Derek Stepan is a game-time decision

[cagedlion]

So, you think I was kidding about the damn Domino Theory?
Now, Jesper Fast has a right knee sprain!

Lack of depth is the real Ranger problem.

 

[kreidertime]

Rangers have more depth than almost every team. It's impossible to have endless amounts of depth with the cap.

 

[kreidertime]

The Rangers depth right now is on the roster. They don't have guys that can fill in on a high level from the minors. However, very few teams do. Lindberg could possible fill in for Fast.

 

[chuckd3534]

The Rangers need scoring depth upfront. The 3rd line is short. Has been all season. This isn't about players who can step in and play in the NHL and provide some minutes like Fast, this is about players who can actually score more than 7 or 8 goals. We need another scorer for the 3rd line. Crystal clear to me. Right now if the top 6 or 7 guys don't score we do not score.

Good night for us last night as the Bruins beat the Isles and the Canucks beat the Pens. Maybe we can get another break and the Flyers can win at the Caps, doubtful but who knows. And our game tonight is big IMO.

 

[chuckd3534]

BTW...rough year for Step injury sickness wise. Guy never missed a game, this year has missed a bunch. Hope he is good to go tonight.

 

[Ranger71]

I know Nashville's D is excellent but especially with a backup in net now they have to really do a mop up job keeping rebounds and point blank shots away from Talbot. That's a big problem for them in general, though HL tends to bail them out alot. It was the difference late in the 2nd yesterday.

 

[chuckd3534]

That's it sc. I said it before the game yesterday, Cam has rebound control issues. We need to be 100% on point with clearing the front or else it will bite us like it did on the 1st goal yesterday. Out of all the good Hank does for us, that is # 1 I think. He very rarely leaves a rebound in a juicy spot for the other team, and that is what we need to adjust to now with Cam.

As for point blank shots, I think you can say that about most goalies, but I agree with you. My confidence level for Cam to truly rob the other team isn't that high.

I think Cam is a solid backup, but I think he is clearly a backup. I know he has starter dreams in two years, which is why he only resigned for one year, but to get there dude has work to do.

When Cam starts 1 random game every 8-10 games or so you can step up your D and your game as a team. When he is going to start 13 or 14 games out of 15 it is different. Regular play settles in. Cam needs to step up his game. I admit I don't have a ton of confidence in Cam, I think he is a decent NHL goalie, but I do think if we play strong in front of him we can win games with Cam.

Tonight is interesting to me because Dallas can score goals. Their D is poor and we should score also, but they can score, so I want to see how Cam handles a back to back against a good scoring team.

Assuming Hank is back early March, think March 5th to 10th, we should be fine. Where I get concerned is if he misses longer. I would love to see Hank back worst case for the last 10 games to get his timing back for the playoffs, but hope he is back sooner....maybe the last 18 or so games (we have 32 left right now).

 

[Ranger71]

Right, point blank shots are tough even for elite goalies, especially when Shea Weber is doing the shooting.lol For the Rangers their issue tends to be bunching up and then seeing rebounds go to wide open people. And with alot of smallish players they often can't even reach pucks to flip it out.

 

[Ranger71]

I can't really even believe Skapski as a 6th round pick just last year was already at the AHL level. I figured he would be in juniors at least two years, especially not having 1st round talent. I guess he's moved quicker through the system.