Mats Zuccarello-Awesome Part II

[Idlerlee]

2. Marchand simply outmuscled the little guy on the way up the ice. This is something that likely cant be fixed.

Going by the perspective of a guy that does this kind of thing: He can bulk and gain muscle during the offseason. If you go about it right, with the proper nutrition and lifting, you can gain as much as 2lb muscle pr. month. Assuming he begins in May he can gain up to 10lbs before October.

Which would put him up at 189 pounds. Which, you know in a little guy would effectively make him into a little tank. There is also the fact that since his centre of gravity is lower due to his height, this actually gives him a slight edge in a pure wrestle while skating.. but this is all theory.

Plus the fact that Marchand got a whopping 4 pounds on Zucc, which equals diddly squat.. If he needs to get heavier, he can do that np.

 

[The Sweetness]

No. Back checkers are told to pick up the guy without the puck.

He went for the guy with the puck who touched it past him, which led to him being out of position and not catching up to Marchand. If he makes the safe play and takes Bergeron (who did not have the pick initially) then Stralman can take Marchant imo.

 

[The Sweetness]

By all means, Zuccarello has a part of this. But the big mistake was made by Brassard with a brutal turnover. But if you look at the replay, you can see that he would have had no chance of catching up to Bergeron either.

Btw, norwegian newspapers who always have been pro-zuccarello more or less blames him for the loss..... Surprisingly actually when pretty much all of their articles have been extremely positive....

I certainly agree that it was a bad pass from Brassard.

But I also feel that there is a very small chance the goal happens if Zuccarello covers for McDonaugh instead of making a risky play to try and win the puck, which led to him getting beat by Marchand despite his best efforts.

If he would have covered I feel he can pretty easily get close enough to Bergeron so that Stralman can cover Marchand in the middle. I agree with you that it was a bad turnover from Brassard but it is also a very bad read by Zuccarello, which turned a bad turnover into an excellent scoring chance along with somewhat poor defending from Stralman.

 

[The Sweetness]

Zuccarello's 2 biggest weaknesses were on display during the OT goal. 1 that can be fixed, and 1 that cannot.

1. Simply put, he made a bad read on the rush. He needs to hang back and cover for McDonagh there. He was too deep in the offensive zone and it was an uphill battle trying to get back. This can be fixed.

2. Marchand simply outmuscled the little guy on the way up the ice. This is something that likely cant be fixed.

Agreed. You can't fault Zuccarello's effort on the play as he did his best but his read was poor.

 

[Fanned On It]

I certainly agree that it was a bad pass from Brassard.

But I also feel that there is a very small chance the goal happens if Zuccarello covers for McDonaugh instead of making a risky play to try and win the puck, which led to him getting beat by Marchand despite his best efforts.

If he would have covered I feel he can pretty easily get close enough to Bergeron so that Stralman can cover Marchand in the middle. I agree with you that it was a bad turnover from Brassard but it is also a very bad read by Zuccarello, which turned a bad turnover into an excellent scoring chance along with somewhat poor defending from Stralman.

I wouldn't really ever blame a defender covering a 2 on 1 for "poor defense". I mean, the best thing he could've done would've been laying out to almost completely eliminate a pass but even then, it's risky.

I'm trying to determine if it was a "bad pass" by Brass or just a really good defensive play by whichever Bruin tipped it. I mean, if Brass got that pass through then Nash (I think?) would've been in a prime scoring area with the puck. Sometimes you have to take risks to make amazing plays, and these kind of things HAVE been working out for Brass so in his mind he's probably thinking, "I can make this pass no problem, I've done it before."

I do agree that Zucc should've played it more conservatively and covered McD properly.

 

[NickyFotiu]

Some of you guys are being a bit silly. It is not Zooks and Stralmans job to prevent every kind of possible shot from taking place. They got back on a 2-1 to make it a difficult play for Boston. There are plenty of times we have had a much better 2-1 chance in the other direction that we do not score on. Sometimes you have to credit the opposition for a good play and maybe a little luck that the puck found a hole. Usually Lundy makes that save on the ice. It was McD that got caught up ice. It was Brass that had his pass intercepted. I'm not blaming them but to blame the 3 guys that actually were in position is a stretch in my eyes. I'm not going to blame Lundy for that goal. I thought the first goal was the one he would want back.

 

[Zucc36]

Some of you guys are being a bit silly. It is not Zooks and Stralmans job to prevent every kind of possible shot from taking place. They got back on a 2-1 to make it a difficult play for Boston. There are plenty of times we have had a much better 2-1 chance in the other direction that we do not score on. Sometimes you have to credit the opposition for a good play and maybe a little luck that the puck found a hole. Usually Lundy makes that save on the ice. It was McD that got caught up ice. It was Brass that had his pass intercepted. I'm not blaming them but to blame the 3 guys that actually were in position is a stretch in my eyes. I'm not going to blame Lundy for that goal. I thought the first goal was the one he would want back.

