Post-Game Talk: New York Rangers at Los Angeles Kings |Game 1| 6/4/14

[Xref]

Anyone who says Nash isn't bringing anything to the table for this team is horribly mistaken. Yes it's frustrating that he isn't more effective with scoring chances, but he is playing an overall solid game.

Nash has turned into Callahan: plays die on his stick.

 

[Miamipuck]

Well thank god for that stat (20-3 most lopsided in the modern final era), it was certainly needed to confirm what my eyes saw last night, uhhh not really.

 

[KingP]

We are paying rick nash $7.8 million to kill penalties

We wont win if he doesn't come up with some big goals

Its that simple

 

[Maximus]

Kings started to get a more active forecheck in the latter part of the game which pinned the Rangers d back further. Then they just started collapsing like vultures on the ranger outlets in the neutral zone. I don't know if the Rangers have the superhuman conditioning to skate like they did in the first and maintain it through a series against a very disciplined, rugged team like the kings. The rangers need help from their PP bad, so they can dictate the play and set up their defensive system with a lead.

some good points. You know, I really thought Ranger forecheck was terrific last night first 40 minutes...it really was. Kings were making a ton of mistakes. Ranger speed even in close was very evident. Not sure what happened in 3rd but to me it seemed Rangers stopped skating and moving their legs compared to first two periods. More than what the Kings did. And your point about the Power Play...couldn't agree more. Rangers absolutely cannot have a PP like they did in previous series which was off and on. If Rangers can get a PP goal or two by Quick, it changes everything. Hard to believe we struggle so much to score when we have so much talent out there....mind boggling actually.

 

[Maximus]

We are paying rick nash $7.8 million to kill penalties

We wont win if he doesn't come up with some big goals

Its that simple

No question about it. I said before series, in order for Rangers to win the Cup, Hank needs to be "god mode" Hank and just as importantly, Rick Nash needs to score 3-5 goals this series. Everything else would work itself out but if those two things happened, I loved Rangers chances.

Only Game 1 and still time for Ricky boy to score so not worried yet.

Funny all the criticism he gets IMO is for most part really unfounded. He really has been very good. I have to say I'm really loving his game during this whole playoff run. I'm loving his compete level. Never have seen this part of his game before. Every part of his game other than sniping goals has been terrific. If he can score some big goals this in next couple of games, all will be forgiven. He of all people, needs to come through in order for us to have a chance...bottom line.

 

[ReggieDunlop68]

Funny you guys are bringing up that '94 game as I was at that game. Like you guys said Rangers lost 3-2 in OT and Kirk McLean stole that game. And I do mean stole it...I think he made 55 saves. I recall Leetch hitting post that would have won it. Back to present time.

Keep this in mind: Yes we blew a winnable game but as I said a few times, no real pressure on Rangers unless we lose Game 2 than we have must games going forward. Obviously you don't want to get to that point where you HAVE to win both your home games but if that's what we have to do, that's what it will be. I don't think it will be that way as I do believe we are taking Game 2 Saturday and convincingly...something like 4-1.


That said and tell me if y'all agree, do we really care how we do it...I know I don't. So long as we get to Game 5 tied no worse than 2-2, we have done what we needed to do. It is Game 5 that that would be one of the games that Hank steals. I have thought this all along when I was thinking about how we could win this series. We have to get to Game 5 tied in the series and Hank then steals ala Kirk McLean back in '94 did to us Game 5.

Still feeling quite confident here. Alot of positives to take from last night despite the loss. Gotta fix and clean a few things up too. We'll be fine. Keep in mind also gents who are feeling we are done. We are as reslient as the Kings have been. If history is our judge from these playoffs, no question will be better Game 2...

In 1994, the Rangers lost game 1 of the finals by score of 3-2 because a less talented but hungry team had a goaltender who played a career game.

In 2014, the Rangers lost game 1 of the finals by a score of 3-2 because they played a far more talented team than the 1994 Canucks well for half the game, and then they barely had only a few shots in the third period.

