Pre-Game Talk: MDSF: (2) New York Rangers vs. (3) Philadelphia Flyers

[NYR Viper]

Experience at what exactly? Pestering the opposition and contributing to a more physical game? Is that what the Rangers want?

I mean you have to answer the other teams physical game at times. This is hockey. Do I want them to get into an all-out physical battle? Of course not. That's not their game. But they should be able to deliver some physical play as well.

Dress one or the other... I prefer carcillo

Eh, dressing Dorsett allows for Boyle to play LW. He is a better LWer

 

[ThePokeCheck]

How I rate these teams:

Toughness up front: Flyers
Toughness on defense: Flyers
Toughness in net: Flyers

Should be a short series.

FOTSL. Fell off toilet seat laughing.

 

[DudMan28]

I mean you have to answer the other teams physical game at times. This is hockey. Do I want them to get into an all-out physical battle? Of course not. That's not their game. But they should be able to deliver some physical play as well.



Eh, dressing Dorsett allows for Boyle to play LW. He is a better LWer

FWIW, Fast has played a pretty solid physical game. Not huge checks, but effective. However, Carcillo is much better at stirring the pot.

 

[Bleed Ranger Blue]

FWIW, Fast has played a pretty solid physical game. Not huge checks, but effective. However, Carcillo is much better at stirring the pot.

And again, how does stirring the pot benefit the Rangers? I think dressing both Dorsett and Carcillo actually weakens the team further in the name of addressing a perceived weakness.

I also don't understand the Carcillo "experience" argument when most of his playoff experience over the past few years has involved sitting in the pressbox.

 

[DudMan28]

And again, how does stirring the pot benefit the Rangers? I think dressing both Dorsett and Carcillo actually weakens the team further in the name of addressing a perceived weakness.

I also don't understand the Carcillo "experience" argument when most of his playoff experience over the past few years has involved sitting in the pressbox.

I dont think Carcillo playing really benefits us either. Was simply stating thats what he brings over Fast. I have been very pleased with Fast since his call up.

 

[Infinitum Vitae*]

How often does Dorsett take stupid penalties that directly lead to a loss somehow?

Too bad DD is a far better hockey player than Carcillo.

Car bomb has way more playoff experience

 

[RangerBoy]

Don't the Rangers always seem to have the same problem? Not enough depth. Two years ago,Kreider was thrust into the lineup with the suspension to Hagelin/injury to Boyle/injury to Dubinsky. Kreder breaks his hand and its the same issue. The Rangers better hope they don't lose any other forwards to injury but you know injuries will happen. Carcillo stinks. AV will have to hold his nose and play Miller. Or maybe Powe is given a shot.

 

[NYR Viper]

Don't the Rangers always seem to have the same problem? Not enough depth. Two years ago,Kreider was thrust into the lineup with the suspension to Hagelin/injury to Boyle/injury to Dubinsky. Kreder breaks his hand and its the same issue. The Rangers better hope they don't lose any other forwards to injury but you know injuries will happen. Carcillo stinks. AV will have to hold his nose and play Miller. Or maybe Powe is given a shot.

I don't think there in bad shape right now at all. Kreider will be back in just over a week most likely. Fast has proven to be a good player. One of Carcillo/Dorsett will be sitting currently most likely. That's (3) solid depth forwards. And if all else fails, they have (7) capable d-men they could play with McDoangh, Girardi, Staal, Stralman, Klein, Moore and Diaz.

On top of that, they have players like Powe, Lindberg and even Asham whose seasons will be done shortly who could play a 4th line role if need be.

 

[gary laser eyes]

What about Bourque? I think he can be a good, speedy energy forward if needed. Obviously he wouldn't be counted on providing offense, but can anyone comment on his defensive game?

 

[NYR Viper]

What about Bourque? I think he can be a good, speedy energy forward if needed. Obviously he wouldn't be counted on providing offense, but can anyone comment on his defensive game?

Well above average. If he makes the NHL, it will be due to his defensive game and energy. Very good PKer as well. He is Ryan Callahan less the offense and the big hits.

 

[Amazing Kreiderman]

Bleh. And then we are stuck with NBC after round 1 no mater what.

I still feel NBC should go with 3 audio channels for those games. In this era of digital television, it's easily done. As a fan, you'd have 3 options:

1. NBC crew
2. Home crew
3. Away crew

 

[kovazub94]

Don't the Rangers always seem to have the same problem? Not enough depth. Two years ago,Kreider was thrust into the lineup with the suspension to Hagelin/injury to Boyle/injury to Dubinsky. Kreder breaks his hand and its the same issue. The Rangers better hope they don't lose any other forwards to injury but you know injuries will happen. Carcillo stinks. AV will have to hold his nose and play Miller. Or maybe Powe is given a shot.

Not this season. Our depth issue used to manifest in scrubs on the 4th line or 3rd pair. Not this season. Haley - Newberry - Dorsett vs. Boyle - Moore - Dorsett.
And if injuries happen - same as any other team in NHL the choice is going to be between 13th "physical" forward or untested skill player from a lower league.

 

[RangerBoy]

Not this season. Our depth issue used to manifest in scrubs on the 4th line or 3rd pair. Not this season. Haley - Newberry - Dorsett vs. Boyle - Moore - Dorsett.
And if injuries happen - same as any other team in NHL the choice is going to be between 13th "physical" forward or untested skill player from a lower league.

