GDT: Game 42: New York Rangers @ Vagus Golden Knights, 10pm ET, MSG

[McRanger92]

Rangers should sign Brassard. They need a guy who can fill in at C. He’s only 37.

 

[noncents]

Rangers should sign Brassard. They need a guy who can fill in at C. He’s only 37.

i'm 37.. i'm 37, i'm not old!

 

[Mr Mxyzptlk]

I wouldn’t say that I’m conflicted because I feel fairly strongly that the team needs an overhaul regardless of what happens the remainder of the year, but the team itself is heading into muddy waters now and it’s going to muck up the process, IMO.

This group made the ECF twice in the past 4ish years and has largely stayed intact. Yes, they’ve gotten older, but they’re not over the hill by any means. To say that they’re genuinely as bad as they’ve been would be disingenuous. At the same time, many of us harped on goaltending and unsustainable special teams success as buoys that resulted in us overachieving. I don’t think anyone will argue that the ECF runs were “expected” based on actual on-ice performance, and I think most would accept that when we won the President’s Trophy last year, we were closer to a 4-5 seed in reality, but a hot PP and great goaltending (plus our bi-annual new coach surge) led to greater results.

If we can agree with most of that, than what we have is a team that’s had some good results, but if you looked closely, were a flawed and overachieving team all along. In other words, despite the success they did have, change was always necessary for this group to become good enough to win it all.

This year, for some reason, almost all of the regulars on the team essentially threw tantrums and gave up. This caused the flaws and issues the team has had for years to be magnified - and amplified - due to the lack of effort. While they may not be as bad as they have been, this also exposed a new issue as well - a complete lack of leadership and accountability.

While not as talented or well constructed as their results made them look, they probably are talented enough to be a playoff team (though the defense is absolute shambles). However, we now know that in addition to being more of a middle seed that is sliding towards being a bubble team as their star players get older, we also know that they 100% do not have the leadership or mental resiliency to get to the promised land. At the same time, the cold sticks are starting to warm up again. Two very good goalies are still backstopping them. The results aren’t looking AS dismal as a couple of weeks ago.

We will probably start winning a much greater percentage of our games. We couldn’t really win less - we were already at like 18% over a 22 game stretch. Even if we play .500 hockey the rest of the way, MY preference would still be that neither Drury, Dolan, the fans or the team media is fooled by it, and we continue forward with the changes that need to be made instead of getting a string of wins together and thinking they’ve suddenly shaken off the bad ju ju and should be pushing their chips in again. I don’t care if they go on a little hot streak; please do not buy into the false hope and fuel the “anything can happen” narrative about a team that went to the ECF last year making a strong second half come back. The Sabres and Sharks and Blackhawks and Canadiens all go on mini streaks each year. It doesn’t change what they are. We have seen this team’s flaws and they have not been magically fixed. They didn’t go away. A hot streak or a string of games stolen by Igor won’t make that any less true. The absolute worst thing this team could do is get a sniff of their own aroma, think they’ve suddenly and magically turned the corner, and pivot to thinking this is a contending year. They need to stay the course. Changes need to continue through the TDL, draft and summer. Period.

I think one of the most telling "red flags" was the come from behind wins. If I remember correctly, someone here said we had 28 such victories; that's just over 50% of our wins. That, to me, is alarming........good teams rarely spend half of their wins trailing the opposition. Don't know if my recollection is correct, but a good number of those wins came because we scored in the last 5 minutes or so. Like the PP and goaltending, that too is just not sustainable.

 

[McRanger92]

i'm 37.. i'm 37, i'm not old!

Im 32 and I dont feel old. But I also dont feel 25 anymore, if you know what I mean

 

[Mr Mxyzptlk]

Wow -- the crowd is more alive and louder for legends game than they are for regular Rangers games.

 

[LokiDog]

I’m 38 and the only thing that doesn’t feel 27 is my left shoulder, which is torn to shreds. Physically and athletically I feel fine. Mentally, I just don’t have that same discipline I did when I was 25. I’d rather have fries than a side salad these days, and just be happy. I used to want abs more than happiness. Now I just want to stay in shape and live a balanced life. But I feel just fine.

