Losing Kreider is a huge blow. This team as a whole already lacks size and toughness as it is. After Callahan left Kreider is one of the only guys in the top 9 who really finishes his checks. He was a wrecking ball in that series against Boston last year. I really, really hope he will be able to get back for the playoffs. Yes Zucc was able to come back fairly quickly from his hand injury, but his shot hasn't been the same since. Aside from Miller, the guy who is gonna have to step up here as well is Pouliot. I like his game recently. His line with Hags and Richards has actually been going pretty well. He needs to continue to throw the body and play to his size.
Don't like that we haven't heard a peep officially from rangers what the hell this hand injury is and time frame which the skeptic in me thinks might be worse than original rumors. Hope they clear it up today. This is a big god damn loss as kreider excels against the big physical teams that the rest of the team doesn't and while glad that this should mean miller should be back up(he should have been back up for awhile he doesn't quite have kreiders hitting or scoring ability. Hate to say it but typical ranger injury SUCK LUCK :MARIS61::MARIS61:
You have to put it in context Prod. Would it be a big blow if he missed the Flyer series...yes. Is it a big blow considering our position in the standings and our schedule...IMO no. Let's make it simple. If we simply beat the worst team in the NHL Buffalo, the 2nd worst team Edmonton, the 5th worst team Calgary, and two teams at MSG that are out of it and have fallen apart Ottawa and Carolina, that is 10 points. That would mean CBJ would need 15 out of a possible 20 points to finish ahead of us. That would mean the Caps would need 15 out of a possible 18 points to finish ahead of us. AND that also assumes we get 0 points home Philly, at Vancouver, at Colorado, and at Montreal. That is all VERY unlikely and not having Kreider shouldn't affect that one drop IMO. If we cannot beat those bad teams without Kreider (4 goals and 7 points in 21 games) quite frankly we do not deserve to be in the playoffs anyway. That simple to me.
Injuries suck but they happen. The Pens just lost Malkin for a few weeks to a foot injury. Hopefully he can make it back for the playoffs.
I don't disagree sc, it is never easy going out West. But I stand by my comments. If we don't get at worst 3rd in the Met division given our standing and schedule I don't want to see anyone complain about Kreider being out. If we blow this and lose to these really bad teams, we don't deserve to make it anyway IMO. And Mess nailed it as well. Injuries happen. The Pens and Wings have been crushed. If we can't be without Kreider for 3 weeks, who is the 4th or 5th forward at best on the list of guys we can afford to lose, we aren't that good to start with. Plus I like Miller getting a shot. He would be in my top 9 starting tonight.
Apparently Kreider was injured in the Columbus game, meaning he played 2 games with it. Kid doesn't lack toughness, that's for sure. Just hope he didnt make it worse.
Coach Alain Vigneault, while saying the team doctors were still in the process of evaluating the injury, did say Kreider would not accompany the team on its upcoming four-game road trip. The team charter leaves on Thursday for Calgary. Vigneault said the team would have more information in a “couple of days” but did not rule out surgery, saying that was one of the possibilities being decided upon. Vigneault added that Kreider suffered the injury in Friday night’s win at Columbus, meaning he played against both the Devils and Coyotes on Saturday and Monday, through the injury. AHHHHH, The surgical possibility rears its ugly ranger head!!! Shit
A guy like Pouliot must continue to play more physical now. We will miss Kreider's forecheck and hitting but as Chuck said we are getting enough scoring right now to weather this storm. When St Louis starts potting goals it will be less of a concern. The team is playing really well and not getting much from Marty
Looks like Nash/Stepan/MSL is a line tonight. Not sure I love the top heavy line. Maybe Miller plays with Brass and MZA. Hags maybe plays with Richards and Pouilot.
I like St Louis with Nash and Stepan. Its impt to get him going now. He needs confidence I like those lines
That's a good point Dis. Help get MSL going and build some confidence. That is a good reason to go this route.
but moving Nash to his less comfortable side during a stretch run is what we don't need. I would have moved Zucc up and put him on Nash's left. But this is all splitting hairs, lets just go out and get a W. I kind of wish Big Mac was called up just for tonight.
Time to stick with Miller and while they are at it, replace Boyle with Lindberg or Fast. Boyle is as worthless sack of shit and has been for over 2 months. Hopefully, Kreider will be back for the first round of the playoffs.
We all know this is going down to the last 2-3 games of the season where they have to squeak by a team like Buffalo at home to clinch a spot.
No sky is falling or anything but they always diddle around until the last few games to clinch, or get eliminated in SO"s.lol
whats this kreider shite!!!!!!! was it over when the germans bombed pearlharbor????????????? toga toga toga............... is it REALLY all about kreider? or is it LUNDY? lundy is hot, thats all that matters right now! and if someone doesn't take a shot at simmons 2nite i will be diskapointed!
You still nervous sc or you okay now? Like I said, worst case 3rd in the Met, and after tonight we are in an awesome spot to be 2nd in the Met. Beat the terrible teams and we have a great shot at 2nd. As for Kreider, he is a solid player, I'd love him back in 3 weeks for the playoffs, but in the short term to finish the season we'll be okay. When Hank is on his game like now, we are the 2nd best team in the East IMO.
