Post-Game Talk: Rangers v. Bruins - Game 2 PGT

[Inferno]

I'm not Torts hater (far from it), but the PP vehemently disagrees.

Like it or not, the fact that the PP is and will be our downfall has a lot to do with the coach.

Says who?

The PP worked just fine for Washington, they lost.

Boston won a Stanley Cup w.o a PP, you think they are upset about that?

The downfall of this team, this far, has been stupidity more than anything else.

 

[HockeyBasedNYC]

To me, the PP has been the biggest reason. The failed 5 on 3's killed them in the Washington series. Everytime the Rangers get a PP it seems to be at the perfect time in the game to really sway the momentum.

The Rangers are down 3-2 in the Boston game and im asking myself how in the **** is this the score when the Rangers played a fine game through 2 periods. Throw a PP goal into the mix in the first and take a lead and the entire complexion of the game changes.

They don't have to score on every single one. But like i said, throw 4 or 5 more goals on the PP into this playoffs and this team is looking a lot better today.

If I have to point to one thing, its that - because theyve stayed out of the box, and they are doing what they need to do to draw powerplays. Thats the sign of a good 5 on 5 team. The only team with more PP opps in the playoffs is Pittsburgh. They have failed to take advantage of enormous opportunities that other teams havent even had the luxury of getting...

 

[Clowes Line]

To me, the PP has been the biggest reason. The failed 5 on 3's killed them in the Washington series. Everytime the Rangers get a PP it seems to be at the perfect time in the game to really sway the momentum.

The Rangers are down 3-2 in the Boston game and im asking myself how in the **** is this the score when the Rangers played a fine game through 2 periods. Throw a PP goal into the mix in the first and take a lead and the entire complexion of the game changes.

They don't have to score on every single one. But like i said, throw 4 or 5 more goals into this playoffs and this team is looking a lot better today.

If I have to point to one thing, its that - because theyve stayed out of the box, and they are doing what they need to do to draw powerplays. Thats the sign of a good 5 on 5 team. The only team with more PP opps in the playoffs is Pittsburgh.

0-19 on the PP in our last 5 games. I wanna puke.

 

[Tawnos]

Says who?

The PP worked just fine for Washington, they lost.

Boston won a Stanley Cup w.o a PP, you think they are upset about that?

The downfall of this team, this far, has been stupidity more than anything else.

Yeah, I looked it up. The Bruins powerplay was 11.4% in 2011. Anemic, at best. 10 goals in 88 opportunities.

As much as I would like to blame the powerplay, the Rangers had plenty of chances to score at even strength yesterday and failed. These were winnable games.

What's frustrating is how every game seems to be this way. We've played 9 games in the playoffs. We've had the lead in 7 of those games and, of those 7, we lost 3. Washington needed an OT shutout to beat us in one other. The powerplay could've provided the edge we needed, but we shouldn't be relying on it in the first place. This team is built to play at even strength. We were 3rd in the league in goal ratio 5-on-5 during the regular season (of course, Boston was 4th...). We shouldn't need the powerplay to be winning these games.

Last year, it seemed like this team would find ways to win all the time. This year, it seems like the team is finding ways to lose.

 

[Fanned On It]

Who will Henrik blame this one on?

You've got some nerve posting that after our goalie single-handedly gets us into the second round of the playoffs. I'll say that this wasn't his best effort, but did you see how our F'ING DEFENSE played yesterday? GIRARDI? He was half-asleep for the entire game. That Marchand goal? All on Girardi. That is NOT how you play defense.

Hank maybe let in one soft goal...

 

[Inferno]

Yeah, I looked it up. The Bruins powerplay was 11.4% in 2011. Anemic, at best. 10 goals in 88 opportunities.

As much as I would like to blame the powerplay, the Rangers had plenty of chances to score at even strength yesterday and failed. These were winnable games.

What's frustrating is how every game seems to be this way. We've played 9 games in the playoffs. We've had the lead in 7 of those games and, of those 7, we lost 3. Washington needed an OT shutout to beat us in one other. The powerplay could've provided the edge we needed, but we shouldn't be relying on it in the first place. This team is built to play at even strength. We were 3rd in the league in goal ratio 5-on-5 during the regular season (of course, Boston was 4th...). We shouldn't need the powerplay to be winning these games.

Last year, it seemed like this team would find ways to win all the time. This year, it seems like the team is finding ways to lose.

agreed...Rangers just arent playing smart enough to win....

decision making has been horrendous, nobody typifies it more than Brad Richards, a player brought in for his hockey iq no less.

 

[Fanned On It]

agreed...Rangers just arent playing smart enough to win....

decision making has been horrendous, nobody typifies it more than Brad Richards, a player brought in for his hockey iq no less.

Exactly. Bone-headed decisions are what has held us back so far.

