Post-Game Talk: Rangers @ Predators -- 10/21/21

[Black Tank]

Blais has great hands and if Laf keeps putting himself in the right place, those two are going to create a lot of offense, especially if they come on right after the Zib line and matchup against D3 and D4. For all the bitching about Kakko, his absence is notable on the ice.

 

[TJHKY]

 

[Black Tank]

Can we have a moment to appreciate that this team is much better composed than last year's squad? They lose or are on their heels the whole game with last year's team. Nashville are no joke and this is in the middle of a loooong road trip so it's a tough place to go in and get the 2 pts. ENGs are really underappreciated IMO so I loved Goodrow's steadiness at the end. I get the feeling he can turn it up much more than what he's showed so far.

 

[jay from jersey]

I think a lot of us are feeling the same way. Especially if that 2nd round pick becomes something useful.

Blais, Goodrow, Hunt and Reaves are everything this team was missing last year.

But Drury sucks and had a shitty off season.
Gallant also a big add.
Biggest difference I see, guys actually give a shit again. We’re still not playing as well as we’re capable of, but that’s to be expected with injuries and roster turnover with a new coach.
Last year, if panarin/Zibby don’t score, this team would pack it in and not even think aBout winning.
Trouba has been solid all year, yet the haters are still gonna hate. He’s making Miller a better hockey player. It’s games like tonight that show you why they won’t really have trouble moving him when his nMC expires if they choose to do so.
I’m saving my overall evaluation of the entire team until 18-20 games in.
Shesty is a beast. He’ll be in vezina convo this year.
Blais showing all the schmucks why he was targeted, and not just for “ Tuffness”
If he can keep his injuries in check I’d wager he has a career year.
Kudos to Drury for addressing what was needed in the offseason to breathe some life back into our roster so the players feel more comfortable and start to get their swagger back.
Hopefully chytil can build off his goal and continue playing well.
Still want to see Barron on 3rd line....
All in all, the best is yet to come.....

 

[Black Tank]

For those of you that aren't satisfied with the win. Hopefully this gem from the Devil's - Caps GDT will make you feel better:

"Vesey has been our best player."

That is a very, very poorly structured team. How long is Hughes going to last there? At least with the Rangers they have the luxury of letting talent like Kravstov walk but if Hughes sours on the Debbies the franchise is f***ed. Also, they might think about acquiring an NHL goalie before the season gets out of hand for NJ. Again.

 

[jay from jersey]

Why not something like:

Bread--Zib--Kreider
Laf--Chytois--Blais
Goodrow--Strome--Kakko
Hunt--Rooney--Reaves?

That's a solid 4th and three lines that are each capable of producing.

That’s similar to the make up I was thinking as well.
Blais has the offensive chops to play in the top 6 while adding his physical presence. Barron ideal for that 3C spot over strome, but we’ll worry about that at the end of the year.
Hunt-Rooney-Reaves is good. Keep that unit going.
The biggest question mark is if Zibby/panarin can have the same kind of chemistry 5v5 that they have on the PP. if that duo works, we’ve got it made. If not, he might lobby hard to try and go back to strome.
Panarin likes having control and doing most of the puck work on his line. Strome is like his shine box boy. He’s learned where he needs to go and to always expect panarin to make a pass even if the situation looks impossible.
Problem is, against good teams that play physical and take away the middle ( cross ice passes), it’s Easy to cancel that line and make them a non-factor. Add that to the fact that Panarin/Strome aren’t going to be in the convo with seller candidates either.
Hopefully Zibby/panarin can get it going. If that happens, I think we’re in a much better position to succeed

 

[egelband]

I think Panarin is a little bit sad that him and Shesty are the only Russians left on the team now that Kravstov p***yed out of the AHL for a stint. I’d be in my feelings too if they traded away my boy to the west coast and my other comrade just gave up on the organization. Who knows what he’s going through honestly but he doesn’t look like himself yet.

I understand the logic but just because a guy speaks the same language doesn’t mean they’ll be instant friends. I’ve lived and worked overseas for many many years and most of the Americans I run into are not my cup of tea. I’m sure it’s the same or even more exaggerated for millionaire alpha dog athletes. It’s nice having a guy speak your language and take you under their wing when you’re a kid but I’d venture Panarin has more in common with Kevin Rooney and Filip Chytil than he does with Kravtsov. Though I do reckon Buch is an easy dude to get along with.

 

[The S5]

Panarin will be fine.
Not sure what the concern is regarding Lindgren
Zibby will have a game where he pots 3-4 to make up for his lack of puck luck.
The passing play Fox-Blais-Laf was a thing of beauty. Not sure which pass was better, since both were perfection.
We are going to need some patience with the young guys. They are still learning and will progress under Gallant.

