Post-Game Talk: ligjt

[GENESISPuck94]

Hopefully everyone had a good sleep to get their heads back on straight after a tough loss.

This team has had an amazing season and made it farther than we ever expected them to. They are 2 games from the finals. Who wouldn't have taken that at the beginning of the year? We were just hoping to make it to the playoffs, maybe win a round.

We are now up against possibly the greatest team since the 80's Islanders. A dynasty in the making. They know how to win. You can see it in their adjustments and the way they "legally cheat." This is what the Kings were like back when we lost to them and a higher-level version of what the Staal/McD/Hank led Rangers were as well. The champions have had to adjust to US. Think about that for a second. The Rangers dominated them so badly in games 1 & 2, that they decided to just play trap, NZ style hockey in order to get into a game of "whoever makes the first mistake." Unfortunately, we have a very young team and are usually the ones who make those first mistakes. But it's an incredible sign that we pushed them into that type of game and even once they adjusted, games 3 & 5 could have easily gone our way. And we will learn. We will become the team that can win those games.

Our team, one of the youngest in the entire league, has hung with them nearly every game. Last night, they were the better team. They got the short end of the stick because of unlucky bounces, both against us in the O-Zone and for them in our D-Zone. How can you be mad at them for that? This series could very easily be 3-2 the other way, hell even 4-1.

The major difference in these two teams is one has a window that is opening. Now, our young guys have at least 20 games of tough playoff battles under their belts. Their hunger will increase. We've seen early 20's players rise to the occasion and prove they have the mettle for the playoffs. Chytil, K'andre, Fox, Laf and yes, even KK at times. Igor has also proven he can handle the load of a deep run (although he does need to get those shutouts once in a while).

This is not to say the series is over, but it is to say that whatever happens Saturday & Tuesday, we had an amazing year and hopefully it's just the start of something bigger. The pieces are in place. We've played THE TEAM of the past several years right to the edge.

There is nothing to lose the next game or hopefully two. I hope the boys leave it all on the ice, but whatever happens, happens. The future is bright and we got more out of this season than I'd ever imagined.

LGR

Agree 10000%

 

[huerter]

Trouba isn't young. What's his excuse?

 

[Governor]

Their defense woke up. Check out Vallys scoring chances charts, we get no HDCs

No doubt. Idk if I'm correct feeling this way but I do recall and feel Vasi stood on his head a bit in that first period. I felt it could've been like 3-0 Rangers if it werent for him

 

[NikC]

No doubt. Idk if I'm correct feeling this way but I do recall and feel Vasi stood on his head a bit in that first period. I felt it could've been like 3-0 Rangers if it werent for him

Chytl missed a deflection on a wide open net.

another shift, they were pressing hard, Vasi made a save and the puck bounced right out in front of him...

The officials blew the play dead, with the puck in play. Why? Game 5 of the ECF and this is the BS we see?

No excuse for this

 

[PuckLuck3043]

It absolutely looks like he did. POS.

 

[Boris Zubov]

I'm 51. I've been going to sporting events since I was taken to Shea Stadium as a 4 or 5 year old to see the Yankees during the stadium reconstruction. I was still a child when I went to MSG for my first Ranger game in 1979, during the heyday of the blue seat chants. I can remember a lot of absolute vulgar stuff that was yelled at those games, BUT, at the core of those chants and songs was dark humor. Attacking Denis Potvin's sexuality or his driving skills or something directed toward a team or player OTHER than "you suck" seemed to be actually less directly offensive toward an opposing fan.

I have held season tickets in some form for the Carolina Hurricanes and NC State Wolfpack football. I have attended tons of games home and away. I have witnessed countless acts of just plain stupidity by fans of my team and fans of the opponent, usually after a really close game, where someone wins because of luck, a call, a spectacular play, or something along those lines. It used to be a fan from the opposing team would come up to you and say "tough one" , "we escaped", "great game", "thanks for coming". I'd be the same way. Recently, and I'll preface that by saying over the last 15 years or so, the words "suck" and "we kicked your ass" seem to have replaced the cordial conversation following the game. I remember being down in Tallahassee in 2003 for the State - Florida State game that went into double OT. FSU escaped. I walked down the ramps with an FSU fan who had to be the nicest guy thanking me for coming, saying how impressed he was with NC State and our fans, and that they were lucky and if the game was played next week, he would think NC State would win. Those days are GONE!

