Post-Game Talk: Rangers @ Bruins -- Black Friday

[ohbaby]

My 20 game assessment of the Rangers so far this season. I thought for sure they were playing over their heads early on in the season. After all, Shesty stole a few games, and their goals for production is not what you expect from a team with their record. It was only very recently they even had a plus goal differential. Take away their last two wins they had a zero goal differential with a record of 11-4-3. Now at 13-4-3 they are a plus 6. While the two teams that are two points ahead of them in the standings, are +23 and +24.

Early in the season I took a lot of flak for making a reasonable prediction that they would not do so well for the first 12 games, being they were mostly on the road against west coast teams. And I was mostly right. They didn't have a winning record but did have a winning point percentage which was better than I thought they would. I also didn't have much faith in Gerard Gallant heading into the season, with the bonehead moves he made. Having Georgie start the season, not naming a captain, and cutting Vitali to protect Hajek. But I have to give credit where credit is due, and Gallant seems to have confidence in his youngsters,... and in turn their confidence is growing and they are responding. There is not one youngster who is not playing well. Chytil, Kakko, Hunt, Gauthier, Lindgren, and Fox have never played better in their lives. And Laffy and Lundy are slowly coming along. And even K'Andre has been showing signs, although he has been a bit erratic this year in his own end. And so, you have to give the coach some credit for that. I still feel they are weak on the right side, but with Hunt and Gauthier playing lights out of late, this team weakness is hardly noticeable. We will see how long it will last. We are asking Hunt, Gauthier, Goodrow, and Kakko to perform better than they ever have before, and so far so good. But it's a long season that could turn on a dime. Still too early to proclaim they are playoff bound, but the odds say it is in their favor.

There is also another factor involved in their success. They have to pray they don't get hit by COVID. They won't survive an outbreak. They don't have the depth. There are a few teams this year that won't bounce back from it. I believe the Isles are one of those teams. The Pens are managing it well but they are the exception. Come playoffs, or for that matter making the playoffs,... COVID protocols will have huge implications in a team's success. The timing of these outbreaks will be critical. It might be good the Isles went through this early in the season. After all, they weren't expected to do well with their first 13 games on the road while finishing up their new arena.

I don't know how the NHL agreed to play in the Olympics this year with COVID. With all the postponed games, and the Olympic break, the schedule for the season is a disaster in the making,... leaving more players prone to the virus. Too much exertion and exercise weakens your immunity. And they will be playing 14 games every month the rest of the season except in February (Olympics). A game every other day will be too much for their immune systems to handle. It seems likely the majority of NHL teams will suffer though outbreaks this year with the condensed and intense schedule. The vaccines are good for protecting against severe disease, but not that effective in stopping the spread. Therefore, many positives will keep players off the ice.

 

[Ola]

Him pulling Georgiev going into the 3rd period vs Buffalo was his shot across the bow to Drury that he needs a better backup (and shot to Georgie that he needs to be better if he wants to stay).

Yeah, probably. At the same time, Geo's issues are confidence related. All of a sudden those things just turns a corner.

 

[leetch99]

Can we just take a minute and appreciate Lafreniere burying that 4th goal top titty? Great, confident snipe by the kid.

And Gauthier just impresses big time on his assists. A guy like him, don't wanna get ahead of myself, but that skill set is huge in the playoffs in a tight game when you have a bull with that kind of speed on the bottom lines who can create a rush chance out of nothing. When the games are crazy tight, having a third liner who can push the pace and create chances off the rush - even if he doesn't score which Gauthier doesn't - being able to create high danger chances is huge.

.....and have somebody hook him and draw a penalty when it is needed for a PP attempt .

 

[AKrangerfan]

Gauthier can't seem to finish himself. If he passes to goal scorers like he did this game he could rack up a bunch of points. I hope he can see that and continues doing it. The goal that Laf scored was a thing of beauty.

 

[egelband]

Him pulling Georgiev going into the 3rd period vs Buffalo was his shot across the bow to Drury that he needs a better backup (and shot to Georgie that he needs to be better if he wants to stay).

I’m guessing Georgiev gets one more shot.

 

[egelband]

Yeah, probably. At the same time, Geo's issues are confidence related. All of a sudden those things just turns a corner.

I think confidence is part of it but also it’s reps. He just hasn’t played enough competitive hockey in the past few years. His main problem is shrinking into his net because an attacker is crowding him. That’s the kind of thing that doesn’t happen as aggressively in practice as it does in live game action. That’s my sense, anyhow. I don’t think that will come around until he gets a good run of play and that’s not happening with the rangers. Sadly, because I think he’s skilled. But for all parties, probably a trade would be best.

