Game 3 Canes vs. Rangers

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Old Ranger teams would have lost that game
Old Ranger teams would have lost 2 or 3 games already in these playoffs. Still need 9 more wins, but through 7 games we have not seen a Rangers team win playoff games like this since 94. It might not end like 94 with a long road still left, but how can you not be impressed with what we have seen thus far. Carolina is a very good team, and we are owning special teams and winning the big moments. Really awesome stuff, first time in a long time.

Our biggest advantage is in goal, and we are seeing that play out in a huge way against the Canes, and special teams have been huge for us also.

Shoutout to our top players all showing up thus far. The top two lines have been super.
 
Lafreniere is adding that extra dynamic right now along with the Ranger’s top players going at a very high level.
 
Now that the game is over and we found a way again, I think it was the right move to get Chytil in there tonight. We have been great, but if Chytil can get his legs under him after a few games, he can make us even more dangerous moving forward. It turned out to be a smart move to put him in and rip the rust band-aid off, and it also makes the 4th line that much better with Cuylle there now. We still have more upside we can get to, I think.

And once again, thank you Igor for being our big advantage over maybe every team in the NHL, and especially in this series.
 
Look at the top 6 through 7 games:

Zibanejad 12 points, Trocheck 12 points, Lafreniere 9 points, Panarin 9 points, Kreider 7 points, Roslovic 5 points.

Compare that production to the 7-game series against NJ last season, wow. Kreider is scoring a point a game, and he is our 5th leading scorer. And they added an assist for Laf on the OT winner, and rightfully so.
 
Chytil back is huge if he can stay healthy. Cuylle on the 4th line gives us maybe the best 4th line in hockey.
 
Now that the game is over and we found a way again, I think it was the right move to get Chytil in there tonight. We have been great, but if Chytil can get his legs under him after a few games, he can make us even more dangerous moving forward. It turned out to be a smart move to put him in and rip the rust band-aid off, and it also makes the 4th line that much better with Cuylle there now. We still have more upside we can get to, I think.

And once again, thank you Igor for being our big advantage over maybe every team in the NHL, and especially in this series.

I was just going to say. The advantage they have in goal is massive.
 
I watch almost all these playoff games, and no team has the depth we have. Go look at 4th lines on other teams, and you are not seeing Cuylle/Goodrow/Vesey ability. And most 3rd lines don't have Chytil/Wennberg/Kakko ability. It is a big edge for us. Backed up with a very good top 6, two strong pairs on D, and a great goalie.

The beauty of the grueling NHL playoffs is any team can win, so while this is great, we still have a long way to go to achieve our goal, but right now how we are playing, we have as good a chance to win the Cup as any team left, it is the most difficult trophy to win for good reason.
 
Need to stay healthy. All the teams are brutal to play against. They need to win one more game and the Canes sure as fuck won't make it easy.
 
If you watch a replay of the Kreider SH goal. He made Burns look like a scrub who couldn't skate. He left his dumbass in the dust.
 
First time since 2008 a team started the playoffs 7-0, the Pens did it that year, they lost in the SCF to the Wings.

Panarin has the GWG in 4 of our 7 wins, very impressive.
 
This team continues to get it done...it's amazing and fun to watch! Getting that 4th win in the series is always the most difficult, go out Saturday night and put the screws to them then get some rest while everybody else beats the hell out of each other.
 
I guess Vinny T was superior over Ryan Strome and Breadman is forgiven for last year's playoffs?
 
Panarin is not forgiven for last year, because he was a complete moron, never shooting the puck when has one of the best shots in all hockey. I respect the hell out of him for changing his game at his age. Strome was an excellent Ranger. Trochek got that idiotic no movement clause but I’m gonna tell you he sure as hell is earning it which is hard to do. As bad as Drury was last year he’s been that good this year.
 
Trocheck is better than I thought. At the time we signed him I thought he was better than Strome or Copp but was in the same ballpark (better but not crazy better), and he is obviously better than that, and clearly above Strome or Copp by a good margin. Happy Drury was proven right on that one.

As for Panarin, I agree with Dump, I don't think forgiven is the right word. It still happened, and he refused to shoot and be aggressive. What I would say is huge kudos to Panarin to change his game like he did, and understand he needed to be more aggressive and shoot more. It is not easy for a player of his caliber to realize that, and own it, and make the change. He deserves amazing credit for having the self-awareness and dedication to do it.
 
Panarin is now the player he was born to be. He has carried this team all season. Zibanejad with Wennberg no longer has to be the checking center for the other teams best line. Something he was last year. So Wennberg bashers need to realize you're fucking stupid and don't understand hockey. Wennberg can now free Zibanejad up offensively. If they can ever sweep the Canes it would be huge because Boston and Florida are going to beat the shit out of each other. As we have seen in the Hank years, when you play long series, it hurts you as you get into the later rounds.
 
I think Wennberg is a good fit right where he is. I wish the guy could win some FO's, he is really bad there, but he is a good fit as a 3rd line C who can take the top defensive assignment (freeing up Zibanejad) and kill penalties. He doesn't really score at all, one goal as a Ranger, but for this team and what we need, that is okay, and we don't need him to be a scorer. Be a smart player who plays D and is strong on the PK that is what we need from him, and he does it well. If you ask him to be a top 6 player, I think that is trouble.

I am curious to see with wingers like Chytil and Kakko, can that line score some though. That would be a very big plus for us if they can chip in a few goals. In theory on paper that should be a line that can score well for a 3rd line, in addition to having good metrics of puck control like they have had thus far in the playoffs with Cuylle. Maybe with Chytil they can score some now as well.

As for this series, I think we'd all love the sweep, but I say just win in 5 or less. You go past 5 and then you are getting a little nervous, both with wear and tear going 6 or 7, and that you may actually lose the series. The key to me is no more games in Carolina this season after tomorrow's game. You win in 5 and you cannot be upset or bothered by that, while of course you would love to end it tomorrow. Teams that go up 3-0 in a series, win that series 98% of the time.

You have to figure the Bruins/Panthers series should go at least 6, hard to see the Panthers winning the next 3, and 4 straight overall. Most likely will be the Panthers, but I am rooting for the Bruins, I think that would be a better matchup for us. Truth be told, if we get through Carolina in good shape, I favor the Rangers against either the Bruins or Panthers.
 
Another great game made better seeing Chytil back, needs to keep his head up around the net though, Igor was outstanding again and it all starts with him> The Canes remain a small, dirty team, watching tiny Tony mouth off down 3-0 reminded me of how happy I was to see him go. Laf has matured into a great player and dare I say Kakko is playing with an edge too. Take care of business and watch for the cheap shots. Let's Go Rangers!
 

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