 

[jay from jersey]

I understand the logic but just because a guy speaks the same language doesn’t mean they’ll be instant friends. I’ve lived and worked overseas for many many years and most of the Americans I run into are not my cup of tea. I’m sure it’s the same or even more exaggerated for millionaire alpha dog athletes. It’s nice having a guy speak your language and take you under their wing when you’re a kid but I’d venture Panarin has more in common with Kevin Rooney and Filip Chytil than he does with Kravtsov. Though I do reckon Buch is an easy dude to get along with.

Hopefully he doesn’t have Caviar and Stoli with Georgiev at the Russian tea room every Wednesday night, he gonna be really upset when he’s traded for a more capable back up. Smh

 

[JHS]

Completely different team this season. They are tougher, play harder and look so much more organized. It’s pretty obvious even 5 games in that the structure and ability to move on from mistakes is 100x from what it was under Quinn! I’m very excited about where this team can go!

 

[Hockey Gamer]

I know Strome gets a lot of heat on these boards but for whatever reason, when Panarin plays with him, they both produce a performance that's greater than the sum of their parts. Don't underestimate chemistry. Panarin and Zib made a lot of poor decisions in last night's game with overthinking and trying to set each other up too much. When Strome is healthy again, it will be a big boost to the team.

Igor looks so sharp that it's hard to tell if it's him or Lundqvist still in the net.

 

[pld459666]

Panarin Zibanejad Kreider
Lafreniere Chytil Blais
Goodrow Strome Kakko
Rooney Barron Reaves

 

[pld459666]

Why not something like:

Bread--Zib--Kreider
Laf--Chytois--Blais
Goodrow--Strome--Kakko
Hunt--Rooney--Reaves?

That's a solid 4th and three lines that are each capable of producing.

I like this

 

[SML2]

I'd offer my sister to Shesty.

I don't have a sister, but I agree with this.

I would also offer your sister to Shesty.

 

[TheBloodyNine]

Splitting up Strome and Panarin seems insane to me. Fantastic chemistry there for multiple years.

I’m rolling this:

Panarin - Strome - Kakko
Kreider - Zibanejad - Goodrow
Lafreniere - Chytil - Blais
Barron - Rooney - Reaves
Gauthier

He needs to get used to it since his security blanket won’t be here next season. He makes 11 mill a year he should be able to play with Rooney and still make a difference

 

[rangers1314]

Very happy to be 3-1-1 but certainly haven't played well enough to have that record. Plenty of room for improvement.

 

[dshea19]

My biggest enjoyment from last night: Miller looked really solid. I have been souring on him since he let players stand over the goalie at the end of last season. He did really well last night and he clears the crease now.

 

[TJHKY]

 

[Peltz]

I think Panarin is a little bit sad that him and Shesty are the only Russians left on the team now that Kravstov p***yed out of the AHL for a stint. I’d be in my feelings too if they traded away my boy to the west coast and my other comrade just gave up on the organization. Who knows what he’s going through honestly but he doesn’t look like himself yet.

Isnt Georgiev Russian?

 

[NYROrtsFan]

The two main differences from last year's team are Shesterkin playing like this and having a significant physical element. The roster composition is far better.

Our skill guys have to improve but that will happen. I actually think Z looks good. Panarin is too good not to get things going.

The team is in a good way to be honest.

 

[DialUp]

I got it I got it: Cheque Mates

 

[duhmetreE]

When Zibs starts hitting his shots this will be a much more lethal team

We still need someone else to step and and 'be the man' when it comes to shooting. The passive perimeter loopty loop need to be killed. Laf has shown promise on the PP. That's going to be squashed once Strome gets back. Chytil would even be a good option there to utilize his shot

Need players to go to the center of the ice and live in the high slot. I'd love to see a flow chart from each player.

 

[will1066]

That’s similar to the make up I was thinking as well.
Blais has the offensive chops to play in the top 6 while adding his physical presence. Barron ideal for that 3C spot over strome, but we’ll worry about that at the end of the year.
Hunt-Rooney-Reaves is good. Keep that unit going.
The biggest question mark is if Zibby/panarin can have the same kind of chemistry 5v5 that they have on the PP. if that duo works, we’ve got it made. If not, he might lobby hard to try and go back to strome.
Panarin likes having control and doing most of the puck work on his line. Strome is like his shine box boy. He’s learned where he needs to go and to always expect panarin to make a pass even if the situation looks impossible.
Problem is, against good teams that play physical and take away the middle ( cross ice passes), it’s Easy to cancel that line and make them a non-factor. Add that to the fact that Panarin/Strome aren’t going to be in the convo with seller candidates either.
Hopefully Zibby/panarin can get it going. If that happens, I think we’re in a much better position to succeed

Joe M. mentioned a few times in like the second or third game of the season that Blais has top 6 potential. I thought he was delusional.

Isnt Georgiev Russian?

Bulgarian

 

[nyr2k2]

Isnt Georgiev Russian?

He was born in Bulgaria but moved sometime thereafter to Russia I believe and has represented Russia internationally.

 

[duhmetreE]

watching him play is beautiful.