+1

Totally agree. IMO this is a case where you lose as a team, and not throw anyone under the bus. It started with Brassard with a risky pass, then Nash who couldn´t control it. Then Zuke tried to stop Marchand, and in the end Lundqvist couldn´t stop it from going in, and he has even blamed himself for that one.

Just shake it off, and get ready for game 2.

Remember Sid got a lot of credit for his solo goal a couple games ago. Not a word about the two defenders who totally got smoked.... Sometimes the opposition just make good plays.

 

[The Sweetness]

Some of you guys are being a bit silly. It is not Zooks and Stralmans job to prevent every kind of possible shot from taking place. They got back on a 2-1 to make it a difficult play for Boston. There are plenty of times we have had a much better 2-1 chance in the other direction that we do not score on. Sometimes you have to credit the opposition for a good play and maybe a little luck that the puck found a hole. Usually Lundy makes that save on the ice. It was McD that got caught up ice. It was Brass that had his pass intercepted. I'm not blaming them but to blame the 3 guys that actually were in position is a stretch in my eyes. I'm not going to blame Lundy for that goal. I thought the first goal was the one he would want back.

I don't think most people are placing a lot of blame on Zuccarello or Stralman once the 2 on 1 developed (I do feel Stralman could have played it a bit better but as you say it was a good play by Boston and tough to defend a play like that when it develops).

However, a lot of us feels that Zuccarello's poor read led to the 2 on 1 developing when he could have likely taken Bergeron out wide, which would have allowed Stralman to play Marchand in the middle.

 

[SixGoalieSystem]

He went for the guy with the puck who touched it past him, which led to him being out of position and not catching up to Marchand. If he makes the safe play and takes Bergeron (who did not have the pick initially) then Stralman can take Marchant imo.

This is spot on.

However, that was the only real bad play he's made thus far these playoffs (he's had a couple of poor ones as well, but nothing major). If he can keep his good play:bad play ratio where he is, he's fine.

 

[NickyFotiu]

I do not see a bad read. He is coming from the right hand side giving Brass another passing option. It is not typical for the rw to cover for the left dman. Torts told the guys he wants 4 guys attacking when possible and said he would do that again in that scenario. Trying to stop the breakout before it began is a normal instinct at that point and a play he has made repeatedly. Being at ice level on a bang bang play is a lot different than watching on TV in our lazy boy chairs on replays.

 

[Drewbackatu*]

Some of you guys are being a bit silly. It is not Zooks and Stralmans job to prevent every kind of possible shot from taking place. They got back on a 2-1 to make it a difficult play for Boston. There are plenty of times we have had a much better 2-1 chance in the other direction that we do not score on. Sometimes you have to credit the opposition for a good play and maybe a little luck that the puck found a hole. Usually Lundy makes that save on the ice. It was McD that got caught up ice. It was Brass that had his pass intercepted. I'm not blaming them but to blame the 3 guys that actually were in position is a stretch in my eyes. I'm not going to blame Lundy for that goal. I thought the first goal was the one he would want back.

There's no sense in pointing fingers at anyone; we win as a team and lose as a team! Let's just move on and win tomorrow.

 

[NickyFotiu]

There's no sense in pointing fingers at anyone; we win as a team and lose as a team! Let's just move on and win tomorrow.

In some rare occasions that may not always be true but most the time and in this case I agree with what you said 100%!

 

[The Sweetness]

This is spot on.

However, that was the only real bad play he's made thus far these playoffs (he's had a couple of poor ones as well, but nothing major). If he can keep his good play:bad play ratio where he is, he's fine.

Yeah, I agree his play in general is fine.

 

[Glennsoe]

This is from the Svrblog site, zuke is not mentioned so he's the last to be blamed;

http://snyrangersblog.com/13/2013-p...t-play-was-made-on-the-winning-goal-thursday/

"Brassard tried to make a pass across the zone to Nash for a scoring chance but Zdeno Chara tipped the puck and the Bruins went in on the offense and won the game.

John Tortorella said yesterday, when he met with the media, “it’s the right play. It’s the right play. If the puck gets over to Nasher it’s a great scoring chance.

Justin Bourne wrote at Backhand Shelf that the Rangers did everything correctly on the play that ended up leading to the turnover and the winning goal.

He notes that Ryan McDonagh is driving to the net, with the intention of taking the Bruin defenders with him and leaving more room for Rick Nash who would have “the puck and some time in a scary shooting spot.â€

Bourne adds that the pass Brassard tried to make to Nash works 99% of the team and that the only defenseman in the league who can stop that pass is Zdeno Chara"

 

[NickyFotiu]

This is from the Svrblog site, zuke is not mentioned so he's the last to be blamed;

http://snyrangersblog.com/13/2013-p...t-play-was-made-on-the-winning-goal-thursday/

"Brassard tried to make a pass across the zone to Nash for a scoring chance but Zdeno Chara tipped the puck and the Bruins went in on the offense and won the game.

