GDT: Game # 79 - New York Rangers @ St. Louis Blues - 8pm EST, MSG

[NYROrtsFan]

Just stay healthy... Not caring much about wins. Also keep rolling lines.

Fully expect Kane to play, I could see them not giving him both games in a back to back. Even though his mobility has taken a big hit, I still view Kane as a wildcard for the playoffs. There's gonna be a game where we are struggling and he'll make something happen.

 

[Machinehead]

The fact that he is even in a position for you to say that seems unreal. He has missed on so many of the net front goals/deflections that he was scoring on last year.

He obviously had a high shooting percentage last year but he shot so much more than previous years and the analytics back up his performance.

It gets written off as a luck year but he doesn't get enough credit for how good it actually was.

I think he's performing similarly this year, just with bad puck luck instead of normal puck luck.

 

[mrmovies779]

Keep Trouba out the rest of the way.Let him get some much needed rest before the real season begins.Start resting guys the rest of the way.wins-losses dont matter at this point-avoiding injuries is

 

[turcotte8]

When does Blais score? First shift or 3rd period game winner? Both?

 

[Machinehead]

When does Blais score? First shift or 3rd period game winner? Both?

First 7-goal game since Joe Malone in 1920.

 

[fm]

win this one for vladdy

 

[will1066]

When does Blais score? First shift or 3rd period game winner? Both?

 

[Fitzy]

f*** man Blais is 19 in 27 games since the trade.

I'm happy for him but what the hell?

 

[Oscar Lindberg]

f*** man Blais is 19 in 27 games since the trade.

I'm happy for him but what the hell?

Nah f*** that guy for real lol

I’m gonna be salty about him for a while

 

[Levitate]

He obviously had a high shooting percentage last year but he shot so much more than previous years and the analytics back up his performance.

It gets written off as a luck year but he doesn't get enough credit for how good it actually was.

I think he's performing similarly this year, just with bad puck luck instead of normal puck luck.

yeah it's funny to think of all the times he's had perfect positioning to deflect a puck and it just doesn't go in like it was for him last year, yet he still probably has an absurd number of goals from doing that. Hitting posts, just missing, amazing goalie saves, with even a bit of luck he scores 40 at least this year.

re: Blais...I mean, ultimately f*** it. He was out a whole year, the Rangers gave him plenty of chances to get back into after his injury, maybe he's just finally feeling healthy and has his feet back under him but I don't think the Rangers made a mistake by trading him back. I think he cools off considerably next year or gets hurt again

 

[NYRangers0723]

The fact that he is even in a position for you to say that seems unreal. He has missed on so many of the net front goals/deflections that he was scoring on last year.

He has had a lot of bad puck luck. A lot of posts and I think 3 disallowed goals. The fact that he still had 35 goals is really something. But overall he has had another string year. Maybe not 59 goals again but his defense and PK has gotten stronger. Reminds me of what Rick Nash said at his retirement. He was known for scoring goals until Hitchcock starting using him on the PK and he flourished. Same thing with CK and Gallant

 

[Peltz]

f*** man Blais is 19 in 27 games since the trade.

I'm happy for him but what the hell?

He never got off the ground here because of the leg, and even after he got healthy as of late, there is a good chance the benefit of the doubt in the locker room was gone. That could mess with a guy's confidence.

I don't hold him personally responsible. Sometimes people need a new start to succeed. Playing well is all about momentum and confidence. And he just didn't have that here.

I don't blame Drury either. This is the Blais he traded for originally when the team was trying to get tougher. He may have become this for us if not for PK Subban.

Trading him back for Tank is better for all parties involved.

 

[will1066]

f*** man Blais is 19 in 27 games since the trade.

I'm happy for him but what the hell?

Could be the environment. Could be life outside hockey in NYC. Could be that he (and lots of other players) does better in a more structured system than the free-flowing Rangers.

 

[Raspewtin]

Could be the environment. Could be life outside hockey in NYC. Could be that he (and lots of other players) does better in a more structured system than the free-flowing Rangers.

i don’t disagree with this in principle but st louis is one of the worst teams in the league lol

 

[will1066]

i don’t disagree with this in principle but st louis is one of the worst teams in the league lol

Still more structured than us lol

 

[Ruggs225]

Travelled with the team to St. Louis so I'd think that rules out a concussion. That was my main worry. Looks to be a jaw/mouth issue for him.

Thank u for update. Hopefully nothing too serious.

 

[Zynbanejad]

f*** man Blais is 19 in 27 games since the trade.

I'm happy for him but what the hell?

They're deploying him properly

 

[will1066]

Travelled with the team to St. Louis so I'd think that rules out a concussion. That was my main worry. Looks to be a jaw/mouth issue for him.

Yeah, it looks like the left side of his face smacked the ice surface when he fell.

 

[Crease]

Blais and Buchnevich are guaranteed to score. Hopefully Tank outscores them.

 

[Gluten Free Breadman]

Niko with two apples tonight

 

[duhmetreE]

Tank should have a monster game

 

[tlk]

Scheduling strikes again.

 

[Leonardo87]

They're deploying him properly

That and also there is less pressure on him. A lot of players struggle playing in NYC, some can’t get enough of it but others tend to not play as well.

I’m happy he is doing well for the Blues, it just didn’t work out here. Been loving Tarasenko and Mikkola has been very good for us. I call it a win win trade for both teams.

 

[will1066]

"I want to do this. Not just for me, but for Tanaka, my Shidoshi, too." @Leonardo87

Saint Louis Blues...

 

[PuckLuck3043]

He never got off the ground here because of the leg, and even after he got healthy as of late, there is a good chance the benefit of the doubt in the locker room was gone. That could mess with a guy's confidence.

I don't hold him personally responsible. Sometimes people need a new start to succeed. Playing well is all about momentum and confidence. And he just didn't have that here.

I don't blame Drury either. This is the Blais he traded for originally when the team was trying to get tougher. He may have become this for us if not for PK Subban.

Trading him back for Tank is better for all parties involved.

Exactly this. It's not the "Rangers can't develop forwards" nonsense. There were a lot of factors at play with him. If he didn't get slew footed he would have been a very nice player for us IMO.