Post-Game Talk: Leafs at Rangers 12/23/2013

[Boruto]

Have the lines been consistent in the last two games? I am under the impression that a new line up was introduced for the Minnesota game.

 

[The Lunatic Fridge]

Actually, Miller and Pouliot appear to have some really good chemistry and both seem to play a lot better when they're on the ice together.

I was just talking about faulk not the team itself.

 

[Glennsoe]

Still don't Get why or how Steps was voted one of the stars of the game and not zuke..

 

[McRanger]

Still don't Get why or how Steps was voted one of the stars of the game and not zuke..

He had the game winning goal. In a sense. People often just write GWG in place of a players name.

I doubt anyone would actually vote for Stepan. He was awful. Again.

 

[Kokoschka]

I thought DZ looked more confident, especially when rushing the puck. Hope he keeps this up, this version of him is a very capable top-4 defender.

Should've won in regulation and by a higher margin, but Bernier was great. Oh well, 2 wins in a row, I'll take it.

 

[egelband]

For the record, I hate this league. I love this sport, but, this league remains a farce.

been saying this exactly for years... mlb mainly gets it right... that's probably the only one. but the nhl is definitely worse than the nba and nfl.

 

[JRinNYC]

Random question but does anyone know what song was playing before the shootout started? It was an EDM song and I've heard it multiple times but don't know the name and it's driving me insane

Was it this song? They play this song a lot at MSG.

 

[Ola]

Could someone give some love for Brassard. He's been outstanding the last two games. And since they've been using the Boyle/Dorsett/moore combo to defense the first line, so the other lines can attack, it's been a different team.

If only Nash and Stepan weren't stinking up the ice, this could be a dynamite team ready to go on a real run.

Couldn't agree more.

People threat Brassard kind if square. Is he a future great top 2 line center? Nah, ok let's dump him.

He is playing with a lot of speed out there and is making plays. He is bound to be a bit inconsistent, but so what. Having a player like that in a top 5-8 role or whatever is definitely a strength for a team.

 

[Ola]

Del Zotto is the designated whipping boy for many, but most games since Staal went down MDZ has played perfectly well.

Some will focus on the one or two default plays he made, but those aye where he avoids the forecheck and gets us out of our own end are so valuble in the game today.

 

[Ola]

McD was SICK yesterday.

Sure, Minny and Toronto didn't get going. But a guy like McD on a regular also shuts down any attempt for them to get going.

 

[Ola]

Another reason for Minny and Toronto struggling against us is our depth. Our 4the played really well those teams top line. Hags-Miller-Poo has won momentum when they have been on the ice. Brass-BR-Zucc has been awesome and Kreids-Step-Nash have had the initiative when they have been on the ice.

 

[HatTrick Swayze]

Maybe one day the Rangers will figure out that the best way to keep players from poking one in around the net is to knock a guy on his ass. Boyle getting physical with the post and barking at the ref...joke.

As bad as that call was, you are perfectly correct.

If that play is blown dead like it should have been / is always, and Boyle puts Kadri on his ass, there is a damn good chance he goes to the box in that scenario. I know it's fun to call Boyle out for being soft but that is a no win scenario. Play should have been blown dead.

 

[JESSEWENEEDTOCOOK]

Great game Nash.... Going down the Drury/Gomez road real quick, ey?

I'll take a 30pt Drury over this current version of Nash tbh. At least he had guts and was a legit leader. Love that guy.

 

[Ola]

If only Nash and Stepan weren't stinking up the ice, this could be a dynamite team ready to go on a real run.

This is not a line that is well componented (Kreids-Step-Nash).

Kreids and Nash has little or no chemistry. Step spends a lot of time covering for the others but isn't exactly patching things up.

Zucc got Kreider going and is getting BR and Brassard going right now.

Our first is not finding ways so that the players on it can play to their strengths. Nash and Kreider are both spreading pucks around without much thought behind it. That makes it hard for them to really find those openings.

When Cally comes back, I would consider reuniting Hags-Step-Cally and play Miller with Kreids and Nash. The later line could work out well if Kreids and Miller keeps developing. Avery-Dubi-JJ style.