These days the ticket prices are pure insanity. You have in game arena entertainment that goes out of the way to attack opposing FANS. If it were up to me, jumbotrons would only show the score and replays. You have the work SUCK thrown around 200 times. You suck, they suck, Rangers suck, we're kicking your ass, etc. There's never a creative or even classic chant that makes people LAUGH. It's not so much fun as it's gut wrenching rooting for your team. Throw completely incompetent or corrupted officiating into the mix along with gambling. The atmosphere sometimes is closer to a powderkeg rather than a sporting event. It just isn't the same any more.

Last game I went to was the first Rangers - Hurricanes game this season in Raleigh back in January. Only reasons there weren't any incidents were the sheer number of Rangers fans and it was snowing badly so people were more concerned about getting home than antagonizing each other.

The Charlotte FC match in May wasn't that bad but it's basically second tier soccer and the fanbase hasn't really been established.

We're about the same age, I was born in '71, & we've shared a bunch of our experiences attending MSG since the 80s several times. I have no doubt we probably ran into one another in the corridors of the Garden at some point.

NYC crowds were usually pretty standard even until I moved out of the city in 2007...you pretty much knew what to expect. Loud, obnoxious, but usually it was very orderly for the most part. Fights were usually reserved for Yanks-Sox or Rangers-Isles. Of all the years going to Shea, I can't recall any fights that stand out in my memory. I'm sure they were there, but I never felt like the situation was ever gonna get out of hand. I've only been to a few NFL games, but I'm sure that's a bad scene with all the tailgating.

When I became a VGK season ticket holder in 2017, the first half of the initial season was great. Only actual hockey fans were into attending the games, so the atmosphere was really chill. Once the team started winning & the frontrunners caught wind of it, it was an overnight shit show. Coincided with the Eagles winning the SB & the Flyer fans invading T-Mobile about a week later. After that the vibe at the arena was never the same.

Once the Knights went to the Finals, the drive by fans just took over. Instead of going to watch the games, people were all about their selfies, getting drunk & getting on the jumbotron dancing between whistles. T-Mobile arena literally became just another Vegas nightclub with music blasted at 120 decibels for douchebags to come party at. After going to 10-12 games the inaugural season, I went to 2 games total the next 3 seasons. I sold all of my seats except 2 games that my GF wanted to go to for her birthday.

Unfortunately, it's not just Vegas...my buddy who was at the game last night said the crowd was out of control all night with entitled pricks standing during play, people throwing beer at one another, etc. There's so many other things I'd rather spend a couple of grand on than deal with that scene.

 

[WojtekWolski86]

I can't imagine being in shape to start the season will have a negative impact on a players endurance throughout the season. By that rationale, no player should exercise during the offseason for fear of injury.

But yes, I agree with the second part. Can't always go to 7 games. It's dramatic and exciting, but it is tiring for sure.

The problem is this isn't all physical exhaustion. The guys playing through injuries and probably sore from all the battles, sure.

The bigger hurdle is the mental aspect. Giving 110% every shift, travel, the gravity of the game.

The regular season a puck battle could mean nothing. A game in Arizona that is the 7th game in 13 days while on the road you could mentally give in and say oh well get em next time.

Playing back against your walls, every battle every shift could mean the end of your season is mentally taxing. Just look at their reaction when Tampa scores. It's like their puppy died.

No quit in NY and all those comebacks can only last so long before the next hole feels like the grand canyon. After climbing it 20 times you can't do it again.

 

[Boris Zubov]

It absolutely looks like he did. POS.

Should be an automatic suspension. That's Marchand level douchebaggery.

 

[Kocur26]

11 minutes of ice time for the kids.

Completely inexcusable. So frustrating.

Gallant turned into a real fkn asshole

 

[Kravtsov420]

I will never blame our goalie unless it’s a Georgiev like performance. Sorry, but our goaltending is more than enough to win hockey games.

You want to blame someone? Blame the idiots in charge who implement the stretch pass offense with no one to go get the puck and then just collapse back in our own zone for 60 minutes where our goalie has to be the second coming of Jesus Christ every game.

