Post-Game Talk: Game 5

[HatTrick Swayze]

Well, we are going to learn that he was playing on one leg, like McDonagh in 2015.

Plus a lot of other injuries. Dipietro said it today on the radio

I’m sure he is. He was still in a big brace at the end of the regular season. And then took that knee on knee from Jenson. It’s just so frustrating.

 

[HFsNumber1Heel]

But why is Kakko so bad this year. He had a 19 goal/40 point year last year. Basically the same as Laf. Aside from the injury why did one take a big step forward and the other is lost? Kakko can't really be this bad can he? He was the consensus number 2 behind Hughes. I don't get it.

He can't skate, never improved it, and he only has chemistry with Chytil and Brodzinsky.

 

[Machinehead]

I’m sure he is. He was still in a big brace at the end of the regular season. And then took that knee on knee from Jenson. It’s just so frustrating.

Which, I'll reiterate, was a billion times worse than the Aho hit and we should beat somebody up over it.

 

[17futurecap]

Wennberg probably has a broken hand. I saw on X or whatever that Kreider could be injured. Trouba is.

Last week in one of Wennberg’s wife’s Instagram stories, one of the videos of Wenn playing with his kids he had on a white brace on his hand, was kind of surprised no one in the media saw it.

 

[HFsNumber1Heel]

Definitely should go to sleep. I'm just complete numb stunned at this point (yes I do have a life and have plans tomorrow after work too believe it or not).

 

[Machinehead]

We should beat up Aho too. Why not? He exists.

 

[Hire Sather]

Definitely should go to sleep. I'm just complete numb stunned at this point (yes I do have a life and have plans tomorrow after work too believe it or not).

That would be wise. Yet I want to drink until G6 and I have to work both tomorrow night and Saturday

 

[RangersFan1994]

We ain’t winning Jack squat with Meeka as our 1C. Wheeler, Gus, and Kakko aren’t the problem.

Too soft for the playoffs like Panarin. Just regular season players. Need more playoff players on this roster. Ones that can score when it matters most.

 

[DelZottoHitTheNetJK]

Stop wasting posts saying the same thing. We're out in the last round if not for Igor. Igor Shesterkin is more than good enough to win the Stanley Cup. We need what's in front of him to not be trash.

The president's trophy winning team that's in a 3-2 dogfight in the ECF against last years EC champs are trash. Gotcha.

*or*

our goalie wasn't as good as he could have been tonight

News flash: the team we're playing is very good at defense. Anyone that expected this team to score 3 goals a game this series needs their head examined. This was always, always, always going to be, Igor has to steal one or two. Helen Keller could've seen that Panarin, Kreider and Zibanejad were going to be absolutely smothered in this series. None of this is a surprise. This was so unsurprising that in fact, I've made a small fortune betting against Panarin and Zibanejad for shots on goal and points. The sportsbooks finally caught on prior to this game and changed Panarin's shot line to 2.5 from 3.5. Under 3.5 shots for him was the easiest money I've made in my life. Death, taxes, and Florida putting Panarin in a headlock every time he touches the puck. Too easy.

People are losing their collective shit over Kaapo Kakko, who makes about 13 cents against the cap, when our world class goalie let in 2 EASY goals on home ice in as close as you could get to an elimination game.

Do we want to say Igor stole us game 3? We want to put him on mount rushmore for that performance? I'll buy it; he played outstanding.

Dude still let 4 by him.

It's not good enough on this particular iteration of the Rangers. Obviously if you put Igor on Florida or Carolina he probably has 2 rings already. Nobody's debating that.

NYR have always built teams from the goaltender out. When said goaltender lets Gustav Forsling squeak a backhander by him in Game 5, it's over

 

[PuckLuck3043]

He can't skate, never improved it, and he only has chemistry with Chytil and Brodzinsky.

But how was he the number 2 pick and I remember several people saying it wasn't a guarantee that Huges would be picked first. Didn't he have great world juniors also? I honestly thought he would be a solid 2nd/3rd line type 50-60 point guy who is responsible defensively. I never thought it would be this difficult for him to score.

 

[Hire Sather]

Too soft for the playoffs like Panarin. Just regular season players. Need more playoff players on this roster. Ones that can score when it matters most.

Unless you have an idea that replaces Panarin, he is still worthy of his contract.

 

[Machinehead]

But how was he the number 2 pick and I remember several people saying it wasn't a guarantee that Huges would be picked first. Didn't he have great world juniors also? I honestly thought he would be a solid 2nd/3rd line type 50-60 point guy who is responsible defensively. I never thought it would be this difficult for him to score.

He just never got any better after his 18th birthday. Sometimes that happens.

 

[HFsNumber1Heel]

Too soft for the playoffs like Panarin. Just regular season players. Need more playoff players on this roster. Ones that can score when it matters most.

