Post-Game Talk: Snow

[Boris Zubov]

I think that's more about coaching the system and the players, than actual physical attributes. I've said this before, but Mikko Rantanen is not exactly a rocket on skates. Yet he's pretty damn good in that system. We are not physically too slow, we just play too slow. Way too many times we have forwards caught standing, our PP is too static etc.

Rantanen is a very strong skater...I'm not sure who started that myth, but he's not slow at all.

Regarding your next point, we are physically slow & we play slow...it's a dreadful combination. We are guilty of not moving our feet way too often, but we are a very weak skating team in general. Our above average speed guys are Kreider, Gaultier, Chytil, Miller...that's the list. Panarin & Zib are good skaters, but not very fast. Fox is great on his edges, but his speed is below average.

I don't think there's much of a debate to be honest. I've said this ad naseum since he was hired, but Gallants ideal gameplan would be to have this team forecheck relentlessly like his first year in Vegas. That was a very good skating team with a giant chip on their shoulders. This team is the antithesis of that & cannot execute that style. This is a bunch of country club brats who are entitled & complacent from their trip to the semifinals.

Does that excuse Gallant's handling of the lines & his choice to scratch Kravtsov? Not remotely. However there isn't a coach out there who can fix this broken roster construction. Would Trotz make them more accountable? Probably. Would it be sustainable? I'm skeptical.

 

[McRanger92]

Igor is 100% mocking Georgiev’s spastic celebration from earlier in the season here:

There’s definitely some Rangers looking in Georgiev’s direction going to the pile. And Panarin gave him a stare down too. Good to see the Rangers showing some fire. Now time to get revenge on New Jersey

 

[EdJovanovski]

Igor is 100% mocking Georgiev’s spastic celebration from earlier in the season here:

 

[duhmetreE]

You're delusional if you think this roster can play an up-tempo style like the Avs play. Their entire attack is predicated on their team speed. Even their bottom of the roster guys like Compher, Myers & O'Connor have good wheels. We have 3 forwards that can get through the neutral zone and back the defense off...Gaultier, Zib & Panarin. And Panarin literally stops dead in his tracks as soon as he's inside the blue line.

On defense, Fox can do it but he plays at a snails pace, which works for him because he thinks the game faster than most. However it allows the other team time to set up & defend, which is problematic at times.

I think we'd be pleasantly surprised to see how much quicker this team can play if we were on the same page and had strong puck movement.

It's not about break away speed but all 5 players moving as one; where it becomes harder to defend and anticipate. We're the exact opposite. We have one guy moving and others just watching. Get a dog collar and zap people when they are flat footed

 

[Boris Zubov]

There’s definitely some Rangers looking in Georgiev’s direction going to the pile. And Panarin gave him a stare down too. Good to see the Rangers showing some fire. Now time to get revenge on New Jersey

Looks like one of our players waves bye-bye at Georgi. Hard to tell who it was.

I think we'd be pleasantly surprised to see how much quicker this team can play if we were on the same page and had strong puck movement.

Sure, but nobody is going to mistake us for the Avs...ever.

 

[IronBloodedLion]

We don’t get to see these teams in the Western Conference too much, but holy hell are Cale Makar and Mark Stone whiney. It’s a shame too, because I love the way they both play, but it’s really pathetic.

It’s also pretty clear that Georgiev was a bad teammate. I know he wanted to start, and I don’t blame him for wanting out, but there has to be a level of professionalism. Not only did the honor is request, they sent him to the defending Cup champions. It’s not like they sent him to some awful teams Also if the rumors are the the guys intervened physically on his behalf against Tony DeAngelo. Just totally ungrateful and I’m glad he’s gone.

 

[CLW]

I'm kinda torn being an Avs and a Rangers fan and seeing this growing "rivalry" lol.

2 points was needed and taken. But Gallant needs to get Kravtsov in for Vesey or Blais. And move Goodrow down to the 4th line. And not just because of @EdJovanovski 's mental health.

Consistency is just a huge issue. Outside of Fox, who in this team actually brings in a consistent effort?


The sad part is, I think we have the palyers to actually play a style resembling Colorado. Nobody in this league has a D-corps like Colorado, but ours isn't bad from a puck moving perspective. We have plenty of good wingers. We should be able to do it.

Just find a coach who will get it together.

