Post-Game Talk: Rangers @ Aardvarks

[McRanger92]

Mentally soft core that went to the ECFs two out of the last three years. There's so much conjecture and people talking out of their asses it's insane. The way some posters speak with such absolute certainty, you'd think they'd have a stall in the locker room in between Mika & Kreider. The truth is, no one knows what was going on with the team. I'm sure guys were pissed, I'm sure some guys were legitimately hurt, but the way this fanbase turned on this team with the personal insults and pouting is f***ing toxic and embarrassing

Don't need to be in the locker room to see they were making business decisions for a month. If you're Ok with that its your prerogative but I expect more from athletes representing an Original 6 franchise.

 

[Cmox]

Even though Bread scored two last night, I hate that he shot passed to Carrick skates before the empty netter. Luckily, Carrick got control. But a lot of the team have this issue of complete panic while trying to clear the puck. It's been an issue for a seasons now. We all know this but it really annoys me.

 

[CLW]

Sam Carrick's going to carrick this team to the playoffs. So there's that.

 

[will1066]

Sam Carrick's going to carrick this team to the playoffs. So there's that.

His confidence is burgeoning. Or should i say borgening.

 

[SnowblindNYR]

Borgen is a really solid and steady player. He's the type of no fuss, rock solid, reliable defender we haven't really had. He really feels like he can anchor a shut down pair, basically what Trouba was supposed to be (defensively anyway, Trouba is the superior player offensively).

I'd think really hard before moving Borgen. If he'd sign for something around 4x4 I think I'd do that, unless somebody is offering a first for him. I think you keep him and staple him to K'Andre. If someone is offering a first or Borgen wants too much dough then trade him, but if everything is fair I think I'd prefer to keep him.

Our defense right now is good enough to win with. The problems are out goaltending and all of our scorers sucking this year.

 

[McRanger92]

Our defense right now is good enough to win with. The problems are out goaltending and all of our scorers sucking this year.

Ehhhhh idk about that Lindgren as a top pair D is good enough to get you to the ECF riding your goalies .940 save%. They need an upgrade there or we are spinning our wheels.

 

[FUZfan]

Mika seems like he's playing with the primary goal of avoiding as much physical contact as possible. Rewatching the game right now and there was a play in the first with about 8 minutes left in the period. The rangers are trying to break out of their zone and a defenseman passes the puck to Mika who's in between the rangers blue line and the red line. The puck is behind Mika and there's a Utah forward loosely checking him a few feet away. Mika made no attempt to play the puck. He could have reached behind him and tried controlling it but didn't. Zero effort. And it turned into an icing. I watched the play 4 times and while it's difficult to gauge how close he was to the puck I'm pretty sure he could have at least tried. But that would have made him open to a body check.

Can't have your highest paid C playing like that.

 

[ArPanet]

Missed most of the game thread so apologies if this was posted there. (It’s Sam’s tribute from Utah, in case the link fails.)

Anyone know anyone in Rangers PR ? Would love to see them put together a highlight reel at end of season for all the road game shoutouts to Sammy.

Coming soon: This is your Sam Rosen retirement tribute video brought to you by General Motors.

 

[ReleasO The KakkO]

The way some posters speak with such absolute certainty, you'd think they'd have a stall in the locker room in between Mika & Kreider.

Ah hem.

There is zero space between these two.

 

[HockeyBasedNYC]

Mika seems like he's playing with the primary goal of avoiding as much physical contact as possible. Rewatching the game right now and there was a play in the first with about 8 minutes left in the period. The rangers are trying to break out of their zone and a defenseman passes the puck to Mika who's in between the rangers blue line and the red line. The puck is behind Mika and there's a Utah forward loosely checking him a few feet away. Mika made no attempt to play the puck. He could have reached behind him and tried controlling it but didn't. Zero effort. And it turned into an icing. I watched the play 4 times and while it's difficult to gauge how close he was to the puck I'm pretty sure he could have at least tried. But that would have made him open to a body check.

Can't have your highest paid C playing like that.

If you watch closely enough youll see him take the easy way out or flat out quit on plays multiple times a game.

Its forgivable if you are putting up solid 1C numbers and pitching in defensively as he has in the past. But that is long gone so you would expect more willingness to make up for it.

 

[McRanger92]

Mika seems like he's playing with the primary goal of avoiding as much physical contact as possible. Rewatching the game right now and there was a play in the first with about 8 minutes left in the period. The rangers are trying to break out of their zone and a defenseman passes the puck to Mika who's in between the rangers blue line and the red line. The puck is behind Mika and there's a Utah forward loosely checking him a few feet away. Mika made no attempt to play the puck. He could have reached behind him and tried controlling it but didn't. Zero effort. And it turned into an icing. I watched the play 4 times and while it's difficult to gauge how close he was to the puck I'm pretty sure he could have at least tried. But that would have made him open to a body check.