Some cores are regular season champs and flame out in the playoffs (remember in the late-90s/early 2000s when the Capitals were always the SouthEast Champs). Some teams like the Sharks of that era are second round max. Remember how good the Senators were and they finally got to the SCF in 2007 with the Alfredson/Spezza/Heatley trio?

When I was a kid the Rangers were basically the "Second Round Rangers" until 1994 and then 1997. For the last dozen years they've basically been the "Conference Final Rangers".

But how was he the number 2 pick and I remember several people saying it wasn't a guarantee that Huges would be picked first. Didn't he have great world juniors also? I honestly thought he would be a solid 2nd/3rd line type 50-60 point guy who is responsible defensively. I never thought it would be this difficult for him to score.

Not everyone develops the same way. He was rushed. David Quinn was a crappy coach. Mark Ciaccao was a crappy skills coach. Kakko never worked on his skating.

 

[HFsNumber1Heel]

The president's trophy winning team that's in a 3-2 dogfight in the ECF against last years EC champs are trash. Gotcha.

*or*

our goalie wasn't as good as he could have been tonight

News flash: the team we're playing is very good at defense. Anyone that expected this team to score 3 goals a game this series needs their head examined. This was always, always, always going to be, Igor has to steal one or two. Helen Keller could've seen that Panarin, Kreider and Zibanejad were going to be absolutely smothered in this series. None of this is a surprise. This was so unsurprising that in fact, I've made a small fortune betting against Panarin and Zibanejad for shots on goal and points. The sportsbooks finally caught on prior to this game and changed Panarin's shot line to 2.5 from 3.5. Under 3.5 shots for him was the easiest money I've made in my life. Death, taxes, and Florida putting Panarin in a headlock every time he touches the puck. Too easy.

People are losing their collective shit over Kaapo Kakko, who makes about 13 cents against the cap, when our world class goalie let in 2 EASY goals on home ice in as close as you could get to an elimination game.

Do we want to say Igor stole us game 3? We want to put him on mount rushmore for that performance? I'll buy it; he played outstanding.

Dude still let 4 by him.

It's not good enough on this particular iteration of the Rangers. Obviously if you put Igor on Florida or Carolina he probably has 2 rings already. Nobody's debating that.

NYR have always built teams from the goaltender out. When said goaltender lets Gustav Forsling squeak a backhander by him in Game 5, it's over

I wouldn't say they build from goalie out. They've just been really fortunate developing goalies. It's the one thing they're great at.

 

[PuckLuck3043]

The president's trophy winning team that's in a 3-2 dogfight in the ECF against last years EC champs are trash. Gotcha.

*or*

our goalie wasn't as good as he could have been tonight

News flash: the team we're playing is very good at defense. Anyone that expected this team to score 3 goals a game this series needs their head examined. This was always, always, always going to be, Igor has to steal one or two. Helen Keller could've seen that Panarin, Kreider and Zibanejad were going to be absolutely smothered in this series. None of this is a surprise. This was so unsurprising that in fact, I've made a small fortune betting against Panarin and Zibanejad for shots on goal and points. The sportsbooks finally caught on prior to this game and changed Panarin's shot line to 2.5 from 3.5. Under 3.5 shots for him was the easiest money I've made in my life. Death, taxes, and Florida putting Panarin in a headlock every time he touches the puck. Too easy.

People are losing their collective shit over Kaapo Kakko, who makes about 13 cents against the cap, when our world class goalie let in 2 EASY goals on home ice in as close as you could get to an elimination game.

Do we want to say Igor stole us game 3? We want to put him on mount rushmore for that performance? I'll buy it; he played outstanding.

Dude still let 4 by him.

It's not good enough on this particular iteration of the Rangers. Obviously if you put Igor on Florida or Carolina he probably has 2 rings already. Nobody's debating that.

NYR have always built teams from the goaltender out. When said goaltender lets Gustav Forsling squeak a backhander by him in Game 5, it's over

He has also stopped point blank shots all series. He is not super human but he is still arguably the best goalie in this playoffs. He has done his job which is to give them a chance in every game. He has given them a chance in every game. Hank was also great, a HOFer, but he also couldn't get it done. You are blaming the player who has been the best on the team and screaming that he needs to do more. What about the guys that make 8, 9, and 11 mil. Shouldn't they be doing something to help the team win?

 

[ReddestRum]

The president's trophy winning team that's in a 3-2 dogfight in the ECF against last years EC champs are trash. Gotcha.