 

[egelband]

Gauthier can't seem to finish himself. If he passes to goal scorers like he did this game he could rack up a bunch of points. I hope he can see that and continues doing it. The goal that Laf scored was a thing of beauty.

Also, the havoc Gauthier creates is a weapon in and of itself. Some people goof on him for not finishing. But a guy going to the net like that regularly will pay dividends regardless. And he’ll eventually start potting at least a few of them.

 

[Shesterkybomb]

I am hoping Gauthier has turned a corner. He always had potential, with his skill and speed. His problem was mental mistakes. But it is rare now you see him make any mistakes ever since he got back into the lineup. He always had that ability to go hard to the net, crush opponents, and display soft hands, but was a liability defensively. That has all changed with the chance he got with Blais going down. He might have finally matured into the player we see today. I'm hoping he keeps it up and doesn't backpedal. If so, he can be an important piece to this team as you mentioned.

Define rare? This is the issue with the board here, if the guy plays the exact game two days in a row and gets nothing in the first game he's inept and if he grabs a couple points in the 2nd game he's "not making the same mental mistakes....." . He's still not good in his own end, he just happened to grab a couple points, he played well ahead of the blueline, nothing has changed behind that. He's been effective but the mistakes are still there, they're just covered up by a couple of assists.

 

[Kovalev27]

People are being kind to Georgiev here. Let’s not forget he lost the net to Keith Kinkaid last year when Igor got hurt. He couldn’t make saves when he was playing every game either.

even at his best he could not string 3 good games together. It would be two then the third would be an implosion


He’s awful

 

[Doctyl]

I think confidence is part of it but also it’s reps. He just hasn’t played enough competitive hockey in the past few years. His main problem is shrinking into his net because an attacker is crowding him. That’s the kind of thing that doesn’t happen as aggressively in practice as it does in live game action. That’s my sense, anyhow. I don’t think that will come around until he gets a good run of play and that’s not happening with the rangers. Sadly, because I think he’s skilled. But for all parties, probably a trade would be best.

I’d argue he has played far too much competitive hockey over the past 2 years for his results. Quinn gave him 18 and 32 starts in the shortened seasons which I feel is a lot for a guy who isn’t playing decent hockey

 

[Doctyl]

People are being kind to Georgiev here. Let’s not forget he lost the net to Keith Kinkaid last year when Igor got hurt. He couldn’t make saves when he was playing every game either.

even at his best he could not string 3 good games together. It would be two then the third would be an implosion


He’s awful

He’s legitimately a bottom 10 goalie in the league (yes, including backups). Most of the goalie bitching we see on this board is because we are unbelievably spoiled by Hank and Igor, but Geo is just game changingly bad.

 

[Ola]

The AV teams just steadily got worse, it was so annoying. AV really didn't know how to run an effective defense (still doesn't really) and ditching Stralman and bringing in Boyle probably should have had more analysis at the time. I've always said "yeah the Rangers D was extremely low scoring that year and that was a big concern" but Stralman was real good, Boyle wasn't the answer, and AV's influence on the roster seemed to make it worse every year

but maybe I'm blaming him too much.

Nah, I think AVs game has passed the expiration date. You need to be able to be more solid defensively than you can be with that man-man D.

 

[egelband]

I’d argue he has played far too much competitive hockey over the past 2 years for his results. Quinn gave him 18 and 32 starts in the shortened seasons which I feel is a lot for a guy who isn’t playing decent hockey

Fair point. I still think that he was rushed and has talent and needs more development.

 

[ohbaby]

Define rare? This is the issue with the board here, if the guy plays the exact game two days in a row and gets nothing in the first game he's inept and if he grabs a couple points in the 2nd game he's "not making the same mental mistakes....." . He's still not good in his own end, he just happened to grab a couple points, he played well ahead of the blueline, nothing has changed behind that. He's been effective but the mistakes are still there, they're just covered up by a couple of assists.

Julien Gauthier has made hardly any mistakes since he has been back in the lineup. And that has been a bit longer than two games. He has only been playing 10 minutes per game, and was very noticeable every time he's been on the ice. Finishing his checks, getting it in deep, using his speed, and making plays. In his 7 games since he has been back, he is a plus 3. And doing it on a third line that is not exactly lighting up the tote board. Gallant has every reason to applaud his play of late.

This was a hell of a goal unassisted, his third game back, at a key time in the game,... that turned out to be the game winning goal.


