Post-Game Talk: Game 4

[Filip Chytil]

Mika under the best circumstances f***s up more great opportunities than I've ever seen. You think he would rise above his team and not air mail that?

In the moment, I honestly thought he was going to bury it.

 

[EdJovanovski]

Silver lining from that game I thought Wheeler - Goodrow - Rempe were the best iteration of that 4th line yet. Rempe had a fantastic game winning battles, forechecking hard, that diving block, this kid would die for this team, had several good scoring chances. That last shift with 3 min left in the 3rd was incredible, and that speed and defense to catch up with Kulikov and stay with him and rub him out on the boards.

Wheeler looked less rusty than Chytil tbh and I like his size in this series. I’d roll with the same forward lines next game, but swap Mika with Laf on PP1. And I don’t get why we ever put Miller - Trouba back together, go back to Miller - Schneider & third pair Gustafsson - Trouba

 

[Larrybiv]

I've read enough. Literally 4 pages of whining and destroying our players, our team. When an outsider @OurlordAndSaviorKuch comes in here being totally objective, and positive about what's going on here.......well, it just doesn't add up.
Nearly 4 pages of ripping Zibby, Kreids, Trouba, Panarin, Lindgren on and on into smitherines. So hypothetically, some of these players wake up and play well towards a game 5 and 6 OR 7 victory, then what? Oh yeah I know, they'll all get on the next PGT and apologize while eating their crow?
Make no mistake, I'm not happy either. Maybe I don't always call a spade a spade, but I don't believe this is true fandom. Being a fan, people should be more loyal and supportive. As it stands now, we are 1 of only 4 teams left, needing only 6 more wins in the possible 10 games remaining. Just 10 games until next season.
So, you want to be right and we lose? Fine. I'd rather support my team, win or lose. We've had a very nice season up until this point.
Just 1 of 4 teams left, think about that. Rather be on the outside looking in? NOT ME. I am thrilled we are still playing.
Apologies to those that were on the supportive side in these 4 pages. @HANK30 , @Sayba , @mike14 , @Harbour Dog @Ruggs225 ,@Cuckoo4Kakko , @effen @Bacon Artemi Bravo , @Oscar Lindberg , @Charlie Conway .

@Filip Chytil .......yeah, we do need a puck moving dman added next game. Jonesey needs to be released on good hockey skills. And please Lavi, make some good HARD decisions.

 

[SnowblindNYR]

In the moment, I honestly thought he was going to bury it.

I guess I think in the moment for everyone.

 

[bl02]

kept the puck in our zone for periods at a time?

5pts in 4 games.

Imagine if Kreider and Zibby had a combined 5 points in these 4 games?
How about 10 shots in the last 2 games?

 

[MysticLeviathan]

And it wasn't a massacre because they outskilled us, something that can get schemed. They just basically got physically manhandled and there's not much you can do about the physical makeup of the team.

yes and no. there were plenty of times they had a good chance to move the puck and didn’t. it’s the NHL equivalent of happy feet. it’s mental there. yes, a good amount of the game they were physically dominant, but there were also times they just made poor decisions with the puck.

 

[SnowblindNYR]

yes and no. there were plenty of times they had a good chance to move the puck and didn’t. it’s the NHL equivalent of happy feet. it’s mental there. yes, a good amount of the game they were physically dominant, but there were also times they just made poor decisions with the puck.

I made a similar point but I called it "hearing footsteps".

 

[bl02]

Silver lining from that game I thought Wheeler - Goodrow - Rempe were the best iteration of that 4th line yet. Rempe had a fantastic game winning battles, forechecking hard, had several good scoring chances. That last shift with 3 min left in the 3rd was incredible, and that speed and defense to catch up with Kulikov and stay with him and rub him out on the boards.

Wheeler looked less rusty than Chytil tbh and I like his size in this series. I’d roll with the same forward lines next game, but swap Mika with Laf on PP1. And I don’t get why we ever put Miller - Trouba back together, go back to Miller - Schneider & third pair Gustafsson - Trouba

I think this is a good combo of fair and realistic of what will happen in game 5.
Haven't analyzed every single second of every Rempe shift but made some really good plays in tough spots to get the puck deep.
In the third period in particular he made two strong plays along the wall around center ice to work it deep only to have Kreider do nothing with it and give it right back to Florida.

 

[duhmetreE]

Laffy having under 16 minutes is criminal

Lavi deserves heat

 

[Peltz]

Now that I slept on it, I wonder why our "star" players disappear every year come playoff time. Bread stuck through two rounds and is mostly gone in the ECF. Mika can't even hit the net or pass the puck. Are they refusing to play because they only get paid for regular-season games? Do they not want to win the most prestigious trophy in the world? Why are such skilled players outplayed by dirty losers who have less skill but more heart? That first PP looked so great, but then they fizzled out again. Why does this happen every year? Someone needs to fix the culture of this team, or they're doomed to another 24+ years without a cup. I don't want that one to last a lifetime; I'm halfway dead!