*or*

our goalie wasn't as good as he could have been tonight

News flash: the team we're playing is very good at defense. Anyone that expected this team to score 3 goals a game this series needs their head examined. This was always, always, always going to be, Igor has to steal one or two. Helen Keller could've seen that Panarin, Kreider and Zibanejad were going to be absolutely smothered in this series. None of this is a surprise. This was so unsurprising that in fact, I've made a small fortune betting against Panarin and Zibanejad for shots on goal and points. The sportsbooks finally caught on prior to this game and changed Panarin's shot line to 2.5 from 3.5. Under 3.5 shots for him was the easiest money I've made in my life. Death, taxes, and Florida putting Panarin in a headlock every time he touches the puck. Too easy.

People are losing their collective shit over Kaapo Kakko, who makes about 13 cents against the cap, when our world class goalie let in 2 EASY goals on home ice in as close as you could get to an elimination game.

Do we want to say Igor stole us game 3? We want to put him on mount rushmore for that performance? I'll buy it; he played outstanding.

Dude still let 4 by him.

It's not good enough on this particular iteration of the Rangers. Obviously if you put Igor on Florida or Carolina he probably has 2 rings already. Nobody's debating that.

NYR have always built teams from the goaltender out. When said goaltender lets Gustav Forsling squeak a backhander by him in Game 5, it's over

I'm so sick of people shitting on the one guy who keeps trying to stand on his head this series when he's getting shelled game in and game out with a defense in front of him that might as well be pylons. The Panthers have recorded almost 50 more shots than us this series and if it was 100 you guys would STILL want him to somehow be Jesus and keep stealing games hoping it will get us a cup win. It just sounds delusional.

 

[Paulie Walnutz]

The Rangers are going to have a bunch of huge decisions to make this summer and next summer. Igor needs help because he can’t do it all. With that being said, my fear is they’re gonna sign Igor to a huge deal which will impact the rest of the roster structure. I’ve it said before but I doubt Drury does anything this summer. We all know the problems and issues but I doubt the team sees them and even if they did I don’t think Drury has the balls to address them. Trouba will be back, Mika will definitely be back, Goodrow probably played himself back onto the team unless they’re in dire straits. Kakko played himself off the team. Panarin isn’t going anywhere and he’s kind of like the Kessel situation where he’s a good player but he won’t be THE guy to put you over the top. Wheeler is gone, the 2 Temu deadline pickups will be gone, Gus will be gone, Lindgren will probably be brought back thus leaving the third d left side position being the only d change. Othmann will probably play on the third line to start next season unless he really struggles in pre season. Cuylle will be better because he looks gassed right now, question is whether he will play on the third or fourth line. Chytil should be healthy and back up to speed. Chytil being out not only hurt the depth of the team but him being out of action for so long has only hurt the team. I think if Chytil had played all year going into this series the Rangers might be in a better position because the bottom 6 minus Goodrow hasn’t provide much game in game out. There’s going to be an open a lot at first line right wing for what feels like the millionth time. I can see the Rangers doing another Wheeler type deal signing a vet to league minimum and hoping to plug the hole.

 

[DelZottoHitTheNetJK]

I wouldn't say they build from goalie out. They've just been really fortunate developing goalies. It's the one thing they're great at.

If you expect to win you don't ice a defense corps featuring Trouba, Miller, Schneider and Gus unless the goalie is the centerpiece of your team. You sign a shutdown guy instead of Gus if you're worried about chances.

The construction of this roster is completely built upon goaltending and the PP

 

[Hire Sather]

The Rangers are going to have a bunch of huge decisions to make this summer and next summer. Igor needs help because he can’t do it all. With that being said, my fear is they’re gonna sign Igor to a huge deal which will impact the rest of the roster structure. I’ve it said before but I doubt Drury does anything this summer. We all know the problems and issues but I doubt the team sees them and even if they did I don’t think Drury has the balls to address them. Trouba will be back, Mika will definitely be back, Goodrow probably played himself back onto the team unless they’re in dire straits. Kakko played himself off the team. Panarin isn’t going anywhere and he’s kind of like the Kessel situation where he’s a good player but he won’t be THE guy to put you over the top. Wheeler is gone, the 2 Temu deadline pickups will be gone, Gus will be gone, Lindgren will probably be brought back thus leaving the third d left side position being the only d change. Othmann will probably play on the third line to start next season unless he really struggles in pre season. Cuylle will be better because he looks gassed right now, question is whether he will play on the third or fourth line. That’s going to leave an open a lot at first line right wing for what feels like the millionth time. I can see the Rangers doing another Wheeler type deal signing a vet to league minimum and hoping to plug the hole.

This is true.

As good as Igor has been (I know you always want the goalie to allow 0 goals sometimes but whatever)

With that said, I have said this for years now that I don't believe any goalie is worth the contract Igor is going to ask for. It will hamper our roster construction moving forward.