Aside from coincidental numbers and that the Rangers were involved, I do not see any similarity between the two games in 1994 and 2014.

Lundqvist kept the team in the game during the third period. The big game scorers who keep getting praised for their surprisingly average defense and intensity need to step the **** up, or we will be packing!

 

[Maximus]

In 1994, the Rangers lost game 1 of the finals by score of 3-2 because a less talented but hungry team had a goaltender who played a career game.

In 2014, the Rangers lost game 1 of the finals by a score of 3-2 because they played a far more talented team than the 1994 Canucks well for half the game, and then they barely had only a few shots in the third period.

Aside from coincidental numbers and that the Rangers were involved, I do not see any similarity between the two games in 1994 and 2014.

Lundqvist kept the team in the game during the third period. The big game scorers who keep getting praised for their surprisingly average defense and intensity need to step the **** up, or we will be packing!

If we are going to get "technical", couldn't agree with you more about the lack of similarities between the '94 Canucks and present day Kings. I think what a few posters were going and what I piggy backed along with was last two Cup Finals Rangers have been in, we lost 3-2 in OT in the first game. That's really it. But other than that, agree 100% with what you say.

Bottom line: Until we lose on home ice or we go down by 3 games, this series aint over. Only one game so far. We win on Saturday well guess what? Kings are than the ones who are feeling the heat. I feel very confident that we are looking at us heading back to MSG tied 1-1...I really do. I have alot of faith in AV to make the adjustments needed. I have alot of faith in the pride and resiliency of the players on this team and that give me alot of confidence that we are going to be fine and we are looking at a looooongggg series.

 

[Cake or Death]

Kings started to get a more active forecheck in the latter part of the game which pinned the Rangers d back further. Then they just started collapsing like vultures on the ranger outlets in the neutral zone. I don't know if the Rangers have the superhuman conditioning to skate like they did in the first and maintain it through a series against a very disciplined, rugged team like the kings. The rangers need help from their PP bad, so they can dictate the play and set up their defensive system with a lead. They also can conserve some energy in the process.

Probably not. I think it was game two last series where Montreal did the same to us. They came out like race horses and kind of fizzled for most of the rest of the game. It is also noteworthy that LA's pace seems consistent all game and they often seem to have a little tad more jump than opponents in third periods. As Bleed Ranger Blue pointed out, LA does also need to be credited for making in game adjustments to negate our speed a bit. It is now on our coaches to find a way through that or at least reduce that to what extent they can. 20-3 shot differential type third periods obviously cannot become a norm.

 

[CDiablo]

Not sure where the Hank blame comes from, he had it easy for the first 2 periods outside of the goals against, and you know he wishes he had that 2nd goal back. He was rock solid in the 3rd even though I felt the Kings mostly threw crap at him hoping for rebounds and such. Rangers had like 50 minutes to score a 3rd goal and they failed him.

Problem was outside of Hagelins breakaways and Poos breakaway Quick had a easy night, especially outside of the 1st. The open looks we had otherwise were fans and missed shots.

 

[ReggieDunlop68]

If we are going to get "technical", couldn't agree with you more about the lack of similarities between the '94 Canucks and present day Kings. I think what a few posters were going and what I piggy backed along with was last two Cup Finals Rangers have been in, we lost 3-2 in OT in the first game. That's really it. But other than that, agree 100% with what you say.

Bottom line: Until we lose on home ice or we go down by 3 games, this series aint over. Only one game so far. We win on Saturday well guess what? Kings are than the ones who are feeling the heat. I feel very confident that we are looking at us heading back to MSG tied 1-1...I really do. I have alot of faith in AV to make the adjustments needed. I have alot of faith in the pride and resiliency of the players on this team and that give me alot of confidence that we are going to be fine and we are looking at a looooongggg series.

I still agree that we have a chance.

I missed what you were alluding. I assumed it was a general comparison that I would not be surprised to find as a declarative fact on a post game thread.

 

[Niv]

I've never liked the whole "bad ice" excuse. It's not like it's a severe disadvantage for one team, both of them have to play on it. And the argument that LA is used to it is nonsense. These guys are pros.

