What looked drastically different last night from Gallant's offensively stunted system?

[JMan74]

Several observations that could be very positive inidcators for future performance last night:

1. Laf had a strong game playing with Panarin
2. Trouba played outstanding with 8 blocks
3. 4th line was strong on backcheck with Goodrow and Bonino. Bonino really strong on face offs.
4. Miller was flying around last night and looked good on PP.
5. Really liked how Gustafson and Schneider played together
6. Really cut down on odd man rushes.
7. Panarin looked less ultra passive like he did in Gallant's system
8. East West game utilized much more effectively for scoring
9. We looked much harder to consistently defend as under Gallant's system
10. Neutral zone checking was excellent

Click to read more...

 

[haohmaru]

What looked different? There was a system.

 

[Guyute]

Major difference was actually having a structured system in the neutral zone as opposed to total free-for-all

 

[JMan74]

Offensively we may not have a top 5 guy in the entire NHL but we have arguably 3 guys in Zib, Panny and Kreids that all have top 12-20 talent if they are going well and numerous other high level players including perhaps the top goalie in the entire NHL.

Fox and Trouba are excellent defenseman and Miller is quickly becoming one as well.

Then if at least one of Kaako or Lafreniere FIANNLY become close to the players that their draft status suggest they should be....

 

[Levitate]

I think, with my inexpert knowledge, that Gallant relied too much on "natural chemistry" and letting players just freewheel until they figured something out that worked between them. When it clicked, it would click well and the offense did do well. But when other teams figured out what was working and stopped it, or the chemistry faltered, there wasn't any underlying structure to fall back on.
So I don't think I'd say that Gallant's system was offensively inept...he let the talented players be talented players but also let them kind of dictate how they would play, which didn't always work

 

[Priorae]

There wasn't a functional breakdown of assignments period to period, especially with defensive coverage blue line to blue line. I'm not an expert by any means, but that was my biggest takeaway. We had moments like that last year, but it was only a period at most.

Its what makes teams seem like they're "everywhere" or "faster". When Fox challenges the puck, Lindgren covers middle. When Miller presses on the forecheck, a wing / center covers back. This was really sloppy under Gallant, and last night it wasn't.

 

[duhmetreE]

Several observations that could be very positive inidcators for future performance last night:

1. Laf had a strong game playing with Panarin
2. Trouba played outstanding with 8 blocks
3. 4th line was strong on backcheck with Goodrow and Bonino. Bonino really strong on face offs.
4. Miller was flying around last night and looked good on PP.
5. Really liked how Gustafson and Schneider played together
6. Really cut down on odd man rushes.
7. Panarin looked less ultra passive like he did in Gallant's system
8. East West game utilized much more effectively for scoring
9. We looked much harder to consistently defend as under Gallant's system
10. Neutral zone checking was excellent

they were prepared, in shape and coached up

 

[Fitzy]

NYR were forcing turnovers in the neutral zone through a combination of the 1-3-1 and defensemen playing more aggressive and taking risks to step up.

Transition being one of this team's weaknesses, we are a lot better at finding the back of the net from a turnover in the neutral zone than from starting out behind our own net, which was 99% of all of our possessions in the second half of the Devils series.

The thing is, teams adapt and adjust. If Buffalo hadn't fallen behind so early, they could have started dumping the puck in more from the periphery of the neutral zone. Even if you only retrieve the puck 25% of the time, at least they're forcing the Rangers to go 200 feet. But by the time it was clear how we were playing (You could actually hear some clips last night of the players communicating with each other in the 1-3-1) Buff was playing from behind and had to keep taking risks.

 

[PuckLuck3043]

That was a very strong performance last night against a good offensive team on the road. I'm very optimistic about this team and coaching staff. Like I said during the preseason, this team easily makes the playoffs. The only concern I have is Quick(and injuries). I think we could have done better than him.

 

[Levitate]

NYR were forcing turnovers in the neutral zone through a combination of the 1-3-1 and defensemen playing more aggressive and taking risks to step up.

Transition being one of this team's weaknesses, we are a lot better at finding the back of the net from a turnover in the neutral zone than from starting out behind our own net, which was 99% of all of our possessions in the second half of the Devils series.

The thing is, teams adapt and adjust. If Buffalo hadn't fallen behind so early, they could have started dumping the puck in more from the periphery of the neutral zone. Even if you only retrieve the puck 25% of the time, at least they're forcing the Rangers to go 200 feet. But by the time it was clear how we were playing (You could actually hear some clips last night of the players communicating with each other in the 1-3-1) Buff was playing from behind and had to keep taking risks.