 

[Inferno]

Exactly. Bone-headed decisions are what has held us back so far.

Yep...and it's not like the coach can change that....

 

[NYRSchrute217]

agreed...Rangers just arent playing smart enough to win....

decision making has been horrendous, nobody typifies it more than Brad Richards, a player brought in for his hockey iq no less.

The funniest part is half the time the dumb decisions are from being lazy, not creative.

 

[Callagraves]

Torts had some good things to say

"I am very optimistic about where we are going. I am very encouraged by what I saw on the tape. The mistakes we made are ones we never make. I'm looking forward to Game Three."

I suppose he figures the D won't be awful two games in a row, and we were getting chances. If we can put the positives together at the same time, we're good.

 

[Callagraves]

Somebody get Olivia Munn on the phone

LOL. I don't know how this got missed.

 

[chosen]

That is a loaded question. Do you consider Torts above average ?

It's not even close to a loaded question. It's a direct question to those who don't like him.

By definition these people think Torts is below average. Therefore it is a fair question to ask them how they think the Rangers would end up this year with an average coach.

 

[MessierIsGod]

Torts had some good things to say



I suppose he figures the D won't be awful two games in a row, and we were getting chances. If we can put the positives together at the same time, we're good.

What else can he say? That our PP system is predicated on luck. That the other team has better players. Our best player in the series so far has been the goal frame behind hank which made 5 unbelievable saves.

 

[Evgeny Oliker]

...

It's not even close to a loaded question. It's a direct question to those who don't like him.

By definition these people think Torts is below average. Therefore it is a fair question to ask them how they think the Rangers would end up this year with an average coach.

The coach is important but he is not everything. Unless you are upgrading from say Torts to Bowman, going from a slightly below average coach(Torts) to an average coach is not going to make a huge difference.

Look at the Caps, they got a new coach in Oates, he has done a great job, yet the team is still not showing up for big games (same as last year's playoffs). The Rangers actually do show up to big games, especially elimination games. What they seem to lack is showing up for Games 1 and 2 of a series.

What we really need is an Assistant Coach who can focus 100% on the PP and fix it. We don't need to be 25% on it, we just need to be decent enough to score once in a while, and definitely score on 5 on 3's!

 

[chosen]

The coach is important but he is not everything. Unless you are upgrading from say Torts to Bowman, going from a slightly below average coach(Torts) to an average coach is not going to make a huge difference.

Look at the Caps, they got a new coach in Oates, he has done a great job, yet the team is still not showing up for big games (same as last year's playoffs). The Rangers actually do show up to big games, especially elimination games. What they seem to lack is showing up for Games 1 and 2 of a series.

What we really need is an Assistant Coach who can focus 100% on the PP and fix it. We don't need to be 25% on it, we just need to be decent enough to score once in a while, and definitely score on 5 on 3's!

Fans always think they have the solution to the problems and that the coach doesn't know these solutions. It's pretty funny when you sit back and think about it.

 

[Evgeny Oliker]

...

Fans always think they have the solution to the problems and that the coach doesn't know these solutions. It's pretty funny when you sit back and think about it.

I agree with that.

The coach can teach all the X and O's for the PP...however the players also have to execute. You also need enough talent to score on the PP. We dont exactly have a Letang or Karlsson to bring the puck up...Del Zotto is the best we got and he is just ok on the PP. We also dont have Crosby and Malkin lining up for one-timers. We have Nash, who has been inconsistent in these playoffs. So maybe the coaching staff can do a bit more...but its clearly not all their fault.

 

[Glen Sathers Cigar]

Just one question: The Leafs forecheck is what led to them giving the Bruins fits and them almost taking the series. Why aren't we forechecking the way they were?

Too often I see two guys waiting at the blue line, then one behind them near the redline and the D on our blue line. What the hell is this? Give the Bruins a free breakout every single time and they're going to make us pay. They're very good in transition, even better when they break out uncontested, at full speed with all of our guys flat footed. I have no idea why this is the system we are running. Especially after our effective forecheck in games 6 and 7 against Washington, basically winning us that series. If we don't forecheck well in those games, we lose. So instead of keeping up with that forecheck, we decide to run some trap garbage which isn't working. Hopefully this changes in game 3. I'm not too happy that we are in a 0-2 hole AGAIN. Game 3 is the biggest game of the year and everyone needs to play accordingly.

 

[SnowblindNYR]

You've got some nerve posting that after our goalie single-handedly gets us into the second round of the playoffs. I'll say that this wasn't his best effort, but did you see how our F'ING DEFENSE played yesterday? GIRARDI? He was half-asleep for the entire game. That Marchand goal? All on Girardi. That is NOT how you play defense.

Hank maybe let in one soft goal...

