Post-Game Talk: The D

[Gordon Bombay]

I’m not reading through this thread tonight, but here are my thoughts.

1. I love Fox’s decision to shoot the puck on Trocheck’s goal. Everyone on the PK thought Fox and Zibanejad were going to switch and set up, but Fox shot the puck instead. That’s the kind of unpredictability that can open up other options for the PP.

2. I’m not seeing enough made of Chytil’s pass on Kakko’s goal. It was barely mentioned in the TV broadcasts. That behind the back backhand pass made the tying goal possible.

3. That was an absolute snipe in the GWG by Chytil. One of the biggest reasons I am not enamored with Gallant now is the lack of trust in the young players. After the kids tied the game, it seemed like they were used as the fourth line. We should not be burying our best 5v5 players in favor of playing “safe” hockey. We need to ride the kids when we can.

That 4th line seemed like it was out there every other shift in the 3rd. I get wanting to be a little more defense minded in a tough game where you need a point, but it's not like Blais/Brod/Gaut are the next comings of Guy Lafluer. They're just as bad as the kids defensively.

Edit-Yes, I'm aware the kids played more than the 4th line in the 3rd.

 

[chosen]

Lose in 1st round.

Okay.

If they aren't hit hard by injuries, I like their chances of winning a round.

 

[tlk]

Okay.

If they aren't hit hard by injuries, I like their chances of winning a round.

Judging by their board, injuries messed with their 4th and also Palat is out - and they are already conserned.
So depth is likely an issue.
GK'ing as well, I guess few would argue it's not.
Playing that incredibly super-charged pace might be one too.
No playoff experience (?).
Lindy Ruff )))

 

[chosen]

Judging by their board, injuries messed with their 4th and also Palat is out - and they are already conserned.
So depth is likely an issue.
GK'ing as well, I guess few would argue it's not.
Playing that incredibly super-charged pace might be one too.
No playoff experience (?).
Lindy Ruff )))

Judging by their board is no more useful than judging by our board.

Depth is an issue on every NHL team.

 

[will1066]

WOOO

(Edit: Means four wins in a row.)

 

[Synergy27]

Judging by their board, injuries messed with their 4th and also Palat is out - and they are already conserned.
So depth is likely an issue.
GK'ing as well, I guess few would argue it's not.
Playing that incredibly super-charged pace might be one too.
No playoff experience (?).
Lindy Ruff )))

I keep forgetting that they are doing all of this with Palat out. We know what that guy does in the playoffs, particularly to us. Scary thought.

 

[LaffyTaffy13]

Few observations
- we’ve got points in 6 of the last 7
- kreider is quitely on pace for like 40 goals
- chytil is a legitimate 2C and were gonna have to move some guys this summer to afford him
- Schneider is really coming into his own and played tremendous last night

 

[Shesterkybomb]

Told ya'll Schneider was a stud, getting better by the game. I'm not sure when but at some point we're gonna need to make some cap space for Miller and him, Fox Miller, Schneider and Robertson are gonna be a hard 4 some to play against for years to come.

 

[gravey9]

A few positives:

Panarin has been playing much better. Cleaned up his sloppy play. And has shown considerable grit in battles these last few games. It makes a big diff.

Schneider stepped up big time. Wasn’t perfect but was very good for long stretches. Miller had a similar imperfect game but ultimately was strong.

Chytil, great.

Gauthier looked better. Brodzinski was decent. Kakko was pretty good.

That Kakko goal could be a legit turning point for the team. The speed and decisiveness of that goal was in stark contrast to the rest of the season. Chances are it won’t be. But that’s the kind of confidence booster the team has needed for a while.

The mediocre/bad.

Trouba is fighting it with his injury and against better opponents it’s hard to watch.
Laffy had a rough night. He needs to play even more aggressive. Kid line likely gets more if Laffy was better at the little things in this game. He ruins possession too often because he’s not forceful enough in traffic and then when he does have the puck in space he’s lacking confidence. Gonna have to give him more ice to work through it
Zibby is really fighting it right now. Just kinda lost a bit. He’ll find his way but he’s out of sync, with himself.

Gotta bring back Jones at some point, no? Maybe can’t afford to bring him up re cap but he is much stronger as a player than Libor is. Libor looked over matched by the speed of the Devils.

 

[gravey9]

Hajek should never play another game in the nhl …

Who watches the pack - what’s the story with Matt Robertson?

Robertson sadly isn’t ready. Jones is ahead by a considerable amount. If Robertson just focused on playing a simple shut down game he’d likely take off or at least look better. But he’s really focused on a two way game and it’s just too loose and not sharp or quick enough right now.

 

[HockeyBasedNYC]

I keep forgetting that they are doing all of this with Palat out. We know what that guy does in the playoffs, particularly to us. Scary thought.

Whats scary is they will be adding L Hughes and Nemec to this core in the coming years.

Choosing #2, 4, 7, 1, 1 five out of the last six drafts kinda helps

 

[FireGerardGallant]

Really liking the fourth line, pretty fast and in the face of the opponent. Watching Gauthier and Brodzinski buzz out there is a million times better then Reaves and Carpenter slogging out there doing absolutely nothing. Only obvious weak point is blais. I dont want to beat a dead horse but Motte would have really excelled on a line like this. However I do think Vesey will be a good fit with them afrer we make an addition or two at the deadline

 

[HockeyBasedNYC]

Laffy had a rough night. He needs to play even more aggressive. Kid line likely gets more if Laffy was better at the little things in this game. He ruins possession too often because he’s not forceful enough in traffic and then when he does have the puck in space he’s lacking confidence. Gonna have to give him more ice to work through it

He does. He just needs to build confidence and play with some swagger. He is getting better at moving through traffic on the walls, stealing some pucks and his checking game is great - but he is looking pass pass pass all of the time and its leading to giveaways becuase there is little threat of a shot or beating a guy one on one.

