KEY game tonight at the Garden

[cagedlion]

Rangers have been inconsistent so far. No news here.
Tonight they must play to their optimum.....who knows
what that is.....because they sure have not won games
on a regular basis. They lack physical power( and I do
not mean fighting!), centermen lack scoring...like most
of the team. Defense is offensive, particularly the D men
and Lundqvist. Hank has not been very good in the net.
NOT Acceptable.

This team needs to grow a pair and be a force. New year...
different team. What is this team waiting for?

 

[panzerporter]

I agree with you about the inconsistency, the Rangers should know that as Stanley Cup finalists every team is coming in gunning for them, there are no days off. Klein has been very good defensively at a bargain price and Girardi continues to be a horse. McDonough and Boyle's return from injury has been disappointing but you would have to think they'll improve. J. Moore has been handed a job but doesn't seem to think he has to play hard to keep it. Watching Hunwick try to stop an opponent's charge is like watching a candy bar wrapper flapping on the bumper of an SUV, zero physical presence with no upside other than filling in should the defensive corps be decimated by injuries. There are more viable options in Allen or McIlrath who are more likely to play a part in the team's future but don't seem to fit into AV's plans.

Hank typically starts slow so part of any winning streak will require him to get things going. With a 2.70 GAA (25th among regular starters with 10+ games) and .905 save percentage (31st) Hank needs to start earning that massive extension the Rangers gave him.

 

[Ranger71]

They usually follow this pattern of a few bad losses then come home and blowout a team perceived as clearly better like Pittsburgh.

 

[chuckd3534]

I'll say one thing, something we have seen more in 25 games this year than the past few years combined it seems is 4 guys on one side of the ice leaving the other side WIDE open for a pass, shot, and goal. That's frustrating...guys out of position a lot this season.

 

[Messiah717]

1-0 Pitt as Lundy gives up another shitty goal.

 

[chuckd3534]

Shitty goal? Guy was all alone and shot a rocket in the upper corner...

Need a goal on the double minor.

 

[Messiah717]

I have no idea what the Rangers are doing on the powerplay. Just taking long shots and making things easy on the goalie.

 

[chuckd3534]

Outside of a 2 or 3 minute stretch we didn't really have any good chances that period, including on the late PP. Need to get some O going. As bad as Kreider has been, with him out you see the need for another top 9 forward even more. Really thin upfront.

 

[chuckd3534]

I have no idea what the Rangers are doing on the powerplay. Just taking long shots and making things easy on the goalie.

Yeah, I think someone told them they need to shoot, which is the right message, but with no traffic in front it simply becomes an easy save and clear for the Pens.

 

[Messiah717]

St.Louis to Miller and it's tied 1-1.

 

[Messiah717]

Nash with his 18th makes it 2-1.

 

[Ranger71]

Hayes looks great tonight, this might be his best game.

 

[Stepupstepan]

great third period. Is Torts coaching the team again? lol

 

[Ranger71]

Staal is a complete joke at this point.

 

[Messiah717]

Fuck this team.

 

[Stepupstepan]

this team needs to be blown up. No matter what happens in this game.

 

[Messiah717]

There should no longer be a debate regarding Staal. Trade his ass. On top of that Mcdonagh is playing like complete trash.

 

[Ranger71]

Just a matter of time before Staal/Girardi lose focus and hurt the team. Theyre liabilities late in the game.

 

[Messiah717]

The blown lead is becoming a theme for this team. Just pissing away points.

 

[Greyvtrayn]

game.

 

[Messiah717]

Thank you Kevin Klein. By far one of the better Rangers this year.

 

[Ranger71]

The best dman by far this year, im glad he's around a few more years. Big getting the regulation win.

 

[Stepupstepan]

Someone, please tell our new captain to start playing hockey. He is so timid.

 

[Messiah717]

Someone, please tell our new captain to start playing hockey. He is so timid.

His game is way off right now.

 

[chuckd3534]

My god, I'm sorry but you guys all need to chill...I mean it is crazy.

Is Torts coaching. Staal is a joke. Team needs to be blown up. Staal should be traded. McDonagh is playing like crap. The usual shot against Girardi by sc.

Chill out guys please. It is nutso. Anything goes bad and we flip out.

Clearly we are losing focus for stretches, tonight against Pitt and last game against the Wings for example, but come on. This team will find its way. Looks at the pluses. Hayes has been very good and is getting better. Nash is a beast. MSL has been playing really well. Klein has been our best dman. All good stuff.

And now for some great stuff, despite all the injuries, despite all the suckiness from so many players as you all claim, despite Hank struggling, despite AV sucking as some of you claim, Zucc 4 goals, Kreider 4 goals...despite ALL THAT if the season ended today we'd be in the playoffs.

So it ain't that bad fellas...relax a little guys....

 

[Stepupstepan]

chuck,
the way they were playing in the third period, it seemed like Torts was coaching again. Do you even watch the games?

 

[chuckd3534]

I do...I am just keeping perspective...sorry about that. I will try and come on here and act as if the sky is falling, and say everyone sucks and everyone should be fired more often....

Anyway, the funny thing is, the team that "concerns" me the most looking ahead to a potential 3rd place battle in the Met is CBJ. As that team gets healthy they will be tough. I think they are better than the rest of those teams we'll potentially battle with for 3rd (not sure how I really feel about the Caps yet).

 

[chuckd3534]

One thing I think 85% of you have to admit, is for a team with a whole bunch of suck ass players and a sucky coach, they are actually doing pretty well being in playoff position (tied with the Caps) if the season ended today. That is pretty good considering how much we suck up and down. Have to admit that guys.

 

[theProdigy223]

No, it didnt seem like Torts was coaching. They were still attempting their breakouts and not doing a group exit. The forwards were not nearly as down low in support as they were under Torts. They were still trying their 3 man entry instead of dump and chase (for the most part). The Pens point men were not nearly as open at even strength. The crease was not nearly as crowded.

This is what's wrong with this board now. Nobody talks actual hockey anymore. It's all whining and one-sentence complaints like a bunch of teenagers about how every player we have is awful and we should trade him for another player that we'll hate the second he puts on a Rangers jersey anyway.

 

[Ranger71]

Staal has not been good, cmon Chuck.