Post-Game Talk: Rangers @ Islanders -- Happy Thanksgiving

[PuckLuck3043]

Who genuinely thought we’d be 19-12-4 by T’giving? Crazy!

You mean 12-4-3 after 19 and 12 of them on the road.

 

[egelband]

Reavo setting up goals and Laf fighting….

just like we drew it up!

I laughed out loud watching Pageau get up and skate off after Lafreniere did…something…all over him. He looked like Ed Helms waking up the next morning in The Hangover.

 

[egelband]

I’ll give the isles credit. They played their system. They’re a tough team to score on. Rangers were never really threatened by the isles attack but the rangers couldn’t really get a ton of great chances either. The difference was literally the talent level.

 

[egelband]

While the isles are decimated and have zero attack the actual biggest losers today were the refs. How awful were they. Falling for all the isles flopping. And a ref looking right at Pageau beaning Lindgren and - I guess he was in a fugue state - but somehow missing it. The officiating needs an overhaul. Game management on top of visual impairment is not a good mix.

 

[2014nyr]

start was so-so, regardless of their roster great to see us take over a game on the scoreboard and physically. refs really screwed up flow of the game through 2 periods.

liked the potential for the mika/panarin line mixups.

love seeing fox and laf responses.

really liked laf's game overall. extremely physical but effectively physical, not just running around for the hell of it. continues to play on the puck more and liked him taking some guys on. idno why anyone would have a negative word...wasn't perfect but love seeing him fighting for/harder on the puck, handling the puck more, and looking to create. he's coming along. really like how that line is playing across the board.

igor wasn't tested a ton but its incredible how good he's been. when we were a mess defensively he was a rock stopping 40+ a night. tonight was fairly quiet but when we have a boondoggle oh boy do we have a boondoggle - can't under appreciate how big those saves are / tough those can be for goalies.

 

[will1066]

Just watched the encore.

- The team's structure in their own end is so good right now. The D is getting huge support from the forwards. They're giving Shesty the initial shot and letting him kick rebounds out of danger and everyone works as a unit of five to prevent second opportunities

- Got killed on faceoffs for 2 periods but did a complete 180 in the third, dominated the faceoff dot

- Put Kakko back with Panarin and Strome and put Hunt with Mika and Kreider. Panarin and Strome were not the same without Kakko. Thought Kakko was ok with Kreider and Mika though it was his play that started the Mika and Kreider give and go goal. Not sure what the reasoning was for those two line combinations

- Laf was a beast away from the puck. He laid some heavy hits notwithstanding making Pageau his bitch at the end. He's finishing his checks. He's skating and he's playing with snarl. How about that dangle right off the opening faceoff play?

- Lundkvist looked like a different player tonight. Real good game from him

- Kreider's deflections are at ludicrous levels now. That Andreoff deflection was sick also

- That Reaves feed must've shocked the entire arena. That was such a skilled play

- Goodrow is in his element on the fourth line, working really well with Reaves and Rooney

- Honestly thought the Pageau hit was clean but have to look at it again

- The officiating, geezus

 

[will1066]

When a shorter guy hits the other one with shoulder to head...it had intent. Just watch him left his front leg up. Basically launching but his back skate stays on the ice, but that's how you get the vertical thrust to a head shot

Thought the hit was clean but gotta look at it again with your observation in mind

 

[will1066]

I’ll give the isles credit. They played their system. They’re a tough team to score on. Rangers were never really threatened by the isles attack but the rangers couldn’t really get a ton of great chances either. The difference was literally the talent level.

I thought that we finally have a structure to match theirs. We were just as structured as them 5v5. We're moving faster as a team too. It's very noticeable these past couple of games. We're breaking up opponents' forecheck and moving the puck out of our zone really quickly.

 

[PuckLuck3043]

The Rangers were Ok but next game need more offensive zone time. Just get behind their defense and work them. Refs were awful as usual. Game management to a tee. A desperate team is always a little dangerous even though the Isles really do suck and that was before the last 2 covid protocol games. They are done and buried in last place. Just like the turkey tomorrow, you can stick a fork in 'em. We have a very good 4th line and good to see Kakko extend his point streak to 5. It's obvious we aren't going to take any shit. LGR!!

 

[Tob]

What was AV's 1st season terrible start record again?

 

[egelband]

Thought the hit was clean but gotta look at it again with your observation in mind

I didn’t think the hit was awful but it was certainly a penalty. And it was doubly troubling that the ref was standing right there. I assume that’s why the refs didn’t assess Lafreniere an instigator for his roughing up Player Small P.