John Tortorella said yesterday, when he met with the media, “it’s the right play. It’s the right play. If the puck gets over to Nasher it’s a great scoring chance.

Justin Bourne wrote at Backhand Shelf that the Rangers did everything correctly on the play that ended up leading to the turnover and the winning goal.

He notes that Ryan McDonagh is driving to the net, with the intention of taking the Bruin defenders with him and leaving more room for Rick Nash who would have “the puck and some time in a scary shooting spot.â€

Bourne adds that the pass Brassard tried to make to Nash works 99% of the team and that the only defenseman in the league who can stop that pass is Zdeno Chara"

To be honest I personally would not care what Justin Bourne or any other internet blogger thought. All that matters to me is what the players and coaches say.

 

[KingStian]

It's useless to blame anyone for the last play. Fact is, the way we played in OT we were doomed from the start of the period. It's a wonder that we lastet that long in the first place.

We lost one game on the road. We need to just get over it, move on and steal the next one. If we do that we should be happy, and we have gotten a great start to the series.

 

[The Sweetness]

It's useless to blame anyone for the last play. Fact is, the way we played in OT we were doomed from the start of the period. It's a wonder that we lastet that long in the first place.

We lost one game on the road. We need to just get over it, move on and steal the next one. If we do that we should be happy, and we have gotten a great start to the series.

It's certainly useless but so are just about any messages on an internet forum discussing hockey. I don't see what is wrong about analyzing a play and I'm certainly not trying to suggest that Zuccarello should be benched or anything. Just trying to analyze an important play on the deciding goal, which is certainly something these boards are for.

That being said, I agree with you we should be happy if we win the next game. I'm over the loss and don't find it too disheartening and am focusing on tonights game hoping for a win.

 

[Norwegian]

https://twitter.com/ZuccaFanpage/status/336413408289239041/photo/1 Zuccarello vs Chara

 

[MTrangers]

I just love this guy. He continues to create. It almost shows how anemic and offensively inept this team has been for long spurts. It seems on a lot of his nicer plays the puck recipient isn't ready for the pass or fans on the shot. Maybe he hasn't been the best Rangers forward in the playoffs (maybe top 3 for me) but personally I would say he has been the most consistent.

 

[SnowblindNYR]

I just love this guy. He continues to create. It almost shows how anemic and offensively inept this team has been for long spurts. It seems on a lot of his nicer plays the puck recipient isn't ready for the pass or fans on the shot. Maybe he hasn't been the best Rangers forward in the playoffs (maybe top 3 for me) but personally I would say he has been the most consistent.

Yeah most of the nice plays come from Brassard and him. Yesterday we had a stretch on offense I haven't seen in a while. Too bad Rask was great, Hank **** the bed, and then the team completely fell apart in the 3rd. Oh well, maybe they get some confidence going for the next game. Nash particularly, looked like a man among boys.

 

[Kershaw]

I just love this guy. He continues to create. It almost shows how anemic and offensively inept this team has been for long spurts. It seems on a lot of his nicer plays the puck recipient isn't ready for the pass or fans on the shot. Maybe he hasn't been the best Rangers forward in the playoffs (maybe top 3 for me) but personally I would say he has been the most consistent.

I dunno, he's had a pretty rough first two games this series. I hope he turns it around, he needs to be better for us to advance.

 

[MTrangers]

I dunno, he's had a pretty rough first two games this series. I hope he turns it around, he needs to be better for us to advance.

I think it's the whole team that needs to be better. I'd put about a dozen people ahead of him who have bigger contracts, more experience and more expectations who have more to prove. Like another poster stated, it seems all the great offensive plays stem from him or Brass, though Cally looked good yesterday. It's also surprising how often I notice him hustling on the back check.

 

[NYR Viper]

He is controlling the puck. That is his job. Now, people have to get open.

 

[Machinehead]

What I like about Zucc is that he can slot anywhere in the top 9 and seems to click with anyone we put him with. He combines finesse with simplicity to make a very mutable game.

 

[Kershaw]

I think it's the whole team that needs to be better. I'd put about a dozen people ahead of him who have bigger contracts, more experience and more expectations who have more to prove. Like another poster stated, it seems all the great offensive plays stem from him or Brass, though Cally looked good yesterday. It's also surprising how often I notice him hustling on the back check.

Contracts to me is irrelevant right now. From what I've seen from Zucc, he is capable of doing a lot more. I don't think he is creating enough scoring chances. Adding onto contract, I have zero expectations from Richards lol, but I know Zucc can help this team.