Rangers at Hurricanes

[cagedlion]

Hoping for some Ranger scoring tonight. Like to
see Nash, Brass, Step, CK and Zucc get some points
tonight. Good luck.

 

[Messiah717]

Nice shit goal allowed.

 

[cagedlion]

Not the way to win this game. Canes up 1-0 early 1st.

 

[jamsim67]

Good goal, but they're trying to be to cute ... just take the shot, when you have the shot

 

[cagedlion]

3rs & 4th lines are very much in this game. + & -
Does Stepan still play on this team?

Rangers up 2-1 at end of 2nd period.

 

[Messiah717]

The offense is just sloppy right now. Tied 2-2 and they deserve it. Too many missed chances.

 

[jamsim67]

They didn't really show up to play, just not totally in it. Letting Carolina dictate the play for 2 of 3 periods. Lets see if they can redeem themselves in OT

 

[jamsim67]

Once again, stop with the deke and just shoot

 

[Messiah717]

Hags shoot the damn puck.

 

[jamsim67]

Still don't feel comfortable in the shootout with Cam ...

 

[Messiah717]

Shootout time. They should be happy they atleast got a point in this one.

 

[jamsim67]

Shoot the damn puck!

 

[Messiah717]

Good job Cam. Get out of there with the two points. The 99 point Ducks at the Garden tomorrow.

 

[jamsim67]

Okay, I feel comfortable with Cam now

 

[Messiah717]

All I can say is the offense is certainly not carrying this team right now.

 

[cagedlion]

Offense is on the defense......lately. Very fortunate
for the 2 pts tonight.

The Mighty Ducks tomorrow on national TV (again).

Then the Kings Tuesday on national TV. (again!).

But first things first......Offense.....When did team
score their last PP goal?

 

[Messiah717]

Ugh more NBC crap.

 

[cagedlion]

There is not one 'easy' game from here on out:

Sun -- Ducks
Tue -- Kings
Thu at Ottawa
Sat at Boston
Sun -- Capitals
Tue at Winnipeg
Thu at Minnesota
Sat -- Devils
Mon -- Blue Jackets
Tue at New Jersey
Thu -- Senators
Sat at Washington

 

[Messiah717]

Twelve games to go in a span of twenty days. Even .500 gets them to 109 points.

 

[cagedlion]

Exactly. These games are scheduled very closely.
I.E. Next weekend Boston & Washington.....then
Tue at Winnipeg. That's a killer!

 

[chuckd3534]

If we get 109 points, that would mean the Pens and Isles need 110 to pass us.

The Isles would need 18 of 18 possible points remaining for them.
The Pens would need 20 of 20 possible points remaining for them.

Both of the max points for the Isles and Pens is 110.

 

[chuckd3534]

Even if you give us 1/3 of our possible points remaining, 8 total, that still leaves us at 105 points. Which means the Pens and Isles would need 106 points to pass us.

The Isles would need 14 of 18 possible points remaining for them (78%).
The Pens would need 16 of 20 possible points remaining for them (80%).

Perfect storm is the only way we lose the Met now.

 

[Messiah717]

I read Klein will start skating this week and we know Hank's return is imminent. Get healthy and get the offense on track is the goal.

 

[panzerporter]

I'll take 2 points against a team that always gives the Rangers problems any day. Still don't know what's up with McD, doesn't appear to be anything physically wrong but he continues to make one boneheaded play after another. CK and Brassard need to shoot the puck more. I thought the Rangers played pretty well last night, the officials overlooked quite a few trips and hooks by the Canes.

 

[chuckd3534]

All that matters Mess. Be healthy and ready for the playoffs.

We will win the Met, which means home ice in rounds 1 and 2 (if we get there). We may finish behind Montreal and/or TB, and if we do so be it. To be honest I am more focused on finished ahead of TB at least because they are SO much better at home than on the road. They are essentially a .500 team on the road. So I would like to finish ahead of TB, we are 2 up with 2 in hand at the moment, but it isn't the end all be all.

As for the West, I don't care that much about finishing ahead of the Ducks, Blues, and Preds but of course wouldn't mind it. If we beat the Ducks tonight we can finish ahead of them. And right now we are ahead of the Blues and Preds with games in hand and hold the TB over both.

So we are in a great position for the Met. And at least on the same footing with the 5 other teams we are battling for home ice with. All we can ask for. If we finish ahead of TB and the West teams except for maybe the Ducks, I am fine. Meaning 3rd or 4th in the league and I am good. The only team I really would like to be ahead of is TB as I mentioned.

 

[chuckd3534]

Shoot the puck...I agree. I put some of that on AV now. It has been an issue the past few weeks (which has been our scoring slump...just by coincidence). Brass and Yandle and Zucc are leading the pack. Those guys don't even look at the net sometimes. It is frustrating. And Hags and Step aren't far behind. We need to start looking shot first more often.

 

[kreidertime]

Sather did not address the position of scoring forward. Sheppard was a good add. However, with St. Louis out despite his showing of age, the forward lines are struggling.

 

[chuckd3534]

Yeah, and he'll be back within the next week or so thankfully. As much as MSL has struggled he is 2nd in goal scoring on the team AND he is a threat that needs attention from the other team. I also think this 2 week break for him will be just what the doctor ordered. I expect a very good playoff showing for MSL.

I also think Miller has really turned a corner as well. Our top 9 when healthy is very good IMO. Step/Brass/Hayes at C. Kreider/Nash/Hags on LW. MSL/Zucc/Miller on RW. That is a rock solid top 9. Add in a 4th line of Sheppard/Moore/Fast and we have a deep team IMO. I like that 4th line and hopefully AV goes that route and scratches Glass.

And we all know our D is the best in the league 1-6, or worst case top 3 in the league. And Hank is a stud in goal of course.

On paper we have a heck of a team and are a clear SC fav. BUT in the NHL the favs don't always win or go far even. So we have a lot of work ahead of us no doubt.

 

[kreidertime]

Hayes is really looking like he can be special. That to me makes Stepan more and more a guy that might be trade bait over the off-season. I don't think Sather is going to want to lock him up to a long term, 5-6 million dollar deal. This is now the second season in a row he's gone through a huge slump. If they got an offer of Hertl, Wingels and a first I might consider dealing Stepan for that. San Jose surely will want to dump Thornton this off-season. Are we better with this going forward plus the added cap space and signing Sheppard. Stepan is a good player. However, I'm not sure committing 5+ million dollar two times to 50 point centers in Brassard and Stepan is a good idea.

Kreider-Hayes-Nash
Miller-Brassard-Zucc
Hagelin-Wingels-Hertl
Sheppard-D.Moore-Fast

I'm pretty sure Sather will sign Stepan. However, this slump isn't going to help Stepan's contract demands.

 

[Stepupstepan]

Stepan is not going anywhere.
I agree, they need to start shooting more when they get a chance. It seems they always want to score a pretty goal on every goddamn play. Every guy in top 9 does it now. It is getting really annoying.