Looks like hank must carry this team on his ass again to the playoffs where he will eventually run out of steam as they wont score any goals.
You keep ignoring my point chuck. Yes, we need to score. And I'm NOT saying our offense is good. Offensively we suck. But STOP giving the defense a pass. They've been awful. They fall asleep in the dzone and leave guys wide open all the time. They can't clear a puck against a forecheck. They can't win board battles because they lack heart and are all Charmin soft. Because of this awful defensive effort, they have longer shifts because they cannot clear the puck, and then when they do clear it out they don't have energy to do anything and when they do, THEY SUCK AND CAN'T HIT A WIDE OPEN NET. I'm not disagreeing with you about the offense chuck. They are awful. But they're awful because defensively this team doesn't do what is needed and necessary to be successful.
Hank not getting it done and it is on the D. We don't score goals, but the D is killing us. Is what it is.
Don't speak to me like a simpleton. I'm not a fucking child. I don't speak down to you about your stupidity constantly saying "well it's only game X of 82 so I'm not going to worry" and then you all of a sudden say this team isn't any good like many of us had said since early on due to the shots on goal against and how there was simply no way that the Rangers could keep winning giving up all those chances against. But I digress, I've played the game. I played goalie. I'm telling you, from a goalies perspective that this team defensively is inept and because of that this team is offensively inept. It all starts in the d-zone. If we could break a forecheck better and break out on an odd man rush more (which is what AVs system calls for) our offense would probably start doing better.
I don't give the D a pass, but the D is MUCH better than the O. If you were looking to point fingers at where the biggest issue is you would point at the O by a mile IMO. The D no doubt was terrible to start the season, but they have played much better lately, and what you don't want to accept 94 is Hank is part of the D, he has an 8.5 mill cap hit for a reason, he needs to be a stud. Him playing really well is part of the D to me...that is why he is paid like he is. You want to act like we have a lesser goalie and need to protect him. Hank needs to be great, and he is part of the D to me. We are allowing 1 or 2 goals a game and we don't score. That is it. The D is far from perfect, but we don't score and that is the huge issue.
Based on what? They often don't shoot and when they do they often times miss the net. You're vastly overrating the offensive ability of these forwards.
While most of you can go on posting through your tears and tantrums I will point out some positives for those who dont watch games like toddlers. That was a great game by McDonagh today. One of his best in awhile. He got very little help from Klein and carried that pairing. On the PK goal Girardi was WAYYY too high up. He completely lost his space and Simmonds was left alone at the post. No idea where G was skating off to. I have to assume that's what Hank was talking about with Ulfie. Staal was also strong today too. Offensively Nash had 3 or 4 carries to the net. He needs to do more of that and they'll start going in. The issue though is on every single one of them he ends up on his ass. There's no way a guy with his strength and his size should be getting knocked down so easily and frequently. I first noticed this when he came back from the concussions. He seems to fall at first contact rather than fight through it. That's 100% a mental thing and unfortunately if he hasnt gotten over it now I doubt he ever will. JT is growing on me big time. I like him with Brassard and Zucc, there's a little bit of Pouliot in his game in how he can play the corners and get to loose pucks. Chuck I see you writing off tomorrow but Holtby is starting today so we may get Grubauer tomorrow. Of course he seems to play like Hasek against us but I'd rather see him than Holtby right now. If we can get a point there and take 3/4 in a back to back, gotta be happy.
They have to start doing a much better job clearing the puck. I don't know how feasible it is with a generally slow moving team
Like I said, it isn't his fault he hasn't been his usual Hank self. The defense has left him out to dry with guys wide open in front and an inability to clear the zone.
Actually, I think the D is fine and have said that all year long. Unlike you I know Hank needs to be a stud, that is why he has an 8.5 mill cap hit. The O is terrible...that is the issue. And on this you are a simpleton. The O scores 1 or 2 a game and you continue to talk about the D game after game...focus...don't worry about the D and Hank...if we don't score we will go nowhere. Just like we got shutout in games 5 and 7 last year of the ECF in our building. Just like we didn't score against the Kings. Just like we barely won games against the Pens and all their hurt dmen...WE DON'T SCORE.
McDonagh has played really well recently, back that to top level, and that's great to see. Truth is in hockey who knows...sure we can beat the Caps in DC, but to me that's why AV started Hank today. He said Philly we need to win. At DC is going to be tough no matter what, so start Hank against Philly and let Raanta play against the Caps, a game that will be tough to win anyway. But yeah, you are right Prod...never know what can happen. Maybe Raanta is on his game being well rested.
Don't underestimate how much some kind of trade could shake this bunch up. I'm not talking about some fringe guy. Yank a core guy out of here if you can make it work with another team and lets see what can happen.
Of course he is. He has laser focus on the D. All good though, everyone is entitled to their opinion. I respect that.
It is amazing how much time Nash spends on his ass in the game. All you have to do is just softly shove him to the side and he will be off balance.
I am with you Mess. If we can make a deal to add a legit scoring forward I still think this team can get it done. But we need to add scoring. I wonder what a package of Hayes and Yandle would get...assuming Yandle gets dealt because we cannot resign him.
Oh yeah, Nash will go on a run at some point...and then disappear in the playoffs. BUT this season we need that run to secure a playoff spot.