He really needs to work on his his straight line speed with the puck. And like you said when he finds himself with the puck in open space he hesitates. You see that between the legs move and goal against Detroit last year and you know he has it in there somewhere. He's fighting himself.

You'd like to think this is the ups and downs of developing in this league but as a #1OA, its disappointing. If he were drafted like 16th then no worries. Im not giving up on the kid, still very early. But his game clearly hasnt translated well to this level. Its been 165 games.

Gotta bring back Jones at some point, no? Maybe can’t afford to bring him up re cap but he is much stronger as a player than Libor is. Libor looked over matched by the speed of the Devils.

Hajek is just not an NHL player. It's obvious. His balance and decision making with the puck just isnt good enough.

I was willing to give him a shot this year because he paid his dues last season but you have to think that 80% of the leagues 6th defenseman could do a better job than him. He'll do his job for 2 shifts and then the next he's exposed, chasing, out of position or on his ass.

 

[Psycho for Perreault]

Is it too much to ask in OT for us to do what the Devils and Avs did to us? I know we won the games, but their strategy is SOOO much smarter than ours. When you gain possession, SLOW DOWN. Tire them out. Wait at least a minute. Then everything opens up. We win a faceoff and just make an immediate dumb pass and turn it over. They leave our top 3 on the ice for over a minute and have complete control.

 

[Machinehead]

Very fun fact: five Rangers first round picks were on the ice for the Kakko goal

 

[McRanger92]

Im happy the Devils are relevant again. The first good Rangers teams I watched (Jagr->Lundqvist era) always had battles with the New Jersey. Not all pleasant memories but its one of the best rivalries in hockey when both are good and it feels great beating them. I predict we will meet again in the spring.

other quick thoughts after sleeping on it:

Miller looks so much better away from Trouba. Moving well with the puck, playing good defense. Hes on the upswing. As is Schneider, who reminds me of a more mobile and offensive Girardi

Trouba is injured and making mental mistakes on top of that. Hes still working hard and a gamer but its not pretty right now. It's very hard to get by with him and Hajek together. I know the reports on Robertson have not been glowing but I wouldnt hate a call-up to see if he can sing or swim (especially if they really arent enamored with Jones)

Chytil is the next big contract we will need to worry about. The path of least resistance is the Goodrow buyout (cap credits in 23-24 & 24-25 before the dead money goes up a bit). Its a no brainer considering where the cap is going.

Chytil & Kakko are making the leap finally, but Laf is lagging behind. Terrible positioning on the Hughes goal. You need to know where 86 is at all times and you especially cant wave your stick at a puck when theres only 1 man back. He also cant complete a pass to safe his life so heres hoping he actually tries shooting. The other 2 showing us development is worth the wait so no panic obviously, but Laffy is behind them.

 

[Kocur26]

Robertson sadly isn’t ready. Jones is ahead by a considerable amount. If Robertson just focused on playing a simple shut down game he’d likely take off or at least look better. But he’s really focused on a two way game and it’s just too loose and not sharp or quick enough right now.

Well he’s 21 - 2nd rd pick.
It better happen soon before he’s being passed over by nexts years Jr grad class.

 

[HockeyBasedNYC]

Really liking the fourth line, pretty fast and in the face of the opponent. Watching Gauthier and Brodzinski buzz out there is a million times better then Reaves and Carpenter slogging out there doing absolutely nothing. Only obvious weak point is blais. I dont want to beat a dead horse but Motte would have really excelled on a line like this. However I do think Vesey will be a good fit with them afrer we make an addition or two at the deadline

Blais looked 1/16th faster so hoping he's getting some flexibility and strength back in that knee. But man, he still has a long way to go and there no guarantee he'll get back to where he was

 

[LieutenantLackluster]

I turned this off after 3-1 and I'm still not happy

 

[McRanger92]

Well he’s 21 - 2nd rd pick.
It better happen soon before he’s being passed over by nexts years Jr grad class.

Agreed, its very close to Robertson time. Schneider was called up in January after not setting the world on fire in HFD and he worked out fine. Sink or swim, because Hajek is sinking

 

[Deleted member 23124]

Agreed, its very close to Robertson time. Schneider was called up in January after not setting the world on fire in HFD and he worked out fine. Sink or swim, because Hajek is sinking

I think Robertson needs at least one more season in Hartford.

 

[McRanger92]

Blais looked 1/16th faster so hoping he's getting some flexibility and strength back in that knee. But man, he still has a long way to go and there no guarantee he'll get back to where he was

He looks like he's in pain skating at times, which sucks because Blais' skillset at full strength is very valuable.. But But Imagine that line with Motte on it? I think theres a chance that becomes a reality as we get closer to the trade deadline

 

[Crease]

Blais and Trouba need some time off. Perfect opportunity for the Rangers to give Kravtsov and Jones a pressure-free look.

 

[GENESISPuck94]

14 mins for Laf and Kakko. 0 PP1 minutes.

22 minutes for Hughes. 20 minutes for Bratt.

And we wonder why they're not where we want them to be.

 

[FireGerardGallant]

Blais looked 1/16th faster so hoping he's getting some flexibility and strength back in that knee. But man, he still has a long way to go and there no guarantee he'll get back to where he was

He had like 2 good hits last night which wasn’t a ton but was more then what hes been doing