 

[Ola]

Richards is playing his best hockey as a Ranger right now IMO. He is finding a role on the PP. He is locking things up on 5 on 5.

 

[RangerBoy]

Someone realized JT Miller is best suited for the middle of the ice. The Rangers brass felt Miller's game was a center's game. Clark made that statement when the Rangers selected Miller in 2011. Vigneault was either too stubborn or he didn't trust the player playing center because the Rangers wasted their time and the player's time putting him on the wing. I am sure he knew Miller was playing at center in the AHL. The team would call him up and put him on the wing. First on the left side and then the right side. Let Miller grow and establish his game in the NHL at center. You have Kreider and then Miller. Two young forwards with size. The Rangers need more players like them. The Rangers are half way to figuring out their center ice position with Stepan and Miller as long as Miller gets the opportunity.

 

[Rangers ftw]

If his name wasn't Nash, he'd be on the 4th line or AHL. But in order to succeed we need to get him going. I'd however take him away from the spotlight and the pressure. Swap him with Hags and see if he can find his game with less ice time.

Another good game by Zucc&Brass. Defence was good, MCD really good. Annoying goal, but it is what it is.

 

[Ola]

Stepan has been terrible . Lol it's been almost half a season and he hasn't snapped out of it.

What really annoys me is that this player held out for more money like he was so deserving , mean while when del Zotto was up for contract he resigned quick and quietly for a real good deal for us and everyone gets on him . Not that I'm saying DZ has been good or I'm a fan boy but peoples views here are so biasis some time

Btw zucc has been amazing so far , def. most consistent Ranger . I can only imagine him on a team like Chicago with actual scorers that he could set up

You guys need to give Nash and Stepan a break.

I mean, no offence, but it really is just stupid to target one or two or three whipping boys on a team -- team -- that is facing as much turmoil as we are right now.

-Our defense is struggling mightly.

-Our goalie is throwing pucks into his own net.

-We have fundamentally changed style on the ice.

-Kreider and Stepan has never played well together. Ever.

-Stepan and Nash has never played well together. Ever.

-Kreider and Nash has never played well together. Ever.

-None of these guys has found a role on the PP which would let them build up confidence.

-Nash is playing under the above conditioned in a city where he faces a ton of superstar expectations and is fighting it a bit overall right now.

-Nash has had concussion problems lately.

You know, I have a hard time at times trying to figure out what people are expecting from some of our players. This is the NHL, it don't matter if you are AO or Towes or whomever, it's not an easy league to score in. Nobody does it individually. You need to be patient.

 

[Fanned On It]

You guys need to give Nash and Stepan a break.

I mean, no offence, but it really is just stupid to target one or two or three whipping boys on a team -- team -- that is facing as much turmoil as we are right now.

-Our defense is struggling mightly.

-Our goalie is throwing pucks into his own net.

-We have fundamentally changed style on the ice.

-Kreider and Stepan has never played well together. Ever.

-Stepan and Nash has never played well together. Ever.

-Kreider and Nash has never played well together. Ever.

-None of these guys has found a role on the PP which would let them build up confidence.

-Nash is playing under the above conditioned in a city where he faces a ton of superstar expectations and is fighting it a bit overall right now.

-Nash has had concussion problems lately.

You know, I have a hard time at times trying to figure out what people are expecting from some of our players. This is the NHL, it don't matter if you are AO or Towes or whomever, it's not an easy league to score in. Nobody does it individually. You need to be patient.

Most of your points are valid but at that point you're just making excuses for him. Nash has to be better. That's the bottom line. If you want to talk about the line not having chemistry then that is fine. They're going to have to start developing chemistry, though. Keep 'em together. I think they can work. They just have to start getting it together.

 

[Kokoschka]

Poo's play of late really has helped this team. I was kinda tired yesterday, but I thought I saw him play a real solid backcheck a time or two. If we find ourselves down and out by February, we might snatch something good for him if he keeps it up.

 

[Rangers ftw]

You guys need to give Nash and Stepan a break.

