Post-game thread only 16 pages? Where is everybody?
So happy I can put behind the Mets dismal playoff run,.... with perhaps the best opening night the Rangers ever had!
What a performance! I said Zibad and Kreids looked phenomenal during the preseason, and boy did they come out flying. Zee is a notoriously slow starter to begin his season. But not this year. He was gangbusters. Love how he showed Stamkos he's not the only one with a blistering one-timer. His timing is in mid-season form. And kudos to Trocheck, in giving Zibad that opportunity. Zee lost the face-off cleanly, and Vinny quickly hunted the puck along the boards, and kept it alive for us to gain control. Great play. Doesn't look like we will miss Stromer on the PP at all.
So many played well last night. Kakko was a beast. Man does this look like a bust-out year for him. I could probably say the same for Laffy, but Kakko really caught my eye last night.
Even our 4th line played well. I'm surprised Carpenter made the team, but Gallant had him in Vegas and probably knows what he brings. With that early hit by Reavo, you just knew this team was gonna hit on all cylinders.
I think our blueline has improved immensely with the addition of Zac Jones. He is a force to be reckoned with. This guy can play D, move the puck and gives us another quarterback at the blueline.
We out shot, out hit, and dominated face-offs. Tampa's only goal came on a 5 on 3. I have another wild prediction,.... This will be our best October ever. We can go 9-1, maybe losing to Colorado.
Of note... I knew Vatali would get knocked around being a lightweight, and I am not surprised he got injured. He lasted a minute and a half,... pathetic.
Up next, home opener in Minn. They lost Kevin Fiala and that is a big loss. And Fleury is what 37 now? But they went 6-1 in the preseason beating Colorado and Dallas twice. So it won't be easy.