Yep, the guy has some nerve questioning the poor performance of our best player. He should never be questioned and should be worshipped till the end of time because he had 2 great games.

 

[TheTakedown]

Torts had some good things to say



I suppose he figures the D won't be awful two games in a row, and we were getting chances. If we can put the positives together at the same time, we're good.

like I said, last game was an anomaly... Between Rask playing much better than usual, Hank worse than usual, and Girardi/MDZ fudging up so many times that we could not recover...

Besides, can you expect "rookies" to continue to play 'stellar' hockey? They're rookies. They will make mistakes at some point

 

[Evgeny Oliker]

...

Just one question: The Leafs forecheck is what led to them giving the Bruins fits and them almost taking the series. Why aren't we forechecking the way they were?

Too often I see two guys waiting at the blue line, then one behind them near the redline and the D on our blue line. What the hell is this? Give the Bruins a free breakout every single time and they're going to make us pay. They're very good in transition, even better when they break out uncontested, at full speed with all of our guys flat footed. I have no idea why this is the system we are running. Especially after our effective forecheck in games 6 and 7 against Washington, basically winning us that series. If we don't forecheck well in those games, we lose. So instead of keeping up with that forecheck, we decide to run some trap garbage which isn't working. Hopefully this changes in game 3. I'm not too happy that we are in a 0-2 hole AGAIN. Game 3 is the biggest game of the year and everyone needs to play accordingly.

Totally agree. I have no idea why, with Boston playing 3 ROOKIE DMEN, we are not forechecking a lot harder! It makes no sense at all. I'm not sure if its Torts or the players...but to me we seemed to forecheck a lot better and more often against Washington. If we werent afraid to forecheck them with all their weapons, I dont get what the issue is against Boston.

 

[Glen Sathers Cigar]

Yep, the guy has some nerve questioning the poor performance of our best player. He should never be questioned and should be worshipped till the end of time because he had 2 great games.

Yeah, we are all aware that Lundqvist is the only reason the Rangers ever make it anywhere, that doesn't absolve him of criticism. The fact of the matter is that this team is constructed from the net out. Without Lundqvist playing his A game, the Rangers usually won't win, the same way that if any other teams' best player has an off game, they are at a disadvantage. It's only more noticeable with us because our best player is our goalie.

We all know Lundqvist is an amazing and consistent goalie. You'd be silly to think anything else. However the constant defending of him when he has an off night (he's the only reason we're here, give him a break) stuff is a bit misguided. Were the goals his fault? No. Did he play his best? Hell no.

The bottom line with this team is that the ONLY way they are successful is when Hank is on his A game. Not average, not good. The way the system runs, it is only successful when Henrik is lights out. Timely goal scoring and grinding are way more effective when your goalie is giving up 2 or less every night. Is it a lot of pressure? Hell yes. Does that absolve Henrik of not playing his best. NO!

I'm tired of the excuses. I'm tired of every postseason, going over the excuses about why we failed and how it wasn't Hank's fault. I want him to go J.S Giguere and CARRY this team to a Stanley cup final. Don't take no for an answer. I don't care about the breakdowns and defensive mistakes. You're Henrik Lundqvist, the best goalie in the world. No matter how good the chance, how bad the defense is. Stop everything. Don't get down after a blown coverage leads to a goal or a weak goal is scored on you. Carry this team in spite of any bad defense, poor offensive efforts and coaching errors.


FOR THE RECORD, for those of you who may misinterpret this post. Henrik Lundqvist is the Rangers. I don't blame him for anything. However, he hasn't played as well as he needs to be so far this series (I don't care if he wasn't bad for an average goalie or how anyone else justifies it, for us to win he NEEDS to be Henrik Godqvist). Maybe it's the fact that I am a goalie and know what it's like and stuff, idk. If I had a bad game, I knew it. Even goals scored off the worst defensive mistakes and giveaways I always put the onus on myself and how I could've made the save. Every team I was on from youth then juniors and eventually college, would never be successful if I didn't perform. I, like Hank, more often than not seemed to find myself on teams that were more lunchpail grind it out types than high end talent and finesse (especially in college, only my freshman year did we have a go to skill forward line, all 3 years after that it was grind grind jam jam). Without great goaltending, even in spite of bad defense, we would've never won. So I knew every game I'd need to play my best for us to have a chance. Sorry for talking about myself wow

Bottom line, I don't blame him and obviously know he's the only reason we're here, he's the only reason we'd be anywhere. He's our best player, that's how it should be. I'm just saying he NEEDS to be in God-mode for the Rangers to win. For better or worse, that's how the team is built. Simple as that. No excuses.

 

[LORDE]

Says who?

The PP worked just fine for Washington, they lost.

Boston won a Stanley Cup w.o a PP, you think they are upset about that?

The downfall of this team, this far, has been stupidity more than anything else.