I mean, no offence, but it really is just stupid to target one or two or three whipping boys on a team -- team -- that is facing as much turmoil as we are right now.

-Our defense is struggling mightly.

-Our goalie is throwing pucks into his own net.

-We have fundamentally changed style on the ice.

-Kreider and Stepan has never played well together. Ever.

-Stepan and Nash has never played well together. Ever.

-Kreider and Nash has never played well together. Ever.

-None of these guys has found a role on the PP which would let them build up confidence.

-Nash is playing under the above conditioned in a city where he faces a ton of superstar expectations and is fighting it a bit overall right now.

-Nash has had concussion problems lately.

You know, I have a hard time at times trying to figure out what people are expecting from some of our players. This is the NHL, it don't matter if you are AO or Towes or whomever, it's not an easy league to score in. Nobody does it individually. You need to be patient.

- He knew that when he signed here, or accepted to be traded here.

- If he still have concussion related issues, then he should inform coaching staff so they can either rest him or not put him out on the 1st line, 1st PP unit.

- I expect our highest paid player to perform more or less every game, not giving the puck away like candy on Halloween.

2 goals and a total of 5 points in his last 10 games is not good enough for Nash, I know it, you know and Nash def knows it. He is on pace for 55 points, and we all know that is simply not good enough considering he's the only 100% 1st line player we've got and he is on the 1st PP unit every night. Richards wasn't given any slack last season, Zucc and Kreider wasn't in the beginning of the season, neither should Nash be given any.

 

[Ilovemymum]

Love Talbot. Really hope he signs a long term deal, but will he be comfortable as a backup for the best part of his career? What's his contract status? He certainly brings a much needed calm defensively when Hank is struggling. His positioning is amazing.

 

[Ghost of jas]

Ola, I'm not sure what you're watching, but, Kreider and Stepan have had chemistry with each other since Kreider first arrived two years ago. That line has had its share of dominant play since being put together. I guess Kreider's hat trick is a distant memory.

 

[BBKers]

- He knew that when he signed here, or accepted to be traded here.

- If he still have concussion related issues, then he should inform coaching staff so they can either rest him or not put him out on the 1st line, 1st PP unit.

- I expect our highest paid player to perform more or less every game, not giving the puck away like candy on Halloween.

2 goals and a total of 5 points in his last 10 games is not good enough for Nash, I know it, you know and Nash def knows it. He is on pace for 55 points, and we all know that is simply not good enough considering he's the only 100% 1st line player we've got and he is on the 1st PP unit every night. Richards wasn't given any slack last season, Zucc and Kreider wasn't in the beginning of the season, neither should Nash be given any.

Rick Nash is the latest of a long line of elite players that wind up to end their very well paid and secured NHL careers on a miserable note in NYC. Do not go the road of excusing "distractions". Because I see very few real acceptable excuses. The typical signs are all there plain to envision - the complacent, shuddering wheels, lackadaisical, care free Country Club BS attitude. Pathetic to see. The guy is getting top dollar in the league. But could care less on the ice. Same thing for Richards but his wheels are all but gone. If they both were not a good old boys they would be crucified by now. Now they get all kinds of excuses from all kinds of angles from the apologists. Nonetheless I think Nash should be dealt if possible this year/offseason. Detroit would be a good fit. Or San Jose.

 

[JCrusher*]

This is not a line that is well componented (Kreids-Step-Nash).

Kreids and Nash has little or no chemistry. Step spends a lot of time covering for the others but isn't exactly patching things up.

Zucc got Kreider going and is getting BR and Brassard going right now.

Our first is not finding ways so that the players on it can play to their strengths. Nash and Kreider are both spreading pucks around without much thought behind it. That makes it hard for them to really find those openings.

When Cally comes back, I would consider reuniting Hags-Step-Cally and play Miller with Kreids and Nash. The later line could work out well if Kreids and Miller keeps developing. Avery-Dubi-JJ style.

Zucc didnt get kreider going. kreider started playing great the first game after his callup. he wasnt paired with Zucc until until a few games after