Game 11 Wild vs Rangers

[kreidertime]

In some ways it could be a tremendous benefit to the Rangers to see if they can overcome not playing with Fox. In the playoffs when a couple players like Panarin and Zibanejad did nothing the team went to shit. Finding other ways to win when your best players don’t produce is a team skill.

 

[NYR_94]

Given Fox is out for 10 games at least, and the Wild are struggling, I'd love to see them find a way to win this game. To me every game they can win without Fox is a plus. It will be tough, and you have to figure the Wild are due for some better play, but this is a winnable game going in.

 

[kreidertime]

Oh baby

 

[kreidertime]

Cuylle is impressive.

 

[Ranger71]

Good to see Wheeler get on the board, and Cuylle's 1st assist. Kill this penalty off and it could really demoralize them.

 

[Ranger71]

Geez, get it the fuck together.

 

[kreidertime]

Looks like they didn’t get it together

 

[Ranger71]

Outplayed badly after the first 5 minutes.

 

[kreidertime]

Kakko looks like he’s been stuck in mud all season.

 

[Ranger71]

Schneider hasn't really improved much since his rookie year.

 

[Messiah717]

Kreider ties it at 4. Paging Mika. We need you.

 

[Stepupstepan]

Schneider hasn't really improved much since his rookie year.

Michael Del Z0tto 2.0

 

[kreidertime]

Schneider has improved a lot since his rookie year. He’s just always paired with schmucks.

 

[Stepupstepan]

I haven't seen much improvement from him.

 

[Ranger71]

Holy schnikes.

 

[Messiah717]

They’ve done Quick no favors in this one. The Rangers being badly outplayed. I’ll take the point so far.

 

[kreidertime]

Because you’re head is up your ass. Most dumbass fans just look at points. That’s not his game. His game is to keep the puck out of the net.

 

[Stepupstepan]

he is not good at keeping the puck out of the net.

 

[Messiah717]

Pure survival to get it to the skills competition for the extra point.

 

[Stepupstepan]

God forbid Lafrenier will take on a defender and actually make an elite play. Just another pussy.

 

[kreidertime]

Well, then they got a point probably didn’t deserve one

 

[Ranger71]

Take it and run.

 

[Messiah717]

They never do well in the shootout.

 

[Stepupstepan]

This organization has no depth at any position. Pathetic. Their first call up is this garbage Brodshitsky.

 

[Stepupstepan]

Look at Boston. They lose their top two centers and tons of other guys and they don't miss a bit. This organization is one serious injury to their top players away from being in a toilet.

 

[Ranger71]

Freaking Fleury comes in at 3-0 and ends up getting another win on his record.

 

[NYR_94]

As was written, that is a take the point and run game. Given the circumstances leading up to the game, including the Wild being on edge and playing desperate hockey, and the Rangers being due for an L, not surprised the way this one played out. Happy to get a point considering, and certainly not a bad thing.

With that said, need to be much better without Fox if we want to continue accumulating points. 3 home games coming up against the Wings, Wild, and CBJ (the last 2 are very winnable). We'll see how it goes.

 

[PorterPanzer]

Guys called it at the first intermission, even Vesey said as much but two games in a row when their opponent turned up the physical play on the forecheck the Rangers wilted like lettuce on a hot sandwich. It's shocking how offensively inept Laf and Kakko are but baffling that neither has done any off season conditioning to improve. Laf has at least found some success parking hit fat ass in front of the net but Kappo still looks like someone's lost kid brother. Drury needs to remember why he was hired, the Rangers need a few gritty players with size or more players will ne hitting the injured list. He hasn't been all bad though, Quick was a nice signing and Gustafsson was a great addition at #6D.

 

[NYR_94]

While I agree with a lot of what you wrote Panzer, injuries happen in the NHL, and I don't think having more grit will change that. Boston is missing players, Hughes got hurt (also got hurt last season), Hischier is out as well for the Devs, McDavid missed time. The list is long. The reality the Rangers have lived in the past few seasons of very few impactful injuries was very lucky, and we didn't have extra grit the past few seasons, yet we stayed mostly injury free. With that said, I agree with your point of needing more grit in general, so we are aligned, I just don't think overall I would correlate injuries with not having that grit.

And I totally agree about Laf and Kakko (good description of Kakko). This is their 3rd coach now, and I still see the same stuff. I cannot keep blaming others for these guys not stepping up. At least Laf has shown some life and scored some goals, and I still think there is something there for him, Kakko I have no words for anymore. I really hate to say this, but he is pretty useless IMO. I just don't see him adding much. He can control the puck sometimes using his body well to shield off players, but if nothing comes from it does it really matter - to me the answer is no it doesn't. Not sure what to do other than continuing to give them top 6 minutes and hope it clicks. It is the Rangers only chance to win big, barring a trade, so I think you have to.

Team is facing adversity now without Fox and Chytil, in a league where depth is at a premium due to the hard cap. We'll see if they can hold down the fort. At least they have winnable games at home coming up as I wrote above.

 

[PorterPanzer]

Hughes tripped over the goalie so like Chytil's injury there was no malice just unfortunate circumstances to an injury prone player. Hischier, on the other hand, was hit with a cheap shot to the head and there were 2 Debs on Clifton with gloves off immediately - that's what is missing on this Rangers team. I think you fall into the trap of most Rangers fans thinking they can just finesse their way through the post season without getting their hands dirty, every Cup winner has grinders as effective as their scorers.