Post-Game Talk: Grounded

[Alluckks]

Vaakanainen has always been just above replacement level and that's fine. His charts have never looked like a murder was committed.

Borgen was having a dogshit season but he's also had seasons where I'd go so far as to say he was downright good. The change of scenery seems to have him cooking again.

Miller has historically been part of some pretty good pairings when he is not with a complete boat anchor. Even was Trouba was okay several seasons ago their pair was good then. Miller/Schneider was good, and Miller/Fox was a legit top pair.

Borgen being solid is perfectly fine.

And it seems Schneider just needs not a grenade next to him to carry a pair.

Our defense pairings are practically playing even 1/3 splits right now for TOI

 

[SnowblindNYR]

Miller has historically been part of some pretty good pairings when he is not with a complete boat anchor. Even was Trouba was okay several seasons ago their pair was good then. Miller/Schneider was good, and Miller/Fox was a legit top pair.

Borgen being solid is perfectly fine.

And it seems Schneider just needs not a grenade next to him to carry a pair.

Our defense pairings are practically playing even 1/3 splits right now for TOI

If half the board had its way we would have traded him and seen him become an absolute force somewhere else. And then it'd all be "f*** Drury!" and "fire Drury!"

 

[AlaBlueShirt]

 

[Gordon Bombay]

Did anyone notice a huge scar on Borgens neck in a recent interview? It turns out he was cut with a skate during a game when he was 17, just barely missing his cartotid artery.

A little higher up and he would've been a cyborgen

 

[94leetch]

Boyle's take on the Rempe effect on the latest podcast is hilarious. He put doubters on notice.

 

[LOFIN]

Noice

 

[Psycho for Perreault]

If half the board had its way we would have traded him and seen him become an absolute force somewhere else. And then it'd all be "f*** Drury!" and "fire Drury!"

If some people had their way we would bench Igor every time he lets in a goal.

 

[leetch99]

The tank commanders are not happy…..

Tank next year....after a Cup win. We would not even have to work it at we would be so Cup Drunk . Then we get to draft McKenna and really tick a lot of teams off .

 

[kovazub94]

Sam Carrick was a fantastic signing

And R Smith even mostly unsung have been better than any iteration of 2RW from the last season. Between “exchange” of Goodrow for Smith (cap-wise) and signing of Carrick to replace Goodrow as 4C were really shrewd moves by Drury.

 

[McRanger92]

And R Smith even mostly unsung have been better than any iteration of 2RW from the last season. Between “exchange” of Goodrow for Smith (cap-wise) and signing of Carrick to replace Goodrow as 4C were really shrewd moves by Drury.

I would not be looking to sell Reilly or Borgen and, in fact, would be talking extension with both. Lindgren is the guy to sell off.

 

[Gardner McKay]

I watched the 2010s Capitals put together absolute powerhouse teams just to blow it in the first two rounds every single year.

Then the one time they actually win the Cup its their worst iteration of themselves. The discount costume Party City Capitals. It was stupid as hell to watch.

Basically what I'm saying is, there's definitely precedent lol.

If Bob believes, I believe.

 

[Gardner McKay]

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Well, if we are lucky enough to make it that far. It would appear as if we have our playoff avatar theme this year

 

[McRanger92]

I watched the 2010s Capitals put together absolute powerhouse teams just to blow it in the first two rounds every single year.

Then the one time they actually win the Cup its their worst iteration of themselves. The discount costume Party City Capitals. It was stupid as hell to watch.

Basically what I'm saying is, there's definitely precedent lol.

These Rangers need the regular season adversity. It's no shock that they boat went sideways after going 7-0 to start last years playoffs. The remake of the team on the fly should continue to be the narrative. No reason they can't be very in the mix. I can tell you the Devils and canes don't want to face Igor in the playoffs.

 

[Clark Kellogg]

We are so use to non-physical defensemen that Will Borgen has become the one-eyed man in the land of the blind.
Think back to not to long ago when Brendan Smith was the d-man that we were all gushing over. He was given a 4 year deal that aged like tuna fish left out in the Summer sun.
Sell, Sell, Sell

 

[DialUp]

If half the board had its way we would have traded him and seen him become an absolute force somewhere else. And then it'd all be "f*** Drury!" and "fire Drury!"

I still wouldn't mind Miller being traded. He was very good against both Ottawa and Philly, which has been OUT OF CHARACTER for the past few years. His first year might have been his best. For every good game, I get PTSD from 10 other games where he can't clear the zone or passes to the opps.

If he plays this way the rest of the year, then great! But winners need consistency. The whole team is playing better, but it needs to be consistent the rest of the way out.