I don't think that's it. Teams are trying to keep them off the board. Some failed to do so like Washington and Carolina, but Florida is having success.

This is the most physical team they've faced so far (Washington just did some stuff after the whistle but wasn't really laying hits during the game). And Panarin and Zib just aren't finding as much open ice out there.

I also think Panarin and Zib are so rarely touching the puck right now, that when they do, they are forcing it too much. You can see them forcing it a lot in the last game, including on the play that ultimately caused them to go short handed and cost them the game in OT.

I don't think finding them open ice is a matter of "will". It's more of a failure in X's and O's right now. It's going to be Lavi's job to adjust and put them back in a position to succeed where they can find more open ice in the o-zone.

 

[mandiblesofdoom]

Is Igor on the team? Everyone making a big deal about the shots attempted. On Sunday, Florida had 108 and 38 SOG. So, 70 had no chance of going in and that is what everyone is making a big deal of?

Shots attempted are a useful proxy for possession. The disparity in shots attempted (aka Corsi!!!) reflects the Rangers' inability to get the puck for long stretches. Which is a bad thing.

 

[will1066]

I made a similar point but I called it "hearing footsteps".

People shouldn't be shocked that constant pressure -- for 40 nearly continuous minutes -- forces one to make unforced mistakes due to mental fatigue and not just physical stress.

 

[Synergy27]

In addition to Zib and Panarin simply needing to be better, Lavi needs to make some adjustments as well. Trouba needs to be better as well but I don’t think he is capable of it so I’m not even going to address that.

Florida does this little overlapping play on zone entries that gets guys consistent looks from the dot on plays that initially look very under control.

Also, they keep drawing people over to one side of the ice and somehow springing a late breaking forward free on net (like the Barkov play from very early in the game where he ended up handcuffing himself).

This Florida roster is not impressive. Evan Rodrigues is their 2C FFS. This series is eminently winnable.

 

[duhmetreE]

Can we adjust the freaking breakout. Flying the zone is not working

They’re countering it every freaking time.

 

[bhamill]

And yet, most of this series when Panarin is on the ice the Rangers outshoot Florida, which means that the other lines are being outshot 80-5.

But the uninformed grasping for straws blame one of the few holding up his end of the game.

Never mind that with Fox playing on one leg, only Schneider leaves the zone with possession once in a while.

Lindgren mostly gets smashed into the boards, Gustaffson sometimes looks like an asset, but usually not, and no point in even discussing Trouba anymore.

The mystery man is Miller. I've never seen a player who only looks good at four-on-four.

Jones would currently be the Rangers 3rd best dman, but he can't "hold up", yet Lindgren is ragdolled multiple times a game.

Imagine the difference a Makar, Hughes etc,. would make to this group.

When Pan is on the ice, he's generally on with our two best non goalie players: Trocheck and Laf. Artemi isn't killing us, but he's not the reason that line is outshooting Florida. He may not be a detriment (like Zibs lately) but he's not exactly a positive either. He is NOT scoring and so he is NOT holding up his end.
I agree with you on our D.

 

[KevinFinnerty]

for some crazy reason I think we're about to blow the doors off them the next 2 games.

 

[GoAwayPanarin]

I made a similar point but I called it "hearing footsteps".

I think this was true of game 3.

I don't think it was really true of game 4. They made so many unforced errors and lost so many pucks with no one around them. It was just comical at times.

Hopefully the officiating slant at least breaks even at home. We won't get the heavy slant that Florida gets because for what ever reason, they stop getting called for anything and get PP's on things that aren't penalties but a break even would be an improvement in that regard.

 

[Atax]

I've read enough. Literally 4 pages of whining and destroying our players, our team. When an outsider @OurlordAndSaviorKuch comes in here being totally objective, and positive about what's going on here.......well, it just doesn't add up.
Nearly 4 pages of ripping Zibby, Kreids, Trouba, Panarin, Lindgren on and on into smitherines. So hypothetically, some of these players wake up and play well towards a game 5 and 6 OR 7 victory, then what? Oh yeah I know, they'll all get on the next PGT and apologize while eating their crow?
Make no mistake, I'm not happy either. Maybe I don't always call a spade a spade, but I don't believe this is true fandom. Being a fan, people should be more loyal and supportive. As it stands now, we are 1 of only 4 teams left, needing only 6 more wins in the possible 10 games remaining. Just 10 games until next season.
So, you want to be right and we lose? Fine. I'd rather support my team, win or lose. We've had a very nice season up until this point.
Just 1 of 4 teams left, think about that. Rather be on the outside looking in? NOT ME. I am thrilled we are still playing.
Apologies to those that were on the supportive side in these 4 pages. @HANK30 , @Sayba , @mike14 , @Harbour Dog @Ruggs225 ,@Cuckoo4Kakko , @effen @Bacon Artemi Bravo , @Oscar Lindberg , @Charlie Conway .

@Filip Chytil .......yeah, we do need a puck moving dman added next game. Jonesey needs to be released on good hockey skills. And please Lavi, make some good HARD decisions.

