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?
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.
They usually follow this pattern of a few bad losses then come home and blowout a team perceived as clearly better like Pittsburgh.
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.
Shitty goal? Guy was all alone and shot a rocket in the upper corner... Need a goal on the double minor.
I have no idea what the Rangers are doing on the powerplay. Just taking long shots and making things easy on the goalie.
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.
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.
There should no longer be a debate regarding Staal. Trade his ass. On top of that Mcdonagh is playing like complete trash.
Just a matter of time before Staal/Girardi lose focus and hurt the team. Theyre liabilities late in the game.
