Post-Game Talk: Poop

[The S5]

I'm not in panic mode but they do need to clean up the zone exits and forechecking.
Pucks will start to go in, but we can't struggle exiting the zone or make it easy for other teams to exit their zone.

 

[Ail]

Bring Zuccarello home. He's 8th in the league, still going strong.

Even Webster is laughing at us. The absolute state of this team. SAD!

 

[JHS]

It's really starting to grind my gears, I watch like every other young player do at least something in their games. A shot here or there through a defender the goalie has to make a save on. A nice dangle around a defender, whatever. And here I am hoping Kakko can win a board battle just to pass it from the corner hitting off someone's skate.

I get your sentiment but, Kappo dangled through the Isles defense once last game and almost scored on what would have been a highlight real goal.

 

[JHS]

People might not agree with Gallant but he's right.

Yeah 100% true! The Rangers have had terrible luck luck and run into a lot of really good goaltending.

Beyond that, those calling for Gallant to be fired are completely ungreatful and clueless. Can we please just give the guy some credit for bringing this team out of the dark ages of Quinn and making this team relevant.

 

[egelband]

Yeah 100% true! The Rangers have had terrible luck luck and run into a lot of really good goaltending.

Beyond that, those calling for Gallant to be fired are completely ungreatful and clueless. Can we please just give the guy some credit for bringing this team out of the dark ages of Quinn and making this team relevant.

Gallant is taking a longer view. Like it or not , that’s how he rolls. Fans take the shortest of short-term views. He’s never gonna be a fan favorite. But personally, I think he’s a good coach for the times. Would like him to be a little more ‘in the moment’ but that’s just me. It’s fine.

 

[Ola]

I'm pretty confident that this is their floor. PP isn't working. Goaltending hasn't been exceptional, just good. It could always end up one of those years where everything falls flat but I don't think that's likely. They'll get out of this.

I think so too, but part of this is definitely that we have gone away from having the very clear roles Gallant employed last season. Laf and Kakko are in the top 6 looking to put pts on the board, the 3rd hasn't been able to bring the same energy and I think that Carpenter has been a downgrade from Rooney's play, especially early last season (he did actually tackle off pretty much during the season and had more jump up in his game up until the later parts of the season). Panarin and Tro needs to get to know each other. Many small things, but that adds up. Like a lot is made of how we have been able to create offense, but that is irrelevant because ultimately we have given up 3+ goals in every game but one this season and that is of course not even remotely acceptable.

We just aren't as consistent. We may play better in general, but we all know that the regular season of the NHL is about being consistently hard to beat more than playing the best hockey. We do not have Kreider-Mika and Panarin-Strome hitting the ice playing finesse hockey and the rest just being there to provide energy. Like at least not to the same extent as last season. Of course the above description is simplified because Laf/Kakko played a lot in the top 6 last season too and so forth -- but its a balance that has shifted for sure.

At the bottom line, I think this means that some players on our roster must change a bit how they play to get the entire team in balance. On a line of Kreider-Ziba-Kakko, Chris Kreider cannot play the role of a 52 goal scorer. He must hold back and be more repsonsible defensively, do more dirty work. Playing with Panarin, Laf must be willing to for long stretches adapt to what Panarin does on the ice. Etc etc etc.

 

[Ola]

Just one example of how this -- the shift in balance -- manifests itself. Before we have definitely played 'back-up goalie hockey' for odd games. Like the back-up goalie comes in, and the team significantly change the approach a bit to just see things through. Right? If we look at our top 9 and top 6 Ds, which players can we expect to look at the starting line-up and see that Halak is starting -- and perhaps even unconsciously turn that fact into a little safer performance on the ice? Will Ziba do it? Will Laf or Kakko? Will Panarin? Will KAM? Will Fox? Will Chytil? Like a Darren Hunt could hit the ice and play 40 seconds and be happy if he gets a pat on the back for just seeing that shift through, for keeping it simple. When a Laf or Kakko hit the ice, they will be happy if they created offense. They will not be proud of a shift just because it was uneventful. Its probably the opposite.

With our current build, we need more players to realize that as a team that will play 82 games during a regular NHL season, you need to be satisfied with shifts being uneventful at times too. You must also win games where you hit the ice and is an boring/annoying opponent until the other team shoots itself in the foot.

 

[egelband]

I think so too, but part of this is definitely that we have gone away from having the very clear roles Gallant employed last season. Laf and Kakko are in the top 6 looking to put pts on the board, the 3rd hasn't been able to bring the same energy and I think that Carpenter has been a downgrade from Rooney's play, especially early last season (he did actually tackle off pretty much during the season and had more jump up in his game up until the later parts of the season). Panarin and Tro needs to get to know each other. Many small things, but that adds up. Like a lot is made of how we have been able to create offense, but that is irrelevant because ultimately we have given up 3+ goals in every game but one this season and that is of course not even remotely acceptable.