So we have to figure something out. But this is a major concern of mine as well

 

[DelZottoHitTheNetJK]

I'm so sick of people shitting on the one guy who keeps trying to stand on his head this series when he's getting shelled game in and game out with a defense in front of him that might as well be pylons. The Panthers have recorded almost 50 more shots than us this series and if it was 100 you guys would STILL want him to somehow be Jesus and keep stealing games hoping it will get us a cup win. It just sounds delusional.

I'm tired of saying it and apparently everyone's tired of hearing it so here's an ex NHL goalie saying word for word verbatim what I'm saying. I'm just a guy on the Internet but this is the definitive angle. If you don't agree after this, sounds good. I'm getting sick of our world class goalies not being able to will a team to a Stanley cup.

 

[PuckLuck3043]

The Rangers are going to have a bunch of huge decisions to make this summer and next summer. Igor needs help because he can’t do it all. With that being said, my fear is they’re gonna sign Igor to a huge deal which will impact the rest of the roster structure. I’ve it said before but I doubt Drury does anything this summer. We all know the problems and issues but I doubt the team sees them and even if they did I don’t think Drury has the balls to address them. Trouba will be back, Mika will definitely be back, Goodrow probably played himself back onto the team unless they’re in dire straits. Kakko played himself off the team. Panarin isn’t going anywhere and he’s kind of like the Kessel situation where he’s a good player but he won’t be THE guy to put you over the top. Wheeler is gone, the 2 Temu deadline pickups will be gone, Gus will be gone, Lindgren will probably be brought back thus leaving the third d left side position being the only d change. Othmann will probably play on the third line to start next season unless he really struggles in pre season. Cuylle will be better because he looks gassed right now, question is whether he will play on the third or fourth line. Chytil should be healthy and back up to speed. Chytil being out not only hurt the depth of the team but him being out of action for so long has only hurt the team. I think if Chytil had played all year going into this series the Rangers might be in a better position because the bottom 6 minus Goodrow hasn’t provide much game in game out. There’s going to be an open a lot at first line right wing for what feels like the millionth time. I can see the Rangers doing another Wheeler type deal signing a vet to league minimum and hoping to plug the hole.

I disagree. I think there are going to be a lot of changes, some of them big, and many on D. Drury is watching and probably not liking some aspects of the team this series. How can you watch Trouba and say "I want to bring that guy back"? It will be an active summer for Drury.

 

[bondra]

Few thoughts from an outsider's perspective who has watched few matches this season.
I said about two years ago that you wont win Stanley Cup with Zib as an 1C. Its that critical position in icehockey. Trochek is more 1C than Zib is with his abilities to play hockey.

Building a team is more than getting bunch of individuals. I think Drury kind of realized it after getting Tarasenko and Kane, but cant still get my head around for getting Roslovic and Wennberg.

Interesting to see when this team will have a superstar center.

 

[PuckLuck3043]

I'm tired of saying it and apparently everyone's tired of hearing it so here's an ex NHL goalie saying word for word verbatim what I'm saying. I'm just a guy on the Internet but this is the definitive angle. If you don't agree after this, sounds good. I'm getting sick of our world class goalies not being able to will a team to a Stanley cup.

You need good goaltending to win the cup but you need a supporting cast as well. Igor has given up a weak goal or 2 this series but he has more than made up for it with his overall performance of stealing games and keeping every other game close. When was the last time a goalie put a team on his back and won a series or cup without some sort of support from other top players on the team. I can't remember. Panarin, Mika, and Kreider have exactly 1 goal combined in 5 games. The team has scored 1 PP goal. They have been hemmed in their zone for long stretches. You can't win a series that way.

 

[80shockeywasbuns]

He really did nothing ballsy to help this team win. He's a dino coach.

People go “well we changed the coach and still lost so it must be the core!” even though they literally just hire the same exact person over and over again with the same biases and lack of real adjustments and go down in the same fashion with the same players in the same roles.

 

[DelZottoHitTheNetJK]

You need good goaltending to win the cup but you need a supporting cast as well. Igor has given up a weak goal or 2 this series but he has more than made up for it with his overall performance of stealing games and keeping every other game close. When was the last time a goalie put a team on his back and won a series or cup without some sort of support from other top players on the team. I can't remember. Panarin, Mika, and Kreider have exactly 1 goal combined in 5 games. The team has scored 1 PP goal. They have been hemmed in their zone for long stretches. You can't win a series that way.

Agree with all the above. None of it is unexpected though against this Florida team. They give up nothing.

If you told me a week ago that trio would have 1 goal combined thru 5 games I would've been like yeah makes sense Florida is going to absolutely smother those guys.

People think our top forwards have been trash but that's what Florida does. Zibanejad however has been mostly an abomination and that extends from his regular season as well.

Goalie has to be locked in 100% of the time to beat this team. This was by far the worst game Florida played all series. It was effectively a gift and Igor gave up 2 back breakers on home ice and now it's basically curtains.