Gallant has been nothing but outcoached so far in the playoffs. Great motivator, awful tactician. This team needs an X’s and O’s Coach.

He has the keys to the Lamborghini but drives it like a Sebring.

Mark my words, Gallant won’t last past next year.

 

[Kakko Schmakko]

Utter bullshit.

Fans become blissfully unaware that there's an opponent on the ice when their guys lose. Then again, they're blissfully unaware when their team wins, too.

The notion that there's no urgency by the Rangers is beyond stupid. Every one of them is trying as hard as they can. If trying was all it took, every game would be determined by the bounce of one puck.

I want them to win as much as anyone, but I understand that wanting and trying guarantees nothing.

The difference in quality scoring chances was greatly in favor of Tampa.

The Rangers were outplayed and lost. Nothing else happened.


Why on Earth would you want to keep Braun?

I love Motte, but he gets hurt so often that he's only worth a rental.

What is the reason for so many bad passes/breakouts where they just wanted nothing except dump the puck out of the D zone? You call that playing well? I call it garbage hockey and poor coaching.

 

[romba]

So Pitt def scared me more offensively than Tampa, that top line with Guentz and Crosby is just insane at rushes and finding room in the O zone. Crosby is other worldly at knowing everyone's location, momentum, and how he can manipulate things to find 4 feet of room for his teamates. And Guentzel knows him so well he knows exactly where to go and be found, and can finish with the best of them. But Tampa's team D is just on another level, and Vasi, while he had a rough start to the series, has turned it on- the sign of an elite goalie. Able to let a couple of poorer performances get behind him and then stop nearly everything he should, and a few he has no business stopping. That Zbad deflection off his skate/foot in game 4 was nuts- Vasi was way out of his crease with no reaction time but still made quick split and kick it out, it was completely ridiculous.

Igor hasn't looked bad, but he's getting beat on not a ton of high danger chances, and often is saved by the post, and also needs to figure out how to peek through screens a bit better. He has shown that ability when he was smoking hot earlier this year but is struggling a bit with that this series. I expect our next playoff appearance will show a much more mentally improved Igor. Adjusting on the fly is not easy, but summer rest, and using the reg. season to hone himself even more will do wonders I think.

This def sounds like a post-mortem, and maybe we can pull it out with our backs against the wall again. But Tampa is time tested, has weathered the storm, and they really play nasty and find a way. Not feeling confident (for the 3rd series in a row), hopefully the boys prove me wrong again and pull it out!

 

[GoAwayPanarin]

Should be an automatic suspension. That's Marchand level douchebaggery.

I'm not so sure that he did.

It was right in the refs sightline and there would have been a much bigger deal made over this had it happened.

 

[Fanatik]

@Lays so youd have done the same thing as that fan in the video, huh?

 

[romba]

What is the reason for so many bad passes/breakouts where they just wanted nothing except dump the puck out of the D zone? You call that playing well? I call it garbage hockey and poor coaching.

The other option is to try to force controlled zone entries and then face numerous odd man rushes the other way. Tampa is super responsible (aside from games 1 and 2) and there's no room in the NZ to break out with speed. Press too hard and they'll burn you fast.

Now the bigger question is how are other teams able to gain the zone with possession on us long enough to either whip it around the boards to the open man, or makea nifty pass or two to find space? Afterall, we're being defensively responsible too. That I'm not so sure about but I think our top lines tend to aim for quick high danger chances off our zone entries instead of just maintaining possession. Then we end up losing the puck and are chasing the play defensively, even when we originally break in the o zone with possession. Tampa is happy to play keep away with possession and if they turn it over we're flipping it out and doing zilch. Rinse and repeat.

 

[rangersfansince08]

@Lays so youd have done the same thing as that fan in the video, huh?

@Lays is an idiot but we don't need idiot Devils fans like you in our forum. So f*** off

 

[Kakko Schmakko]

The other option is to try to force controlled zone entries and then face numerous odd man rushes the other way. Tampa is super responsible (aside from games 1 and 2) and there's no room in the NZ to break out with speed. Press too hard and they'll burn you fast.