We just aren't as consistent. We may play better in general, but we all know that the regular season of the NHL is about being consistently hard to beat more than playing the best hockey. We do not have Kreider-Mika and Panarin-Strome hitting the ice playing finesse hockey and the rest just being there to provide energy. Like at least not to the same extent as last season. Of course the above description is simplified because Laf/Kakko played a lot in the top 6 last season too and so forth -- but its a balance that has shifted for sure.

At the bottom line, I think this means that some players on our roster must change a bit how they play to get the entire team in balance. On a line of Kreider-Ziba-Kakko, Chris Kreider cannot play the role of a 52 goal scorer. He must hold back and be more repsonsible defensively, do more dirty work. Playing with Panarin, Laf must be willing to for long stretches adapt to what Panarin does on the ice. Etc etc etc.

A lot of little things adding up. I think that’s it. One other thing is the injuries. Chytil. Krav. Blais. 25% of your forward lineup right there missing time. Not enough to ‘kill’ the team but it has definitely made gelling tougher.

 

[blue425]

I'm here for the hot takes.

I've been loving this post after a L. Seriously - I never put too much stock in the first 20 games let alone the first 10. They went 3-7 the year they made the final.

 

[romba]

Im going out of my way to say Schneider needs improvement, whether it comes from sitting out one or two or more practice. Honestly Hajek has issues and so does Jones but less so, but Schneider is as much at fault. Way too often he is unable to eliminate his man on the first try on entry in the corner, which inevitably leads to zone pressure and having to follow the man as the play goes to the other side, causing him and Jones/Hajek having to deal with their weak side.

He said he got faster in the off season, but it seems he needs to get stronger first.

 

[Off Sides]

I get your sentiment but, Kappo dangled through the Isles defense once last game and almost scored on what would have been a highlight real goal.

When I wrote that I was watching Zegras.

I just am not seeing anything like that with the Kakko/Laff.

 

[Chytilmania]

I don’t think the coach has lost the room just yet — so I wouldn’t advocate firing GG. He does, however, need to change strategies and lines before he does lose the room. Once that happens, whether this season or another, we’ll need a replacement.

Simply put: we play east-west but lack the creativity and finesse for it. Nor do we have the speed for a north-south game. It’s a web of confusion and contradiction.

Like @duhmetreE said, we get into the offensive zone and it looks like no one knows what anyone else is doing or going to do.
Defensively I’m not too worried yet, if anything the goalies have let in a few they shouldn’t have. But the players do not support each other. One guy gets the puck and everyone flies up the ice before it’s out of the zone. Same on offense, the players don’t support each other or skate around to get open.

 

[RagFinMet]

My takes
Tro looks good...for a 3C
Kk was one of our best players. Had the puck a lot
For whatever reason laf just doesn't play great at RW
Haven't seen one Dallas game but i bet Nils is playing a lot better than schneid, hajek or jones
What happen to Miller? Thought we'd see more rushes from him
Ever since Fox signed his contract he's been super inconsistent.
GG yet again had the 4th line out there with 5 mins left down 2-0..
This season is starting to remind me of 92-93..

My solutions

Start treating kreids and tro like what they are..Third liners

PZKrav(kane/kess/?)if kravy cant stick
LCKk. Keep together for next 10 years
KTG. This would be a great 3rd line
VRB. No car or reaves ty

PP1
Mika pan fox kk laf.
PP2
Krei kra chy miller tro

 

[egelband]

Lindgren btw…he has been terrific so far this season. I still prefer Miller with Fox. But I can’t deny Lindgren has been terrific. But considering how all-out Lindgren goes, playing him a little less, with Schneider, might keep a little more in his tank, so to speak.

 

[Kovalev27]

2 goals in 3 games when Halak in net, he’s doesn’t look good, but it’s not like they are losing games 5-4.

Those were the scores of Georgiev games when we’d actually win. Halak had a real bad one against Anaheim but he was solid mostly against peg and last night. He fought the puck the first half of the game last night but settled in.

We can score on the pp all of a sudden and that’s mostly Kreider’s fault. He is completely invisible out there on the pp right now

 

[BlueShirtGal]

Never like losing (especially to the Piles) but I'm hoping the season pans out and they improve.

 

[Machinehead]

We need all new line combos. I'm beginning to not like any of these.

Just go back to Kreider-Zibanejad-Lafreniere, for one. It worked and Gallant stays away from it for literally no reason.

Also, it's not a coincidence that the offense has sputtered since Chytil went down. With Laf and Kakko moved up, that 3rd line is a 4th line without Chytil on it.

 

[TheBloodyNine]

Yeah 100% true! The Rangers have had terrible luck luck and run into a lot of really good goaltending.

Beyond that, those calling for Gallant to be fired are completely ungreatful and clueless. Can we please just give the guy some credit for bringing this team out of the dark ages of Quinn and making this team relevant.

Team doesn’t look very relevant right now.

