Post-Game Talk: New York Rangers vs Eakin Rousell and Garbutt

[Ola]

BTW, the only thing I think we did well last night was to "not" loose.

I thought Hank looked a bit shaky.

We didn't defend well.

We especially didn't transit well.

We didn't attack well.

We saw so little of our special teams that I wouldn't say that they stood out.

My top 3 stars:

1. McD

2. Nash

3. Boyle

 

[RangerBoy]

Dallas is a team the Rangers should beat. The hard working teams like Columbus give the Rangers trouble. The teams which like to skate and aren't hard working are right up the Rangers alley. Toronto. Even Chicago. Dallas played the night before and the Rangers needed a late third period goal to beat them. They come out well and then Dallas scores the weird first goal. The Rangers sag. Then Dallas scored another weird goal. Lundqvist is letting the puck hit him. A million face-offs. Terrible game. The PP is saving the Rangers bacon. It comes through for them when they need a big goal.

 

[jniklast]

Why, these guys are the experts and we are just fans!

Seriously though, this new approach of us, where we got a guy at the top of the crease that often only function as another option for the puck carrier is a pretty new set-up (new for me probably means 5 years old), and its working really well. After seeing it enough here to figure it out, it instantly becomes obvious that its how Philly have played for a several years. I always had hard time figuring out why Philly could have such good PP despite having too many lefty's on the ice.

I would say that most teams in the league plays the PP as we did the previous years. But we couldn't execute it because we didn't have good enough righties, and then Nash and Gabby wasn't good enough to handle the puck as one of the lefties next to BR. When a PK put pressure on us, we just couldn't throw the puck around on a string like you gotta be able to do if you are going to play keep away on the out side.

Now we are getting a player into that role mentioned above -- inside the box -- and that puts down the PK box and get us set-up.

Also, we are talking a lot about roster moves right now. We should also notice that Brad Richards and Derric Brassard both are essential to our top PP unit. We shouldn't underestimate Poo's play lately, its been good for sure, but he can be replaced easily. The production can vary, but the function of the PP won't be hurt if you stick anyone from Nash to Boyle into his role.

But the "midfield" of;
--------Poo--------------
Zucc-Brassard----------
-----------------Richards
------McD---------------;
can't be overrated. I mean, what Brassard contributes really much with in that role is those top notch passes. Cross-zone crisp passes. One pass like that gets you set-up and the PK box passive. You cannot replace Brassard on that unit with you know Stepan or Callahan or someone like that.

This is why I think we absolutely have to keep Zucc and should keep Brass. I don't get those trade proposals involving them. They are what finally makes our PP good and we shouldn't break it up over a couple millions of cap space that Sather wouldn't use to any advantage anyway. Especially with Richards destined to be bought out, those two players are our best playmakers by far. And you need guys that can pass very well for a good PP.

 

[a tribe cq]

Nash will stare into your soul now...

lolol

plz tell me this is about his postgame interview

1. poo
2. straalman
3. beaver

 

[a tribe cq]

MDZ took the body well tonight.

Seems hes a MUCH better player when he's taking the body.

 

[Ola]

Dallas is a team the Rangers should beat. The hard working teams like Columbus give the Rangers trouble. The teams which like to skate and aren't hard working are right up the Rangers alley. Toronto. Even Chicago. Dallas played the night before and the Rangers needed a late third period goal to beat them. They come out well and then Dallas scores the weird first goal. The Rangers sag. Then Dallas scored another weird goal. Lundqvist is letting the puck hit him. A million face-offs. Terrible game. The PP is saving the Rangers bacon. It comes through for them when they need a big goal.

Yeah, and not to mention, there are, truth to be told, quite many not very good hockey teams in this league. Teams are all over the place. Dallas plays a good game, their D's came into MSG and moved the puck really well. Daley, Dillion, Goli and Gonchar played well. But they are just not strong in many areas. D's that are easy to push around. Very little high quality depth. Their top line is very enthusiastic, but a bit all over the place... Many teams have some high quality players, but not a "team".

I think we all sometimes are living off some kind of pre-lockout (05') standard, that carried over the couple of years at least after the lockout (to say 07'-08' with some really strong teams).

 

[Ola]

Kreider had a bad game. Hopefully he's not messed up after giving that hit.

I think Kreider is coming along really well, but the yard-stick used when evaluating him is a bit off.

He has had some good overall games this season, but on most nights and basically since he was taken off Zucc's line the good plays he makes are on the marginal.

For example, had he played exactly like he did last night but had one (1) rush with the puck and one (1) hit, I wouldn't at all be surprised to see 20 posts about Kreider being our best player.

He is still a rookie.

He is playing on a line that isn't functioning well.

He isn't the type of player who carries the play.

We should definitely not tear him apart or whatever, but you know, sometimes I think people see what they want to see in him...

 

[Ola]

btw, I really don't like how the team played in that 3rd period. Way too many turnovers in the neutral zone, looked shaky in our own zone. We could just as well have lost this. Dallas just couldn't capitalize. That has to get better, especially against a team which is playing the second game of a back-to-back.

I agree for sure. The only thing we did yesterday was not to loose. From my point of view, a handful of teams around us, both above and below, in the standings have done that all years. Its definitely good to see us play 60 minutes without giving a game away.

But, I was disappointed in how we played.

 

[Vickers8]

Cally and Richie playing very well, Nash played more physical last night, Girardi and Staal played well, Hank was sharp, 6 very important players for us...it can't be just Zucc, McD and Kreids every night...