 

[haveandare]

Frustrating game. They made the Kings play to them roughly for the first half, then the Kings made them play Kings style for the rest.

Needless to say, they have to find a way to make the Kings chase them for 60 minutes. I have faith AV can improve them in that area.

Stepan NEEDS to shoot on the PP. Jesus. He can pick corners well time-to-time if he actually tries. Having him stand at that side of the play and just keep feeding it across to MSL is an absolute waste.

Diaz will be sat for Moore, which will be good. Gets another real strong skater out there, and takes away a liability.

Can't see a repeat of that third again or things are going to get ugly.

 

[Fletch]

Niv...

I wouldn't blame bad ice on anything, but it can be to a team's advantage and another's disadvantage. There are many reasons for home ice advantage. You get to know the ice, the corners, the boards, etc. I can't comment on the ice last night as the TVs I were watching were just too fuzzy, but a team relying on speed may have a bit of a disadvantage. It's not as much as say a sloppy track in horse racing, but it's somethine.

 

[TheTakedown]

Here, take a look at where the 20 Kings shots were taken from in the 3rd period and then please, PLEASE, take your argument and go away.

http://stats.washingtonpost.com/nhl...eriod=3&home=08&vis=13&show=missed&player=000

looks like 10 were crap, and 10 were quality.

Regardless, compare to the quality of the rangers shots, and we were still outshot 10-1.

 

[LORDE]

Nash should be the front runner for the Conn Artist Trophy.....

 

[nyhockeyfan]

Nash has turned into Callahan: plays die on his stick.

Callahan would have been very helpful against their forecheck but I guess haters gonna hate.

 

[corduroyg]

if we lose game 2 i think we lose in 5, i dont see us winning both at the garden. game 2 will decide whether its 2-2 or 3-1 heading back to LA for game 5.

 

[LORDE]

The get out of jail free card with Nash is ridic at this point.

Yeah he was engaged and played a decent game but he's supposed to do that... and he's supposed to score/create.

I'm not going to praise him for effort. That should be a given, ESPECIALLY in the ****ing Stanley Cup Final.

 

[corduroyg]

im done with defending nash. how many odd man rushes has he had in the playoffs where he either turns it over, doesnt get a shot off, or misses the net? enough is enough, make a f'ing play!!!!!

 

[haohmaru]

So the Rangers were outshot by the widest margin in the history of the sport in the 3rd period (in the Final) and that team didn't manage to score and the logical conclusion is that our goalie was outplayed?

Okay.

 

[ReggieDunlop68]

The get out of jail free card with Nash is ridic at this point.

Yeah he was engaged and played a decent game but he's supposed to do that... and he's supposed to score/create.

I'm not going to praise him for effort. That should be a given, ESPECIALLY in the ****ing Stanley Cup Final.

In fact Rozsival was booed from the garden for playing a decent defensive game while looking engaged, yet he wasn't scoring. Furthermore, it seems its usually defenseman who are blamed during the long Rangers history for lack of scoring.

 

[haohmaru]

im done with defending nash. how many odd man rushes has he had in the playoffs where he either turns it over, doesnt get a shot off, or misses the net? enough is enough, make a f'ing play!!!!!

That 3 on 1 was brutal.

 

[haveandare]

if we lose game 2 i think we lose in 5, i dont see us winning both at the garden. game 2 will decide whether its 2-2 or 3-1 heading back to LA for game 5.

I'm a believer of the "you don't lose until you lose at home" philosophy.

 

[haohmaru]

Steve Zipay ‏@stevezipay 1m
McD: I was one of those guys who left the zone (on winning goal) ...we needed to be close

Steve Zipay ‏@stevezipay 20s
McD: I talked to him about the play right away...if it was me, he would've done the same thing...

 

[Tundra]

I'm a believer of the "you don't lose until you lose at home" philosophy.

But that's more applicable to basketball with the distinct home court advantage. Home ice doesn't translate to dominance like it does in the NBA. Winning 4 of 5 against LA would be a remarkable achievement.