The Rangers are already at the spot with the loss of Kreider. Carcillo or Fast. One more injury and there is no choice. Kreider goes down and it was Carcillo on the top line or Boyle/Moore on a line with Richards and MSL. Not great options. For a team which spends to the upper limit every season,management hasn't done a good job with the roster.

 

[nyrleetch]

Well above average. If he makes the NHL, it will be due to his defensive game and energy. Very good PKer as well. He is Ryan Callahan less the offense and the big hits.

So like this year's version of Cally?!

 

[gary laser eyes]

The Rangers are already at the spot with the loss of Kreider. Carcillo or Fast. One more injury and there is no choice. Kreider goes down and it was Carcillo on the top line or Boyle/Moore on a line with Richards and MSL. Not great options. For a team which spends to the upper limit every season,management hasn't done a good job with the roster.

What NHL team has top-6 forwards on the 4th line or as healthy scratches ready to take over for someone that goes down?

Usually someone from the 3rd line will move up and someone from the 4th line will move to the 3rd line, etc.. For AV it's more of a matter of not breaking up the chemistry of the Brassard line and the 4th line, which is why Carcillo was tried there. It didn't quite work out so they brought up Fast, who is still a bit raw but fits in that spot a lot better.

Please look at the lineup last year for game 5 in Boston and tell us again how management hasn't done a good job with the roster.

 

[tjs252]

I really feel like this series will, fairly or unfairly, kind of define Rick Nash for me. This is the type of opponent he was brought in to allow us to counter. I know one player can't do it on his own, but I really feel he's going to need to be the best player on the ice for us to advance.

 

[Bleed Ranger Blue]

I don't think there in bad shape right now at all. Kreider will be back in just over a week most likely. Fast has proven to be a good player. One of Carcillo/Dorsett will be sitting currently most likely. That's (3) solid depth forwards. And if all else fails, they have (7) capable d-men they could play with McDoangh, Girardi, Staal, Stralman, Klein, Moore and Diaz.

On top of that, they have players like Powe, Lindberg and even Asham whose seasons will be done shortly who could play a 4th line role if need be.

He has?

 

[FultonReed]

it's time for Marty to wake up and show Vinny just who the leading man was in the playoffs out in Tampa.

that ppg+ that Mr. St. Louis is capable of during this time of year is gonna be a huge factor. can't stress that enough.

Rangers in 5.

 

[BarbaraAlphanse]

Can the Rangers turn the other cheek and play their game?

The lineup in game 1 will define a narrative pretty quickly. Do we dress Carcillo over Fast? If so, that sends a signal the Rangers are concerned about countering the Flyers' physicality, which would be a mistake IMO. It should be great for the Rangers if the Flyers are being ultra-physical because it means they dont have the puck.

There was a game in Philly earlier this year where Carcillo and Dorsett both dressed. They were the story of the game for the Rangers by consistently trying to mix things up. It led to a loss because thats simply not the Rangers' game.

So then shouldn't that give you hope that their narrative against the more physical Flyers is already set?

AV made the mistake once... so you think its possible he makes it again?

I don't think it is very likely. Carcillo in the lineup w/ Dorsett didn't work for the 2 games we tried it. He called up Fast and Fast has more than fit in. He's smart defensively and makes some creative plays offensively. He's a fine stop gap for Kreider.

I agree though, if they try and change their game plan up to meet the Flyers, they won't succeed. That being said, I don't think they do that. And if they do, I can't see it being the game plan for more than a game.

 

[Fitzy]

The Rangers are already at the spot with the loss of Kreider. Carcillo or Fast. One more injury and there is no choice. Kreider goes down and it was Carcillo on the top line or Boyle/Moore on a line with Richards and MSL. Not great options. For a team which spends to the upper limit every season,management hasn't done a good job with the roster.

The Rangers can very easily go to three lines if they need to. Bump one of Moore or Boyle up and go with the flow.

During the Tortorella era, this was the breakdown of ice time in the 3OT game vs Washington.

http://www.nhl.com/gamecenter/en/boxscore?id=2011030213

Our 6th defenseman played 3 minutes all game.

 

[Doctyl]

When our biggest problem is Carcillo vs Dorsett, I'd say its a good time to be a ranger fan

 

[Bleed Ranger Blue]

The Rangers have benefitted greatly over the past couple of seasons against the Flyers by Giroux consistently being a no-show. Is that on Giroux, or has it been a result of the matchup vs. McDonagh?

Whatever it is, the Rangers will need that trend to continue in order to advance.

 

[Bleed Ranger Blue]

When our biggest problem is Carcillo vs Dorsett, I'd say its a good time to be a ranger fan

Theres much bigger problems.

Will Nash finally show a pulse in the playoffs is near the top. But is that really discussion worthy? Hes going to play and we'll just have to see.

 

[aufheben]

Stepan has to step up [compared to previous performances]; he's been on fire lately, and has Marty St. Louis and Rick Nash on his wings...no excuses this year.

 

[Doctyl]

Theres much bigger problems.

Will Nash finally show a pulse in the playoffs is near the top. But is that really discussion worthy? Hes going to play and we'll just have to see.

Nash has been playing well lately, though numbers don't exactly show it. He also seems to have some chemistry with MSL. Just have to wait and see what these 2 do.