The refs were awful in general. The Isles game plan appeared to be ‘flop for power plays and hope to sneak in a few lucky ones’. Which makes sense. But the refs fell for it. Which is the sad bit.

 

[aufheben]

Hope the Isles enjoyed seeing the light of day for a couple years.

 

[Ola]

I’m pleasantly surprised that Reaves doesn’t suck

Reeves has become so much better over the years too.

 

[bleedblue94]

This might be the most i've ever loved Kreider, you can tell he's loving this new team.

Think it's becoming clear who is leading this team at this time. I was very skeptical of kreider ending up with the c but his play and outward attitude this year has been outstanding. It's what we have all been hoping for from him for the last decade

 

[bleedblue94]

Reavo is a good locker room guy.

He's the kind of guy that bring an infectious swagger to a team.

 

[bleedblue94]

Lmao, at the Isles announcers crying and pouting that Laf didn't get an instigator penalty which would carry a 1 game suspension for being in the final few minutes of the game

I missed the game tonight but just watching this video is... Impressive.

It's been a very very long time since we had a team that actually acted like a team and stood up for each other. Watching a 20 year old kid and other Norris trophy winner among others deal w that shit bird pageau just brings a smile to my face. Legit team mentality and toughness.

 

[Chimpradamus]

So nice to have a real 4th line. Not a employee in training group with Brett Howden.

Yup, considering how small margins there are now, having a 4th line that at least maintains or even develops momentum and pressure for the team is huge. Compare that to Vancouver for example where both bottom lines are trash. They're getting nowhere. Good depth is extremely important, especially in the playoffs.

 

[egelband]

I missed the game tonight but just watching this video is... Impressive.

It's been a very very long time since we had a team that actually acted like a team and stood up for each other. Watching a 20 year old kid and other Norris trophy winner among others deal w that shit bird pageau just brings a smile to my face. Legit team mentality and toughness.

I agree but I’d also like to see the pushback against guys who aren’t twerps like Pageau. I mean, my five year could beat him up.


And she’s a pacifist!

 

[Claxton]

A Fox outside my kitchen window at 3 a.m.

 

[Jauffre]

Listening to some music post-game, my favorite rapper rn is Royce da 5-9-2

 

[egelband]

I thought Lundkvist was very good. Played with some verve.

 

[Ola]

What was AV's 1st season terrible start record again?

I dont remember but I checked the details a little while ago and it wasn’t nearly as bad as I remember it. But we had a number of games early that were super bad giving up 7-8 goals or whatever.

 

[ThirdEye]

Miller is a damn eraser out there. When he's in his prime he's going to be one or the most frustrating D men to get beat.

Lunkdvist had by far his most physical game as well.

 

[Ola]

The Rangers were Ok but next game need more offensive zone time. Just get behind their defense and work them. Refs were awful as usual. Game management to a tee. A desperate team is always a little dangerous even though the Isles really do suck and that was before the last 2 covid protocol games. They are done and buried in last place. Just like the turkey tomorrow, you can stick a fork in 'em. We have a very good 4th line and good to see Kakko extend his point streak to 5. It's obvious we aren't going to take any shit. LGR!!

Yeah, and I think there are still grounds to expect this team to keep moving in the right direction. I was never that down on the team early, it was obvious that they focused on the crucial aspects and with all the road games and everything we definitely surrendered in some aspects which made us look ugly for long looks, while still staying in games.

I still think we can (a) develop a lot more swagger as a team with the puck in other areas than in front of the net, (b) each line basically can learn to know their linemates better and become more effective, (c) Panarin seem to have gotten going more now but Ziba is still slow of the starting block. Its forgotten, but guys like Trouba and Miller are also relatively "new" on this team, they aren't 100% comfortable in their roles. Winning really accelerate that process. Some individual can simply raise their game.

I also hope that Gallant can build up a saving capital of trust from the fans and media. I am sure many aspects of his work can be questioned, but he is patient and that is the reason for why we have this record. Hanging out players for showing up out of shape for camp, disciplining players during our poor start play wise, being insecure would have created issues that we avoided.

There -- will -- come adversity for Gallant to. NY is quick to turn on coaches. It will benefit this team if it doesn't start to storm too much around the team during those periods and Gallant can stay patient.

 

[Ola]

Miller is a damn eraser out there. When he's in his prime he's going to be one or the most frustrating D men to get beat.

Lunkdvist had by far his most physical game as well.

Give me a bet on K'Andre Miller being Top 3 in Norris voting at least once during his career and I would definitely consider it.