Oh, and that was Igor who did that last season, not Gallant.

 

[will1066]

When I wrote that I was watching Zegras.

I just am not seeing anything like that with the Kakko/Laff.

Not seeing anything from them when they're not together. With Chytil between them, they definitely have something cooking.

The only thing smoothbrain coach should do at this point is flip Kakko and Laff until Chytil returns and see if that sparks anything.

Kakko can cycle forever, probably hold the puck longer than the current British prime minister's tenure, but after a few rings around the cage Zib is going to lose patience and not going to play along anymore. He will want the puck on the high side for an 80 foot slapper more often than not -- this is 5v5 after all, not the PP -- nothing near the circles or hash marks where Kakko wants to be and wants to dish. I am glad y'all now realize what I knew all along, is Kreider is a floating suck-face 5v5 and not any good at working the wall and cycling despite his herculean strength. Kakko is on his own.

Maybe Trocheck will play along with Kakko. Still, Panarin is the playmaker, so Kakko is not going to have the puck on a string like he wants to carry about. The puck belongs to Panarin, and he's going to say bread is bad for the celiac wunderkind.

Stylistically I think Laff and Kakko are quite similar. Laff is a little more creative and open-ended with the use of his ice, whereas with Kakko you know he wants to funnel to the middle whether he can physically accomplish it or not. They both like to lug the puck and switch off to find a play develop. But the vets they are operating on a different wavelength and frequency than them. Bread cycles differently than them. He prefers to make switches high at the points and less down low like Kakko and Laf, likes the long vertical or diagonal pass back to the top of the zone. Same with Zib. They are perimeter cycles whose goal is not to get inside, which is Kakko's cycling mindset, but to find the open weak side.

 

[Machinehead]

Also also, I think one of the biggest problems continues to be that we have Kreider and Zibanejad absolutely glued together and they SUCK together.

They might be a couple off the ice but they have zero chemistry on it. The more time passes since trading Buchnevich, the more you realize that KZB worked because they had chemistry with Buchnevich.

 

[Machinehead]

Bad analytics good team last year good analytic bad team this year. Maeks u think.

It's actually not much to think about.

The overall game has improved. The defense continues to get better and it's not a surprise that we upped our possession game with Lafreniere and Kakko in the top six - despite their offensive frustrations, they drive play. Kakko always did.

On the other hand, the team with more goals wins. This offense has massive holes at even strength. They have for awhile tbh. They can't afford for the PP to hit a skid.

A minority of posters, @DanielBrassard in particular, have been preaching that the main issue is we actually don't have enough skill, and he's right.

Kakko and Lafreniere being Blake Coleman and Ryan Callahan, and Kravtsov being Marcel Hossa, isn't gonna be enough.

 

[Boris Zubov]

This post was funny the first 10 times it was used…

 

[JHS]

Team doesn’t look very relevant right now.

Oh, and that was Igor who did that last season, not Gallant.

Again just revealing your ungratefulness. I know it's hard not to be emotional about the team but maybe take a step back an recognize this team was basically not picked ot make the playoffs last year and now is being talked about as a cup contender. That equals very relevant-

Next, Gallant instilled belief into a group of guys who were putrid under David Quinn. But yes,I'm sure they all, simultaneously without any help from the coach, all made massive leaps in their games. Because to accept your argument that it's only Shesty's doing that got this team to where they are,you'd have to ignore the major steps forward basically every player made.

 

[Machinehead]

And yeah, I know nobody wants to hear it after an ugly loss, but there's also the fact that we're not gonna shoot 6% all year.

 

[TopShelfSnipes]

When I wrote that I was watching Zegras.

I just am not seeing anything like that with the Kakko/Laff.

I see the potential for it with Kakko. The great rush where he almost scored was one, as well as the Datsyukian goal he scored earlier in the season where he basically just ragged the puck for 15 seconds circling the entire O zone and then scoring, and no one could take it away from him. I don't think he has the offensive or playmaking instincts to set the league on fire, but there's a very real possibility we get a Jakub Voracek like player when all is said and done. I'd like to see more scoring than that, but that's what I see when I look at him and project his growth out a few seasons.

For Lafreniere, IMO he projects best as a shooter and needs someone to get him the puck. I'm really not impressed with his playmaking abilities - outside of the occasional brilliant pass - I don't think he can do it consistently and he's not strong enough on the puck. But as a shooter, he still seems to have no idea how to get open at or between the circles and is too slow to shoot off the pass. I also want to see his shot get harder and more accurate. All of this is coachable/trainable, but he's got to work harder at these specific areas. I'd also like to see him up his compete to where it was in the playoffs and get stronger. If he can do that, he might become a 40 goal guy someday. But if he continues to coast and play undersized, he's never going to be a difference maker. IMO he'll benefit from playing with a tank who can get him the puck...that's one of the reasons I think he had good chemistry with Chytil and Kakko - both of them are strong on the puck so he doesn't have to be.