Everyone must have been at the game..... The Kreider-Step-Zucc line is absolutely ROLLIN right now. Take Zucc out of Tort's style, give him the opportunity to create, and the kid can make things happen.
Prodigy, that can be said for all the ranger skill players especially kreider who with a chance to play without looking over his shoulder is emerging as a force after wasting last year with that meglo-maniac. Eventually want to see kreider-stepan-kristo line. Step and kreider should play their career on the same line as long as their both rangers
You're right, it's true for everyone, but Zucc especially was getting a lot of crap in here when he was brought back. Everyone seemed to think he was worthless but he's showing he can be a real productive player when put in the right situation. I said dating back to last year I want to see Kreider-Stepan-Nash. That would be a big, fast line that can control the puck. Maybe by the end of the year we'll get to see that.
Zuccarello blows. Stepan and Kreider are the line. I would put nothing into what Zuccarello has done the past 2 games. He played the Islanders who are soft defensively and the Sabres who are the worst team in hockey. Zuccarello doesn't win battles vs. quality teams. It's great to see Kreider playing like he did when he first game up in the playoffs. He's finally working hard. Miller finally drove the net for once last night. Kids are stepping up.
Disagree dump. If you don't want to put any stock in what he's done the past two games then you can't put stock in what anybody has done the past 2 games. Everyone has played the Isles and Sabres, not just him. You are right though that I would like to see him (and everyone else) keep it up against the bigger and better teams. The Anaheim game coming up with be a good test for everyone
If they can get healthy I really like this team. They're getting the system and by god scoring pp goals
I understand your point, Prod, but i think the difference is players like Stepan and Kreider have either proven they can perform against the better teams or have the skills (speed, size, talent) to compete against them. I don't see Zucc as someone who can do that, and having someone who can mostly play well against poor teams doesn't bode well for the playoffs.
This is true 31, but remember, the only time we've seen Zucc play against these better and bigger teams is when he did it playing Tortorella hockey which suffocates creativity and and emphasizes grinding and banging. Of course Zucc is going to get bullied trying to play that way. I know the playoffs are a whole different animal but maybe AV's system will give him just enough time and space to be effective, even against a team like Boston. We'll see. I'm not writing him off.
With Nash (hopefully his year), Callahan and Moore coming back the team should get a boost especially with guys like Kreider and Pouliot playing like they should. Nash - Stepan - Kreider Hagelin - Richards - Callahan Miller - Brassard - Pouliot Dorsett - Moore - Boyle ...not really sure where Zuccarello will fit in. Makes no sense to have him on the 4th line. He has played well offensively recently. There will probably always be an injured forward though. Pyatt just belongs somewhere else
Crap team or not its good to see them play well. This was a good game by NYR. Now we need to get Nash and Cally back and make an impactful trade
Kreider will make a big difference this year if he continues to park himself in front of the net. Plus he has enough skill to clean up rebounds.
Dump will never EVER admit that he is wrong. Zucc has been playing well for the most part especially since the red wings game and not just against the isles and sabres. The guy who also clearly has made a big difference is Hagelin. He wont score tons of goals but he brings a lot of speed and he is excellent on for-check. He has given them a big boost.
I'm not going to start bashing Boyle because he plays hard and is what he is, but if they can somehow upgrade from him on the 4th line that would help even more. Someone with a little more quickness. Fast is still a little green so maybe a vet from a bottom rung team later in the season. I'd still like to see Lindberg get an audition during the year.
Idk 71, I think Boyle would be great to keep on the 4th line. He is consistently on the ice late in games when we have the lead and he does a great job. Takes faceoffs, blocks shots, is defensively responsible. When everyone is healthy and if everyone is still clicking like this, I think I bump Miller to the 4th and scratch D.Moore. A 4th line of Miller-Boyle-Dorsett isn't too bad at all. I don't think it would hurt his development at all playing with those guys because that's a 4th line that could play quality minutes. Not one of those Tortorella 4th lines that sees 3 minutes a game. Miller is big enough to bang with them too. Kreider-Stepan-Nash Hagelin-Richards-Callahan Pouliot-Brassard-MZA (great preseason line) Miller-Boyle-Dorsett Scratch/reseve D.Moore, send Pyatt to I dont care where
D. Moore has been a bit of a disappointment, not that a ton was expected of him, but for a vet I thought he'd be contributing a little more. Boyle is good on faceoffs, I'd just like to see a little bit more offensive punch from that line. I was thinking maybe someone like Downie or Goc from Florida, Moss from Phoenix. They wouldn't be hard to get for a decent prospect or two. The thing with Boyle that always irks me is he always seems a step slow behind the puck. Especially if Nash remains out they could use all the goal supplementing they can get. Not major but a tweak I think which could help them become more complete.