Can't have your highest paid C playing like that.

These guys make turns on the ice like a cruise ship. Not quick cuts. Just gliding around wasting time. Mika, Miller, Panarin are the chief culprits, but a lot of guys do it. 0 urgency.

 

[Levitate]

If you watch closely enough youll see him take the easy way out or flat out quit on plays multiple times a game.

Its forgivable if you are putting up solid 1C numbers and pitching in defensively as he has in the past. But that is long gone so you would expect more willingness to make up for it.

yeah he's played like he doesn't want tomake contact with anyone for awhile now...it's sad to watch

 

[HockeyBasedNYC]

yeah he's played like he doesn't want tomake contact with anyone for awhile now...it's sad to watch

FYI Drury played the same way after he had a few concussions. Didnt sniff the middle of the ice

 

[Captain Lindy]

Mika seems like he's playing with the primary goal of avoiding as much physical contact as possible. Rewatching the game right now and there was a play in the first with about 8 minutes left in the period. The rangers are trying to break out of their zone and a defenseman passes the puck to Mika who's in between the rangers blue line and the red line. The puck is behind Mika and there's a Utah forward loosely checking him a few feet away. Mika made no attempt to play the puck. He could have reached behind him and tried controlling it but didn't. Zero effort. And it turned into an icing. I watched the play 4 times and while it's difficult to gauge how close he was to the puck I'm pretty sure he could have at least tried. But that would have made him open to a body check.

Can't have your highest paid C playing like that.

On the first goal against he had possession, saw two Utah players coming towards him and gave it up like it smelled bad. He is so easy to get off the puck it's ridiculous.

 

[Boris Zubov]

On the first goal against he had possession, saw two Utah players coming towards him and gave it up like it smelled bad. He is so easy to get off the puck it's ridiculous.

That was rough outing all around for him. Moving forward we all need adjust our expectations if he's going to be here awhile. It's going to be a roller coaster of a few games like last night mixed in with the last 5-6 where he looks like a very average 2C. The player he was that peaked with a 5 goal game is long gone.

 

[chris kontos]

arthur rocket richard kaliyev

 

[Gordon Bombay]

The player he was that peaked with a 5 goal game is long gone.

That 5 goal game was one of my favorite Ranger games of all time.

Bought a Mika shirt that night. The following morning saw my buddy while driving to work. I looked over and gave him the Booker T “5 time” hand while saying 5 goals. Not recommended while on 87 south by the way.

That Mika was awesome. He was all over the place. Dude looks cooked though. Deteriorating hand eye skills and fear of more concussions. Bad combo

 

[Boris Zubov]

That 5 goal game was one of my favorite Ranger games of all time.

Bought a Mika shirt that night. The following morning saw my buddy while driving to work. I looked over and gave him the Booker T “5 time” hand while saying 5 goals. Not recommended while on 87 south by the way.

That Mika was awesome. He was all over the place. Dude looks cooked though. Deteriorating hand eye skills and fear of more concussions. Bad combo

A lot of people don't remember this, & I'm sure I wouldn't either had I not been there, but the next game vs the Devils, Zib actually scored the 1st goal of the night. The crowd at MSG that Saturday night was still electric from the 5 goal game two nights earlier.

Side note, that was Igor's rookie season & he wound up getting pulled in the 2nd period. Turned out to be Hank's last MSG appearance, as Covid ramped up the following week.

 

[Gordon Bombay]

A lot of people don't remember this, & I'm sure I wouldn't either had I not been there, but the next game vs the Devils, Zib actually scored the 1st goal of the night. The crowd at MSG that Saturday night was still electric from the 5 goal game two nights earlier.

Side note, that was Igor's rookie season & he wound up getting pulled in the 2nd period. Turned out to be Hank's last MSG appearance, as Covid ramped up the following week.

That’s awesome being able to see Hanks last game. Honestly the last time I saw Hank at the Garden may have been when he took the puck to the neck lol. There was a few year gap of not going to games. Hope I’m not approaching that again!

 

[McRanger92]

That 5 goal game was one of my favorite Ranger games of all time.

Bought a Mika shirt that night. The following morning saw my buddy while driving to work. I looked over and gave him the Booker T “5 time” hand while saying 5 goals. Not recommended while on 87 south by the way.

That Mika was awesome. He was all over the place. Dude looks cooked though. Deteriorating hand eye skills and fear of more concussions. Bad combo

He's been really skittish since he collided with Pelech inadvertently last year.