Now the bigger question is how are other teams able to gain the zone with possession on us long enough to either whip it around the boards to the open man, or makea nifty pass or two to find space? Afterall, we're being defensively responsible too. That I'm not so sure about but I think our top lines tend to aim for quick high danger chances off our zone entries instead of just maintaining possession. Then we end up losing the puck and are chasing the play defensively, even when we originally break in the o zone with possession. Tampa is happy to play keep away with possession and if they turn it over we're flipping it out and doing zilch. Rinse and repeat.

They have to hold the puck and look for a better pass to spring someone out of the D zone with speed, whipping it around the boards is a loser tactic and will not get us the Cup if that is all we Gerard is capable of then replace him ASAP. Another problem that might be causing this is poor or incorrect defensive coverage where they always have someone on top of them not giving them room to maneuver.

 

[NikC]

I'm not so sure that he did.

It was right in the refs sightline and there would have been a much bigger deal made over this had it happened.

Really? On a night when Tampa had to set a NYR player on fire for them to call a penalty?

 

[Clark Kellogg]

how bout stamkos spitting on laf? feel like thats getting completely overlooked. what a nerd, hope that whole bs at the end ignited a fire

If that’s true, Stamkos should get a one game suspension.
It was a long time ago but I believe John Ogrodnick received a game suspension for spitting on Gary Robert’s.
Of course there is one huge difference. Ogrodnick was playing for the Rangers and in the league’s eyes that an automatic 1 game suspension.

 

[Clark Kellogg]

I can't believe people are saying the NYR lost because they aren't mentally tough enough.

This group? After all they've done?

 

[Chaels Arms]

Gallant turned into a real fkn asshole

I don't like complaining about the refs in general but this was a terrible call and Ferraro's inclination to defend every single call the refs make despite not being able to explain his reasoning in any logical way was very frustrating.

If that's a penalty then there's no longer any possible way to make a defensive play in that scenario. Miller's only option is to let the opposing player skate in unimpeded.

 

[FUZfan]

Best chain pizza?

What's the poll going to be for the next loss, best cancer to get diagnosed with?

 

[Gluten Free Breadman]

Disgusted how close this poll is. Domino’s all the way.

I would never eat any of that shit unless it was 3am in columbus ohio during the middle of a snowstorm.

But clearly the answer is Papa Johns solely for the 3rd goal replay.

We really could use one of those on Saturday.

 

[HANK30]

Should be an automatic suspension. That's Marchand level douchebaggery.

Send the tape to the league. Get stamkos out of game 6.

 

[PuckLuck3043]

So Pitt def scared me more offensively than Tampa, that top line with Guentz and Crosby is just insane at rushes and finding room in the O zone. Crosby is other worldly at knowing everyone's location, momentum, and how he can manipulate things to find 4 feet of room for his teamates. And Guentzel knows him so well he knows exactly where to go and be found, and can finish with the best of them. But Tampa's team D is just on another level, and Vasi, while he had a rough start to the series, has turned it on- the sign of an elite goalie. Able to let a couple of poorer performances get behind him and then stop nearly everything he should, and a few he has no business stopping. That Zbad deflection off his skate/foot in game 4 was nuts- Vasi was way out of his crease with no reaction time but still made quick split and kick it out, it was completely ridiculous.

Igor hasn't looked bad, but he's getting beat on not a ton of high danger chances, and often is saved by the post, and also needs to figure out how to peek through screens a bit better. He has shown that ability when he was smoking hot earlier this year but is struggling a bit with that this series. I expect our next playoff appearance will show a much more mentally improved Igor. Adjusting on the fly is not easy, but summer rest, and using the reg. season to hone himself even more will do wonders I think.

This def sounds like a post-mortem, and maybe we can pull it out with our backs against the wall again. But Tampa is time tested, has weathered the storm, and they really play nasty and find a way. Not feeling confident (for the 3rd series in a row), hopefully the boys prove me wrong again and pull it out!

Igor is exhausted too, just like the others. He has played way more than he ever did before. This stretch is both physically and mentally exhausting especially the first time around. I'm actually surprised how well the kids have held up against good teams when playing 19 playoff games in 38 days. They have definitely shown me something and it bodes well moving forward.