We have good wingers, good D and speed at C yet we play like this...

As been well demonstrated by the early struggles is that if Igor/goaltending is average this team goes nowhere because some important fundamentals in the approach are lacking.

 

[duhmetreE]

Sure, but nobody is going to mistake us for the Avs...ever.

We don't have to be the Avs. Avs have some generational talent that sets them apart.

Florida didn't have insane individual speed but they played an up tempo attack as 5 system. Carolina too.

The team/players have no purpose on the ice so they occasionally just float about wherever the wind takes them. That's the biggest issue plaguing the team IMO. Happens on defense too. Far too often they are flat footed and puck watching.... why? because they have no 'purpose/job' ingrained into them. No system/tactics/X's and O's to follow... It's a very loose 'just get the puck deep, forecheck and own the boards system'

It's starting to make sense now too.. If our gameplan is to 'own the boards', guess which part of the ice will be vacated?

 

[Boris Zubov]

We don't have to be the Avs. Avs have some generational talent that sets them apart.

Florida didn't have insane individual speed but they played an up tempo attack as 5 system. Carolina too.

The team/players have no purpose on the ice so they occasionally just float about wherever the wind takes them. That's the biggest issue plaguing the team IMO. Happens on defense too. Far too often they are flat footed and puck watching.... why? because they have no 'purpose/job' ingrained into them. No system/tactics/X's and O's to follow... It's a very loose 'just get the puck deep, forecheck and own the boards system'

It's starting to make sense now too.. If our gameplan is to 'own the boards', guess which part of the ice will be vacated?

Not disagreeing, there's something off with our system that our own players constantly running into one another or clueless of where they should be when attacking. I've been really obvious the past few games... the lineup changes have really highlighted the chaos.

We both posted about that last night in the 3rd period when Goodrow was in on the rush & it broke down like a bad schoolyard roller hockey sequence.

 

[80shockeywasbuns]

As been well demonstrated by the early struggles is that if Igor/goaltending is average this team goes nowhere because some important fundamentals in the approach are lacking.

It’s textbook Gallant hockey. There’s no system

 

[Fitzy]

Blais has been awful.

It's funny NYR went into the season with Blais, Carpenter, Hunt, and Reaves competing for the 4th line positions, now only one of them is left and he's been the worst part of line 4.

It's why I always get a little annoyed when people say things like 'the 4th line doesn't matter that much'. They do. Moore-Boyle-Dorsett was a big part of getting us to the finals. Dressing guys like McKegg and Carpenter is for rebuilding teams, not competitors.

Vesey-Brod-Gauthier needs to be the fourth line for now. Blais can take some games off and hopefully catch his breath.

 

[CLW]

Rantanen is a very strong skater...I'm not sure who started that myth, but he's not slow at all.

Regarding your next point, we are physically slow & we play slow...it's a dreadful combination. We are guilty of not moving our feet way too often, but we are a very weak skating team in general. Our above average speed guys are Kreider, Gaultier, Chytil, Miller...that's the list. Panarin & Zib are good skaters, but not very fast. Fox is great on his edges, but his speed is below average.

I don't think there's much of a debate to be honest. I've said this ad naseum since he was hired, but Gallants ideal gameplan would be to have this team forecheck relentlessly like his first year in Vegas. That was a very good skating team with a giant chip on their shoulders. This team is the antithesis of that & cannot execute that style. This is a bunch of country club brats who are entitled & complacent from their trip to the semifinals.

Does that excuse Gallant's handling of the lines & his choice to scratch Kravtsov? Not remotely. However there isn't a coach out there who can fix this broken roster construction. Would Trotz make them more accountable? Probably. Would it be sustainable? I'm skeptical.

Rantanen's skating has improved leap and bounds the over last season or two (just as Kakko's is improving). They have the same skating coach in the off season (a 5 foot nothing figure skater lady). Rantanen's skating used to be a bit painful to watch, now it's getting towards being a strength of his.

If our forwards aren't the zippiest skaters it's extra important to have a smooth transition D to F and for the forwards have that vital extra step or two and receive the puck with speed under their skates. Other teams can do it, I doubt it's impossible for our group.

Tbh I don't think GG cares much about systems. He is even quite upfront about this. He wants his players to compete hard, that's what he's looking for. His Vegas team was tailor made for him. This Ranger team has an extra gear or two that he can't get out.