I don't know if he can keep this up, but I'm hoping he could. That maybe he has matured into the player we see today. He has scored all 4 of his points in the 7 games he has been back in the lineup. And has had more hits than Jacob Trouba in those 7 games. And Trouba plays over 20 minutes a game.

 

[Kovalev27]

He’s legitimately a bottom 10 goalie in the league (yes, including backups). Most of the goalie bitching we see on this board is because we are unbelievably spoiled by Hank and Igor, but Geo is just game changingly bad.

bottom 10? You’re being way too nice as well!

he’s literally the worst goalie in the league

 

[SnowblindNYR]

I’m guessing Georgiev gets one more shot.

What's the definition of insanity again?

 

[SnowblindNYR]

People are being kind to Georgiev here. Let’s not forget he lost the net to Keith Kinkaid last year when Igor got hurt. He couldn’t make saves when he was playing every game either.

even at his best he could not string 3 good games together. It would be two then the third would be an implosion


He’s awful

Say this louder for the people in the back. He was a guy that would have an amazing start, follow it up by an average start and follow that up by what we see now. We were hoping the amazing starts would become more often instead it was the opposite.

 

[GoAwayPanarin]

Fair point. I still think that he was rushed and has talent and needs more development.

I don't know that he was rushed. His rookie season was very strong.

I don't know what happened after that. I wasn't expecting him to be Henrik or even Talbot but hes been basically retirement ready Biron for the better part of 2+ years.

 

[Larrybiv]

Panarin fined $5,000(The maximum allowed) for throwing his glove.

That's $1,000 per finger!
Panarin should have saved himself 4,000 and just giving him one finger.

 

[Larrybiv]

If you want more hockey you could catch a glimpse of the great Vitali Kravtsov at 9:10AM tomorrow

Yeah well, seems I have drawn a line to root for a player on the "off chance" of he becoming a glorified Ranger. I root for the team, and if he happens to wear that jersey, well then.....I will root for him. He blew his chance for my fandom, now he has to PROVE to me, that he wants to be a Ranger, otherwise F...
Off and die. Hope to eat those words, but oh well.

 

[egelband]

I don't know that he was rushed. His rookie season was very strong.

I don't know what happened after that. I wasn't expecting him to be Henrik or even Talbot but hes been basically retirement ready Biron for the better part of 2+ years.

I suppose I’m sort of just grasping for an explanation but he was quite young when he came up. Got a good amount of action and looked solid and promising - I think he was starting for a bit - and then when Henrik came back, AG just sat. As far as I remember. I don’t think he went back to the AHL - at least for any substantial amount of time.

 

[Shesterkybomb]

Julien Gauthier has made hardly any mistakes since he has been back in the lineup. And that has been a bit longer than two games. He has only been playing 10 minutes per game, and was very noticeable every time he's been on the ice. Finishing his checks, getting it in deep, using his speed, and making plays. In his 7 games since he has been back, he is a plus 3. And doing it on a third line that is not exactly lighting up the tote board. Gallant has every reason to applaud his play of late.

This was a hell of a goal unassisted, his third game back, at a key time in the game,... that turned out to be the game winning goal.


I don't know if he can keep this up, but I'm hoping he could. That maybe he has matured into the player we see today. He has scored all 4 of his points in the 7 games he has been back in the lineup. And has had more hits than Jacob Trouba in those 7 games. And Trouba plays over 20 minutes a game.

I agree with everything you say about how he plays from the blueline in, but he hasn't been better in his own end , he's lost in there and it's part of the reason that line isn't getting more minutes.

 

[TheGortonConspiracy]

Lol, not surprised, I was a little taken aback by the people asking for Marchand to be fined or penalized for whatever comments. He probably said a lot more than this quote but we will never know. It's all part of the game folks.
Then again Marchand has never had to worry about the KGB like Panarin has...

 

[bhamill]

Lol, not surprised, I was a little taken aback by the people asking for Marchand to be fined or penalized for whatever comments. He probably said a lot more than this quote but we will never know. It's all part of the game folks.
Then again Marchand has never had to worry about the KGB like Panarin has...

Ahahaha. Yeah. Like Brad Marchand ever said just one thing. The guy's mouth never stops. I doubt that is what set off Panarin, probably just sick of Marchand's constant nonsense.

 

[Raspewtin]

Lol, not surprised, I was a little taken aback by the people asking for Marchand to be fined or penalized for whatever comments. He probably said a lot more than this quote but we will never know. It's all part of the game folks.
Then again Marchand has never had to worry about the KGB like Panarin has...

You don't truly believe that's all he said, do you?

Come on.