Criticizing a team after a pitiful performance doesn't make someone any more or less of a fan. It doesnt mean they arent rooting for the team. I'm going to watch and root for them to win, but they stunk last night. I appreciate the positivity though.

 

[EdJovanovski]

I think this is a good combo of fair and realistic of what will happen in game 5.
Haven't analyzed every single second of every Rempe shift but made some really good plays in tough spots to get the puck deep.
In the third period in particular he made two strong plays along the wall around center ice to work it deep only to have Kreider do nothing with it and give it right back to Florida.

Yea I thought it was Rempe’s best game as a Ranger, he seems to be gaining Lavi’s trust as well between getting late shifts & OT shift in Game 2, and then getting late shifts in a tie game in Game 4 even on the road.

Yea being unrealistic is like to see Jones in for Trouba, Rempe on the Kreider-Mika line to have them play with their chests out more, Rempe on PP2 to cause havoc in the crease, and maybe even descend someone from the rafters lol. But I think my proposed changes are possible, Miller - Trouba are very clearly a problem in this series. I also wondered how a Miller - Fox pairing would do especially since Fox is barely mobile at this point, having a lengthy fast skating partner in Miller and the brains in Fox could be a good duo. Then put Lindgren with Schneider and Gustafsson with Trouba. Though that may be too big of a shake up.

I don’t see major changes as I doubt Mika plays THAT bad again, demoting him from PP1 would be moreso a promotion of Laf for his great play than a demotion of Mika. That was his worst game as a Ranger though, hopefully he wants to redeem himself

 

[SnowblindNYR]

I think this was true of game 3.

I don't think it was really true of game 4. They made so many unforced errors and lost so many pucks with no one around them. It was just comical at times.

Hopefully the officiating slant at least breaks even at home. We won't get the heavy slant that Florida gets because for what ever reason, they stop getting called for anything and get PP's on things that aren't penalties but a break even would be an improvement in that regard.

But I think "hearing footsteps" is about unforced errors. Often about WRs going over the middle and dropping passes expecting to get hit.

 

[DanielBrassard]

Can we adjust the freaking breakout. Flying the zone is not working

They’re countering it every freaking time.

Have to move the puck through the middle of the ice. Florida is just daring the rangers to move it up the boards and they do it constantly. The way to beat their forecheck is moving the puck through the middle.

 

[bhamill]

Florida scores 2 PP goals a game...I wonder what happens when we stop taking penalties?

The referee's will not care. See also Lindgren's "hold" last night.

 

[NickyFotiu]

Bill Parcels said on the Monday 16 fan bases think they will win the Superbowl and 16 fanbases wonder if they will win another game. It kind of feels that way during this series especially. What I really felt strange about was our fan base being so okay with the ice tilted in our end in previous games. This fan base generally is not like that. Igor has been great but another team having such huge time of possession numbers is not sustainable if we want to win. I can see our guys are worn out and or hurting especially on defense but they have to dig deep down and work. The irony here is it takes so much more effort to play in their own end.

 

[SnowblindNYR]

I've read enough. Literally 4 pages of whining and destroying our players, our team. When an outsider @OurlordAndSaviorKuch comes in here being totally objective, and positive about what's going on here.......well, it just doesn't add up.
Nearly 4 pages of ripping Zibby, Kreids, Trouba, Panarin, Lindgren on and on into smitherines. So hypothetically, some of these players wake up and play well towards a game 5 and 6 OR 7 victory, then what? Oh yeah I know, they'll all get on the next PGT and apologize while eating their crow?
Make no mistake, I'm not happy either. Maybe I don't always call a spade a spade, but I don't believe this is true fandom. Being a fan, people should be more loyal and supportive. As it stands now, we are 1 of only 4 teams left, needing only 6 more wins in the possible 10 games remaining. Just 10 games until next season.
So, you want to be right and we lose? Fine. I'd rather support my team, win or lose. We've had a very nice season up until this point.
Just 1 of 4 teams left, think about that. Rather be on the outside looking in? NOT ME. I am thrilled we are still playing.
Apologies to those that were on the supportive side in these 4 pages. @HANK30 , @Sayba , @mike14 , @Harbour Dog @Ruggs225 ,@Cuckoo4Kakko , @effen @Bacon Artemi Bravo , @Oscar Lindberg , @Charlie Conway .

@Filip Chytil .......yeah, we do need a puck moving dman added next game. Jonesey needs to be released on good hockey skills. And please Lavi, make some good HARD decisions.

@OurlordAndSaviorKuch roots for this team because of his wife. So he's optimistic because he wants them to win and doesn't have an emotional connection to the team. So being optimistic is easy in that scenario.

 

[GoAwayPanarin]

But I think "hearing footsteps" is about unforced errors. Often about WRs going over the middle and dropping passes expecting to get hit.

yeah but that usually happens when you have a defender in the vicinity.

These guys were losing pucks when there was no one within 10 feet of them.

The weak DZ clears have been a problem for years and that isn't going to change, but they were f***ing up free exits.