 

[Kodiak]

The puzzling thing is that at the start of the season their passing and overall synergy was excellent. Where the hell did that team go?

This team looked great at the start of the year and they were winning. Then they still looked pretty good but started losing. Then they started looking bad and were still losing. Now they’re still looking bad but are starting to win, mostly by relying on Shesterkin to keep them in the game until they can get a timely goal. It was the formula last year, but it will only go so far. They need to try to find that team from the start of the season.

 

[UnSandvich]

If y'all want some delicious salt, go read the last 4 or 5 pages of the Avs board game thread.

 

[TheDirtyH]

Igor is 100% mocking Georgiev’s spastic celebration from earlier in the season here:

I think it's Lafreniere waving bye bye to the Avs lmao

 

[hackeyman]

Makar is kind of a clown. Used to kind of like the kid, now he can go fk himself

Pukey punk ! .....and those comments after he took a shot at Shesty a good 2 seconds after the game was over. Trouba needs to nail this guy next time.

 

[80shockeywasbuns]

Not disagreeing, there's something off with our system that our own players constantly running into one another or clueless of where they should be when attacking. I've been really obvious the past few games... the lineup changes have really highlighted the chaos.

We both posted about that last night in the 3rd period when Goodrow was in on the rush & it broke down like a bad schoolyard roller hockey sequence.

Scoring chances 9 to 1 against the Panarin-Goodrow line last night. With Goodrow on the ice against Devon Toews shot attempts were 0-11 and chances 0-7 LOL. Is that what people think is a good game for a top 6 line? Just because he chipped a puck out and picked up an assist doesn’t make up for Igor completely bailing that line out against a lineup full of minor league players.

 

[hackeyman]

Have to give it to Mika. He’s been edgier while playing with the kids.

Maybe because Trouba told him to wake the f*** up.

 

[Cmox]

Igor is 100% mocking Georgiev’s spastic celebration from earlier in the season here:

Is that Laff giving the salute to Geo?

 

[DialUp]

Vesey-Brod-Gauthier needs to be the fourth line for now. Blais can take some games off and hopefully catch his breath.

Goodrow should be on the 4th line.

 

[duhmetreE]

Maybe because Trouba told him to wake the f*** up.

Or his maternal instinct kicked in with the abundance of soy induced estrogen

 

[duhmetreE]

Laffy Zibs Kakko

This is the best Zibs has looked and he’s engaged. Same can be said for the kids.

Panarin Chytil Kravtsov

We can take the lumps on defense if this line produces. But with Panarin back in selke form, they should be alright.

Kreider Trocheck Goodrow

A meat and potatoes line that can match up if needed. Play simple Gallant hockey to a T. Be the example, as the 4th line has been doing

Blais/Vesey Brodz Gauthier

They’ve been strong. If Vesey sits, Brodz can pick up his PK duties. I’ve been saying it forever, Brodz needs to be on the team. His energy and speed is much needed

 

[80shockeywasbuns]

Laffy Zibs Kakko

This is the best Zibs has looked and he’s engaged. Same can be said for the kids.

Panarin Chytil Kravtsov

We can take the lumps on defense if this line produces. But with Panarin back in selke form, they should be alright.

Kreider Trocheck Goodrow

A meat and potatoes line that can match up if needed.

Blais/Vesey Brodz Gauthier

They’ve been strong. If Vesey sits, Brodz can pick up his PK duties. I’ve been saying it forever, Brodz needs to be on the team. His energy and speed is much needed

I don’t understand how Gauthier never gets a look in a top 9 RW spot. Every time the guy is on the ice something is happening and he was the only guy we had that could match the Avs speed. Has 4 even strength goals this year and he gets less TOI than the ice scrapers. Meanwhile Goodrow can go out there and just fling the puck wherever for 15 minutes and it’s all good

 

[duhmetreE]

I don’t understand how Gauthier never gets a look in a top 9 RW spot. Every time the guy is on the ice something is happening and he was the only guy we had that could match the Avs speed. Has 4 even strength goals this year and he gets less TOI than the ice scrapers. Meanwhile Goodrow can go out there and just fling the puck wherever for 15 minutes and it’s all good

"Coaches Decision"

 

[Fitzy]

Goodrow should be on the 4th line.

After the deadline I think he will be