 

[ArPanet]

Maybe if Stepan applied himself a little (much) more we‘d see more production from Nash and Kreider. Imagine if, say Ryan O'Reilly was their C.

 

[JCrusher*]

Maybe if Stepan applied himself a little (much) more we‘d see more production from Nash and Kreider. Imagine if, say Ryan O'Reilly was their C.

Good Point. I dont care if stepan scores goal but if he is gonna be a number 1 C then he has to do a better job of setting up his wingers. Often times kreider and nahs ahve to set eachother up which makes it harder for them to go to the net

 

[JCrusher*]

I think Kreider is coming along really well, but the yard-stick used when evaluating him is a bit off.

He has had some good overall games this season, but on most nights and basically since he was taken off Zucc's line the good plays he makes are on the marginal.

For example, had he played exactly like he did last night but had one (1) rush with the puck and one (1) hit, I wouldn't at all be surprised to see 20 posts about Kreider being our best player.

He is still a rookie.

He is playing on a line that isn't functioning well.

He isn't the type of player who carries the play.

We should definitely not tear him apart or whatever, but you know, sometimes I think people see what they want to see in him...

Kreider has been one of more consistent players. even when he doenst scorer he uses his body and speed to set up plays. I do think stepan and nash haveing off years hasnt helped.

 

[Doctyl]

I'm in favor of putting hags with Stepan and Nash and putting Kreider with Richards and Callahan.

 

[JHS]

Man imagine what people would be posting if we were 2-7-1 instead of 7-2-1 in the last 10?? Can this team get any credit for anything?

I just read through the whole thread and it's so incredibly unbelievable. Post after post about how Hank lets in softies, Nash is invisible, the team won a game they should have won and they still can't defend or play offense. Honestly, I get that people come here to vent about the team but can we at least enjoy the win around here?

I'm going to go back to enjoying the win. One thing I learned being a sports fan is to enjoy a win no matter how they come.

 

[Leonardo87]

I'm in favor of putting hags with Stepan and Nash and putting Kreider with Richards and Callahan.

You want to break up a line that has 5 Goals in 4 games? Right now the top line is the Richards line, they are getting top 5 on 5 mins and are creating the most scoring chances.

 

[NCRanger]

Anyone else think the "hybrid icing" just plain sucks?

Nobody mentioned it in the entire post game thread that not only should Dallas' first goal been waved off for a tripping penalty, it was ICING, and under the idiotic hybrid icing rules, Staal was ahead of Garbutt at the top of the faceoff circles.

Considering the refs blew everything else down all night, the fact there wasn't an icing whistle there is preposterous.

I've been a Hank basher all year, but because that whole play leading up to the first Dallas goal was a cluster**** caused by incompetent officiating, Hank is blameless.

 

[eco's bones]

BTW, the only thing I think we did well last night was to "not" loose.

I thought Hank looked a bit shaky.

We didn't defend well.

We especially didn't transit well.

We didn't attack well.

We saw so little of our special teams that I wouldn't say that they stood out.

My top 3 stars:

1. McD

2. Nash

3. Boyle

Dallas played it smart. Lots of stops--slow the game down. They were no doubt tired from the night before. Lots of face-offs. Bottom liners out a lot--more energy from them than their top line guys. All the face-offs and Kreider and Hagelin are kept in line.

 

[JCrusher*]

Dallas played it smart. Lots of stops--slow the game down. They were no doubt tired from the night before. Lots of face-offs. Bottom liners out a lot--more energy from them than their top line guys. All the face-offs and Kreider and Hagelin are kept in line.

Bingo. Dallas played the night before and since teh Rangers play the same style Dallas was trying to neautralize that by slowing the game down. Now it also affected their game but it kept guys like hagelin nash and kreider out of open ice situations.

 

[Tackaberry]

Man imagine what people would be posting if we were 2-7-1 instead of 7-2-1 in the last 10?? Can this team get any credit for anything?

I just read through the whole thread and it's so incredibly unbelievable. Post after post about how Hank lets in softies, Nash is invisible, the team won a game they should have won and they still can't defend or play offense. Honestly, I get that people come here to vent about the team but can we at least enjoy the win around here?

I'm going to go back to enjoying the win. One thing I learned being a sports fan is to enjoy a win no matter how they come.

Yes. I like winning and I can't complain.

 

[Doctyl]

You want to break up a line that has 5 Goals in 4 games? Right now the top line is the Richards line, they are getting top 5 on 5 mins and are creating the most scoring chances.

While that line has been great, I was thinking hags could get step and Nash jump started. i think Kreider could also do well on that line with Cally and brad.

 

[JESSEWENEEDTOCOOK]

Rangers noted 7-2-1 in their last 10.

 

[JESSEWENEEDTOCOOK]

Also, 3 stars:

1. Richards
2. Nash
3. Callahan

Richards had a MONSTER game, IMO. Could have easily had a couple more points and some goals.

 

[Bardof425*]

thats not the problem. He didnt even hit the net! on a breakaway, and on 2 nice set ups

that shot was saved; it wasn't wide. Great save

 

[Bardof425*]

McD is the player of the game; shut down the top line and set up a couple of our best chances (Nash break and richards crossbar). It was a sloppy game but he was great.

 

[BB58]

I love watching this system. After all those years of snoozefest dump and chase; rinse and repeat nonsense, its really a breath of fresh air.