Drury needs to make tough decisions regardless. They never should have been in a position where they have to fight for their life the rest of the way just to make wild card.

 

[Gordon Bombay]

We are so use to non-physical defensemen that Will Borgen has become the one-eyed man in the land of the blind.
Think back to not to long ago when Brendan Smith was the d-man that we were all gushing over. He was given a 4 year deal that aged like tuna fish left out in the Summer sun.
Sell, Sell, Sell

I know I just used it, but that was there for the taking…

 

[TGWL]

Great game by the defence.

Cuylle had a couple of real good chances. That would have bumped him up a bit if he converted.

 

[FoxysExpensiveNYDigs]

Great game by the defence.

15 mil for Kreider and Zib is a war crime. They've each had little blips of decent play but overall have been awful. This team is winning despite them.

 

[Jack Hanson]

I would contend that regular season record isnt important and just making the playoffs is what matters. As an example look at 2023 where the Bruins had 135 points best record in nhl history and were eliminated 1st round of playoffs much to their fans dismay. And that same year the Panthers with a mere 92 points, entering the post season via the wild card were able to make it all the way to the Stanley Cup finals.

Though they lost to the Golden Knights, the next year they won it all.

I love this team we have now, though agree Mika, Kreider and Lindgren are the weak links in the chain. We still have a lot of great offensive pieces and critically (unlike last year and earlier this year) we have a defensive line up that really works. Might not be high $ all stars but it works. plus our superstar Igor has been on a streak of his own. I love Vaak, Borgen, Rempe, Edstrom and Carrick as new full time additions to the lineup and we're demonstrating just how good we are. Lets hope our mojo keeps rising and the good vibes continue.

 

[McRanger92]

Cuylle had a couple of real good chances. That would have bumped him up a bit if he converted.

Believe he is also banged up. He limped off the ice after a shift in the Ottawa game and seems to be favoring his ankle. He's a gamer though. Dubinsky esque player.

 

[Larrybiv]

How ironic would it be if after all we've been through the past couple of decades, we finally won a Stanley Cup in this kind of weirdass season?

Pretty much my theory. They gave all they had last reg season to win the Donald Trump Cup. Then experienced what we all know to be PO hockey. Ran out of gas vs Panthers.
So, why oh why repeat that? I believe that very early success this year, misled them into thinking that all they had to do was step on the ice.

Sorry, doesn't work that way. Yeah the Trouba issue and then trading a team fave in KK, oh yeah and also the Kreider screw up by Drury, which added to the spiraling down to the basement. Rock bottom.

Solidifying the defense with Borgen (over Trouba) was key. Speaking of KEY......k'Andre just might finally be getting it. Cousin Larry in his podcast with Molly and Boyler mentioned that after Key's giveaway costing a win vs Dallas could have been a benching, but Lavy chose to stick with him. Key KNOWS he screwed up and has been dynamite since.

In fact, the Rangers have since remembered how to win. Better late than never.

So yeah, you have to be in it to win it. Maybe all that slacking off and now turning it on, will result in an amazing Trump Cup victory.

Oh and btw, win these next 2 games, and all of a sudden we are only 4 points behind the Devils. Go figure.

 

[NYRFANMANI]

Imma keep pouting and being pessimistic.

Seems to work wonders.

 

[KevinFinnerty]

Are we in a playoff position or not yet

 

[Larrybiv]

I would contend that regular season record isnt important and just making the playoffs is what matters. As an example look at 2023 where the Bruins had 135 points best record in nhl history and were eliminated 1st round of playoffs much to their fans dismay. And that same year the Panthers with a mere 92 points, entering the post season via the wild card were able to make it all the way to the Stanley Cup finals.

Though they lost to the Golden Knights, the next year they won it all.

I love this team we have now, though agree Mika, Kreider and Lindgren are the weak links in the chain. We still have a lot of great offensive pieces and critically (unlike last year and earlier this year) we have a defensive line up that really works. Might not be high $ all stars but it works. plus our superstar Igor has been on a streak of his own. I love Vaak, Borgen, Rempe, Edstrom and Carrick as new full time additions to the lineup and we're demonstrating just how good we are. Lets hope our mojo keeps rising and the good vibes continue.

Hey @Jack Hanson, take a peek at my last post. Says 24 minute difference, but believe iiit took me that long to get my thoughts together while I was looking at the standings. YOUR post is exactly where I went with mine, and that thpought of the Bruins year had crossed my mind, and didn't the Lightning have something similar a year or 2 before the Bruins?
Anyway, just wanted to say I wasn't mimmicking your words, I quoted @FoxyClean way way early in this thread, which kind of proves my innocence, lol.

 

[will1066]

Are we in a playoff position or not yet

We're a point out of a spot.