Worked just fine against wash?! Plz

The PP has been an abomination for years now (including pre-torts).

I do love the arguement that Bos won a Stanley Cup w out one tho. Ahh the truly pathetic cry of the exception that proves the rule. Prob is... Bos was the exception... Why do we want to be the exception too... Just a few years later.

Agree that stupidity has been their downfall... And it hasn't been any more painfully obvious than on the PP.

 

[ThisYearsModel]

You've got some nerve posting that after our goalie single-handedly gets us into the second round of the playoffs. I'll say that this wasn't his best effort, but did you see how our F'ING DEFENSE played yesterday? GIRARDI? He was half-asleep for the entire game. That Marchand goal? All on Girardi. That is NOT how you play defense.

Hank maybe let in one soft goal...

Stars who get the big bucks are PAID to come through. The first 2 games of this series have been sub-par for Henrik, and he is developing a habit of throwing his teammates under the bus. Not a positive development.

 

[JohnC]

Worked just fine against wash?! Plz

The PP has been an abomination for years now (including pre-torts).

I do love the arguement that Bos won a Stanley Cup w out one tho. Ahh the truly pathetic cry of the exception that proves the rule. Prob is... Bos was the exception... Why do we want to be the exception too... Just a few years later.

Agree that stupidity has been their downfall... And it hasn't been any more painfully obvious than on the PP.

The PP worked just fine for Washington, they lost.

The PP worked just fine for Washington

just fine for Washington

for Washington

for

Me thinks you read it wrong

 

[Kershaw]

Yeah, we are all aware that Lundqvist is the only reason the Rangers ever make it anywhere, that doesn't absolve him of criticism. The fact of the matter is that this team is constructed from the net out. Without Lundqvist playing his A game, the Rangers usually won't win, the same way that if any other teams' best player has an off game, they are at a disadvantage. It's only more noticeable with us because our best player is our goalie.

We all know Lundqvist is an amazing and consistent goalie. You'd be silly to think anything else. However the constant defending of him when he has an off night (he's the only reason we're here, give him a break) stuff is a bit misguided. Were the goals his fault? No. Did he play his best? Hell no.

The bottom line with this team is that the ONLY way they are successful is when Hank is on his A game. Not average, not good. The way the system runs, it is only successful when Henrik is lights out. Timely goal scoring and grinding are way more effective when your goalie is giving up 2 or less every night. Is it a lot of pressure? Hell yes. Does that absolve Henrik of not playing his best. NO!

I'm tired of the excuses. I'm tired of every postseason, going over the excuses about why we failed and how it wasn't Hank's fault. I want him to go J.S Giguere and CARRY this team to a Stanley cup final. Don't take no for an answer. I don't care about the breakdowns and defensive mistakes. You're Henrik Lundqvist, the best goalie in the world. No matter how good the chance, how bad the defense is. Stop everything. Don't get down after a blown coverage leads to a goal or a weak goal is scored on you. Carry this team in spite of any bad defense, poor offensive efforts and coaching errors.


FOR THE RECORD, for those of you who may misinterpret this post. Henrik Lundqvist is the Rangers. I don't blame him for anything. However, he hasn't played as well as he needs to be so far this series (I don't care if he wasn't bad for an average goalie or how anyone else justifies it, for us to win he NEEDS to be Henrik Godqvist). Maybe it's the fact that I am a goalie and know what it's like and stuff, idk. If I had a bad game, I knew it. Even goals scored off the worst defensive mistakes and giveaways I always put the onus on myself and how I could've made the save. Every team I was on from youth then juniors and eventually college, would never be successful if I didn't perform. I, like Hank, more often than not seemed to find myself on teams that were more lunchpail grind it out types than high end talent and finesse (especially in college, only my freshman year did we have a go to skill forward line, all 3 years after that it was grind grind jam jam). Without great goaltending, even in spite of bad defense, we would've never won. So I knew every game I'd need to play my best for us to have a chance. Sorry for talking about myself wow

Bottom line, I don't blame him and obviously know he's the only reason we're here, he's the only reason we'd be anywhere. He's our best player, that's how it should be. I'm just saying he NEEDS to be in God-mode for the Rangers to win. For better or worse, that's how the team is built. Simple as that. No excuses.

So you're asking a goaltender to put on one of the best, if not the best goaltending clinics of all time? JS Giguere's run was an anomaly and really few goalies in history of NHL can put inferior teams like that on their backs. Goalie is a position which relies heavily on the team in front and the Rangers run a system where they constantly get hemmed in their own end. Lundqvist has been the team's best player in all games except for game 2 and the masses are large against him. Even Tim Thomas in his Conn Smythe year played like a sieve against the Lightning, but his offense was their to help bail him out. The Rangers aren't built to do that, so his mistakes get magnified.