skate. If Laviolette had any backbone, he'd complain to the league.

https://x.com/i/web/status/1795651445754323278