I'd have to rewatch and I don't have time for that but generally I think most teams use the 1-3-1 after gaining a lead but will play it less while the score is still close. I don't remember the Rangers relying on the 1-3-1 a lot early in the game, they generated turnovers through more aggressive puck pursuit and neutral zone play when Buffalo tried to break the puck out of their zone, they forechecked, etc

Basically I don't think the Rangers relied on trapping the neutral zone to get their lead, but once they were up comfortably they used it to help lock Buffalo down, which also means Buffalo would have had to adapt to a few different "phases" of the game

 

[I Eat Crow]

NYR were forcing turnovers in the neutral zone through a combination of the 1-3-1 and defensemen playing more aggressive and taking risks to step up.

Transition being one of this team's weaknesses, we are a lot better at finding the back of the net from a turnover in the neutral zone than from starting out behind our own net, which was 99% of all of our possessions in the second half of the Devils series.

The thing is, teams adapt and adjust. If Buffalo hadn't fallen behind so early, they could have started dumping the puck in more from the periphery of the neutral zone. Even if you only retrieve the puck 25% of the time, at least they're forcing the Rangers to go 200 feet. But by the time it was clear how we were playing (You could actually hear some clips last night of the players communicating with each other in the 1-3-1) Buff was playing from behind and had to keep taking risks.

This is the major thing that stuck out to me. There was a much more deliberate and urgent mindset on the transition. Puck support was also much better.

 

[cheech70]

Buffalo Sabres - New York Rangers - Oct 12, 2023 | NHL.com

NHL Gamecenter - Buffalo Sabres vs. New York Rangers, Oct 12, 2023 - summary, stats, boxscore, play by play, recap and more.

www.nhl.com

Time on ice was interesting..kids including Kam more minutes than stars..

 

[NickyFotiu]

Offensively we may not have a top 5 guy in the entire NHL but we have arguably 3 guys in Zib, Panny and Kreids that all have top 12-20 talent if they are going well and numerous other high level players including perhaps the top goalie in the entire NHL.

Fox and Trouba are excellent defenseman and Miller is quickly becoming one as well.

Then if at least one of Kaako or Lafreniere FIANNLY become close to the players that their draft status suggest they should be....

I do not think Zibs and CK are generally rated near the top 12-20 but I do like your glass half full view.

 

[Fitzy]

I'd have to rewatch and I don't have time for that but generally I think most teams use the 1-3-1 after gaining a lead but will play it less while the score is still close. I don't remember the Rangers relying on the 1-3-1 a lot early in the game, they generated turnovers through more aggressive puck pursuit and neutral zone play when Buffalo tried to break the puck out of their zone, they forechecked, etc

Basically I don't think the Rangers relied on trapping the neutral zone to get their lead, but once they were up comfortably they used it to help lock Buffalo down, which also means Buffalo would have had to adapt to a few different "phases" of the game

That's how I read it as well.

Plus even with a system, players have some autonomy to read plays on a case by case basis. Some situations a forecheck is going to be useless, if the defenseman has enough time and space to adjust. Other times, you might want to be more aggressive than normal if the blue liner has his back turned or if they're in the middle of a long change.

I don't expect NYR to look like Lavi's chess pieces. They'll still get some freedom to use judgement.

If this trend continues I think we will see a marketed increase in odd-man rushes both for and against in any given game.

 

[CLW]

This is the major thing that stuck out to me. There was a much more deliberate and urgent mindset on the transition. Puck support was also much better.

Yup. The way the players took control of the puck in the d-zone and went up the ice with deliberation and coordination was another major improvement that really stood out. One of many.

 

[IDvsEGO]

It’s almost like some of us said when lavi was hired.
Let’s see what this collection of talent looks like in a system.
One game is a terribly small sample size so let’s cool the jets a bit. We’re not gonna go 65% xgf all season
But we have talent at every layer of this system,
we don’t have the flaw toronto (and Tampa now has) with goaltending.
We don’t have edmontons lack of depth
We may not have the supreme top 3 talent at any position but goaltending, but in a defensive system like this, plus Igor’s puck handling? Adds an extra wrinkle.

Laf and Kakko both looked significantly faster.
Trouba looked healthy.

The team asked for structure and got it.

