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Post-Game Talk: Rangers vs. Lightning, Game 4

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NCRanger said:
Rangers were terrible.

Also got absolutely jobbed. Interference is apparently no longer against the rules.
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Joke's on us...Refs won't call it & we refuse use the same tactics as Tampa. Those assholes know how to skirt the rules in every possible way to two tainted covid cups, we just won't follow their playbook, so here we are.
 
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That went poorly. It's not over yet, but they're going to need to dig deep. No Strome, no Chytil is tough. Even if Strome can go he's going to be not 100%. They're going to need to win this on guts.

Not that it was all on him, but Igor had a stinker tonight. He didn't look comfortable to me all night, from that first goal on. He just looked like he wasn't sharp, he wasn't tracking the puck well, he wasn't smothering like he usually is, he was giving up bad rebounds. That third goal is a perfect example, he gives up the uncharacteristic rebound and then instead of pushing over, he turns and reaches. That's not Igor locked in. Igor when he's on is feeling that puck leak and he's already pushing over on it. He definitely wasn't at his best.

And Kucherov seems to. be fooling Igor with his shots, same way he did with Hank in 2015. His release is so deceptive and he never shoots it the same way. He cranks one then feathers the next, then slap passes the next and then another feathered shot. He beat Igor last game on the PP goal and on the breakaway goal by feathering the shot, almost intentionally fanning on the puck each time and it's fooling Igor, you see with his reactions after the goals - that's a goalie who knows he just gave up a fanned shot, throws off you timing.
 
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Some hard decisions for GG.

Not here to bag on Igor, but he scares the crap out of me right now going side to side on anything behind the net. Feel like he gets caught off balance on some of those plays and over plays it.

Let’s hope the injuries aren’t too bad.
 
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Disappointingly dull game. We were the 2nd best team for a lot of it and Tampa really made us pay. The lack of jump was concerning. It really does look like a lot of the guys have a hit a wall, will be interesting to see if MSG can give them some life.
Hopefully Chytil is nothing serious.

Tactically the Bolts are well in front, especially at home; and GG's deployment of the 4th line has me confused, especially how much he was using them early on.

Liked KAM, Mika, Motte and the kids. Trouba, Fox and Lindgren were mostly OK.

Kreider had one of those games where you forget he's playing. Panarin has to do a lot more (yes I know he scored), and has to not cough up the puck so much.

It's probably line blender time, and one of the kids or Motte should be on line 1 instead of Vatrano.

Still 2-2, still plenty of hockey. the response should be interesting
 
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If Strome, Chytil, and even Goodrow are out for Game 5 you know what our lineup might look like:

Kreider-Zibanejad-Vatrano

Panarin-Copp-Hunt

Lafreniere-Motte-Kakko

McKegg-Rooney-Reaves

That is literally a preseason NHL lineup.
 
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Kaapo, you’re on a two on one and the puck carrier gets the puck across to you at the bottom of the circle, goalie down and out… what’s your move?

Stickhandle.

Okay, you’ve just done some stickhandling to slip a defender in the corner and you’re walking out into the slot with the puck, what are you doing?

Stickhandling.

Hmm… there’s literally 1 second left on the clock and a rebound bounces loose, right on your tape. What do you do?

Stickhandle. Definitely.
 
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Amazing how this series turned on the f***ing drop of a hat. Up 2-0 half way through game 3 and up 2-0 in the series to being tied 2-2 and losing all momentum. f***ing hell man.
 
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I'm going to try and be as rational as possible.

This one didn't hurt nearly as much as Game 3, but I wasn't too worried after that game. I thought that the Rangers couldn't be worse 5 v 5. Boy was I wrong. Two and 1/3 games without an even strength goal. If that doesn't change Thursday, this series sure will be over in 6.

Every series has had that "come to Jesus" moment for this team. Game 4 against the Pens. Game 5 against Carolina. Tonight should be that moment for this team in this series. That time where the team just hits rock bottom and bounce back.

Hopefully the young core learns that you can't have those games and have every series go seven. The signs are there that this team is running out of gas. Two of your middle six centers out now, and I don't like how this is shaping up. Center depth is important. If your game breaking wingers aren't going to get it done, you need to be able to count on those tried and true, steady two way centers.

There's Strome and Copp to decide on this summer. Let me present another option. I really, really wonder if Drury considers calling up Patrice Bergeron and talking him into a two year deal for two more shots at a ring. That's how long I see this core's window open. Two more years before the cap really f***s us and tough decisions need to be made. Bergeron is pretty much exactly what this team needs. Boston is in shambles right now. Does he really want to be a part of that?

Either way, I'm still proud that this team is in a situation that this is still a series against the two time defending champions.

Best of three, with two of those potential games at home. 2015 didn't go this team's way. Change the ending.
 
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A plate of humble pie for the folks calling the series over after 2. Rangers are learning the hard way about that secret extra gear you need to win in the playoffs.

Personally think the Rangers are in genuine trouble, but they have proved me wrong before. Still got a ton of playoff education, so that's something to be glad about.
 
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Also I'm really looking forward to all those posts again arguing about how Tampa cant handle the rangers speed or skate with them. Those were funny this afternoon and are golden tonight.
 
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Strome was a big loss, as expected. Team hasn't looked the same since he's been out of the lineup.
 
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Glen Sathers Cigar said:
That went poorly. It's not over yet, but they're going to need to dig deep. No Strome, no Chytil is tough. Even if Strome can go he's going to be not 100%. They're going to need to win this on guts.

Not that it was all on him, but Igor had a stinker tonight. He didn't look comfortable to me all night, from that first goal on. He just looked like he wasn't sharp, he wasn't tracking the puck well, he wasn't smothering like he usually is, he was giving up bad rebounds. That third goal is a perfect example, he gives up the uncharacteristic rebound and then instead of pushing over, he turns and reaches. That's not Igor locked in. Igor when he's on is feeling that puck leak and he's already pushing over on it. He definitely wasn't at his best.

And Kucherov seems to. be fooling Igor with his shots, same way he did with Hank in 2015. His release is so deceptive and he never shoots it the same way. He cranks one then feathers the next, then slap passes the next and then another feathered shot. He beat Igor last game on the PP goal and on the breakaway goal by feathering the shot, almost intentionally fanning on the puck each time and it's fooling Igor, you see with his reactions after the goals - that's a goalie who knows he just gave up a fanned shot, throws off you timing.
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It was the lighting in the arena :sarcasm:
 
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Did ESPN make excuses as to why the Rangers lost? We're tired? Missing Strome and losing Chytil during the game? Hmmm......
 
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