 

[Good Intentions]

I met Howden and Georgiev on the same occasion.

Found Howden to be a genuinely good dude, not a typical prep dbag.

Quinn was obsessed.

 

[JimmyG89]

Even the alumni can't score enough for Hank

 

[RangersFan]

Clutterbuck should be the best one out there. Guy was just playing last year and is still FA. Turgeon moves very well. I hope I'm still able to be in shape at 55 (13 years from now ).

 

[Bacon Artemi Bravo]

Are you rooting for 40 straight losses?

If I could snap my fingers and have that come to fruition, yes. I would do it. I am in this thing for life and I know the team needs a complete makeover. A top 3 pick would go a long way. That said, since I actively watch every game, of course I root for them to win when I’m watching. There’s a dichotomy there and it doesn’t completely make sense but that’s just where I am at lol

 

[DialUp]

Clutterbuck again I hate this!

 

[Mike in Houston]

Wow -- the crowd is more alive and louder for legends game than they are for regular Rangers games.

Probably because tickets were $30 for lower bowl.

Are Alex Faust and Dave Maloney calling the game on MSG?

 

[DialUp]

Brian Mullen lost a step

 

[KirkAlbuquerque]

new losing streak starts tonight let’s gooooo

 

[Harbour Dog]

Fun fact: on this date in 2011, Hank had an assist against the Canadiens that extended a personal point streak to 3 games. So says my Facebook memories.

 

[RangersFan]

Boo Nieves is the worst one out there lol. Probably the youngest guy out there too. Funny, he's a skill coach to some of the kids my nephew plays with for the Cyclones.

 

[DialUp]

What a disaster, empty net goal

 

[noncents]

i'm 37.. i'm 37, i'm not old!

i'm 32 also. i was quoting Dennis from holy grail

 

[FIRE DRURY]

Howden has scored more goals than everyone on our team aside for Panarin.

 

[Daves a mess]

I’m 38 and the only thing that doesn’t feel 27 is my left shoulder, which is torn to shreds. Physically and athletically I feel fine. Mentally, I just don’t have that same discipline I did when I was 25. I’d rather have fries than a side salad these days, and just be happy. I used to want abs more than happiness. Now I just want to stay in shape and live a balanced life. But I feel just fine.

Wait till you clowns hit 60, and look forward to the 10% off your bill at IHOP.

As far as pain goes. Things will start to hurt in places you didn't know existed. Like that time your thumb got jerked backwards playing basketball when you were 19.

Your body will remember, and remind you of that play every day, until you flatline

 

[DialUp]

I’m 38 and the only thing that doesn’t feel 27 is my left shoulder, which is torn to shreds. Physically and athletically I feel fine. Mentally, I just don’t have that same discipline I did when I was 25. I’d rather have fries than a side salad these days, and just be happy. I used to want abs more than happiness. Now I just want to stay in shape and live a balanced life. But I feel just fine.

My left shoulder is shot, my right elbow is toast, my right foot is swollen. My back is bad. Other than that I feel terrific!

 

[Mr Mxyzptlk]

Probably because tickets were $30 for lower bowl.

Are Alex Faust and Dave Maloney calling the game on MSG?

I honestly didn't watch more than a minute or so.

 

[kovazub94]

I

I think Vagus fans yelling “Knights” during the anthem has taken the prize for most annoying fans at a game. More so than when Rangers fans yell “Let’s Go Rangers” during the anthem. Will likely get both tonight so the cringe will be extra cringey.

I’m just as equally annoyed by Dallas and Florida fans screaming Stars and Red respectively during anthem

 

[NYRfan85]

Is Quick getting the start? Would be nice to see him beat his old team, as brief as his stay in Vegas was.

 

[80s Kid]

My left shoulder is shot, my right elbow is toast, my right foot is swollen. My back is bad. Other than that I feel terrific!

Lol...I thought the phrase "the wrong side of 30" was overblown...until I turned 30.

I was a gym rat and went running on a regular basis in my 20s. Right around 30 my spine basically said "That's it! No more!" Now I'm 40 and walking a mile each day around the neighborhood is considered a win.