Oh and we’ve actually got talent in the system with Othmann and Perrault.

 

[Jaromir Jagr]

Buffalo Sabres - New York Rangers - Oct 12, 2023 | NHL.com

NHL Gamecenter - Buffalo Sabres vs. New York Rangers, Oct 12, 2023 - summary, stats, boxscore, play by play, recap and more.

www.nhl.com

Time on ice was interesting..kids including Kam more minutes than stars..

Overall looks pretty even which is as it should be in a blowout like last night. I'm curious to see how it will look like in tighter games.

Good signs though as I felt it was obvious Fox burnt out about three quarters of the way through last season and no need to load up minutes in day one.

 

[Ruggs225]

It’s almost like some of us said when lavi was hired.
Let’s see what this collection of talent looks like in a system.
One game is a terribly small sample size so let’s cool the jets a bit. We’re not gonna go 65% xgf all season
But we have talent at every layer of this system,
we don’t have the flaw toronto (and Tampa now has) with goaltending.
We don’t have edmontons lack of depth
We may not have the supreme top 3 talent at any position but goaltending, but in a defensive system like this, plus Igor’s puck handling? Adds an extra wrinkle.

Laf and Kakko both looked significantly faster.
Trouba looked healthy.

The team asked for structure and got it.

Oh and we’ve actually got talent in the system with Othmann and Perrault.

Im not convinced of this. My biggest worry is about who is going to score outside our top 6. The bottom 6 looks like it might struggle to put up points.

The rest of the post i agree 100% with

 

[Levitate]

We'll see how it goes, there will be some ups and downs and all that stuff. It's a good start at least. When you can play well defensively, still score 4 goals and add a EN goal, and overall be in control of the game start to finish, that's gotta give you a little boost
What I'm hoping to see is that the Rangers get that identity that a team like Boston or Tampa or Carolina has. You know what they're gonna be like when you play them because they've done it well for so long. If the Rangers get to the end of the season and everyone is like "oh yeah don't want to face the Rangers, with Shesterkin and the way they defend and can score goals, they're dangerous" then that's the good stuff

Im not convinced of this. My biggest worry is about who is going to score outside our top 6. The bottom 6 looks like it might struggle to put up points.

The rest of the post i agree 100% with

meh, Trochek and Wheeler will put up points one way or another and be solid for a 3rd line I think

e: I mean having Trochek on the 3rd line by himself should be a sign of depth...dude is a really good player even if we might want to bitch about why he was signed

 

[mandiblesofdoom]

It was so refreshing to see the team break out & transition competently. If they are gonna look like this most of the time I'm optimistic.

 

[IDvsEGO]

Im not convinced of this. My biggest worry is about who is going to score outside our top 6. The bottom 6 looks like it might struggle to put up points.

The rest of the post i agree 100% with

3rd line doesn’t have to score. They have to do what they did last night, play heavy, grind the teams defense down.

4th line needs to do the same

 

[cheech70]

With this system and the low quality of scoring chances on Igor it allows us to trade Igor and use a 2nd tier goalie

 

[GENESISPuck94]

Systems looked fine. Effort level looked fine. Stamina through the game was fine.

Player usage was still shit and later when we are facing much better teams it will be a major issue.

Is the ultimate goal to look good against Buffalo in game 1 of 82. Or is the goal to win a Cup and multiple Cups. If not then what the f*** are we doing here. We aren't winning jack shit with Trocheck leading the team's forwards in ice time by a WIDE margin. Panarin played about 3 minutes LESS than Trocheck. That's flat-out stupid. No other words for it.

 

[CasusBelli]

Trouba and Lindgren thrive under structure. So do youngsters. And, while players in their prime benefit from creativity and a loose system, veterans can compensate for declining physical attributes through structure and clearly defined roles.

Our team is old and young. This is perfect timing.

 

[zlev]

Systems looked fine. Effort level looked fine. Stamina through the game was fine.

Player usage was still shit and later when we are facing much better teams it will be a major issue.

Is the ultimate goal to look good against Buffalo in game 1 of 82. Or is the goal to win a Cup and multiple Cups. If not then what the f*** are we doing here. We aren't winning jack shit with Trocheck leading the team's forwards in ice time by a WIDE margin. Panarin played about 3 minutes LESS than Trocheck. That's flat-out stupid. No other words for it.

Trocheck kills penalties and Panarin does not. do you want Panarin killing penalties?