Build up a nice cushion by January. On a side note. How does that assclown Downie keeping finding work? He sucks. Hopefully the light bulb is going on for Hayes that he needs to shoot as much as Lindberg. I think Lindberg is a good influence on him. He should shoot a lot more.
Agreed. 5 W's in a row, 2nd most points in the NHL, 2nd best goal differential in the NHL and I'm not sure any of the fans on this board even know it.... I love how the team is playing. I love how Raanta is playing. Fun to watch right now. And we have done all this with Nash and CK doing very little. Makes it even more impressive. As for shooting more, I can't help but think if the Rangers were a little more selfish we'd score a lot more goals. It isn't just Hayes it is many players on this team. Look at the Avs game. Zucc has an empty net...and he passes to Stalberg who misses the net...no goal. That could have really hurt us. Perfect example of what we do. To me Zucc, Brass, Hayes, Yandle, and Step all need to shoot more. Hayes and Brass both have good shots...shoot more. Yandle frustrates me as he is always looking to pass. Look to shoot more and I think the team will be better for it. So far the team has been fun to watch, 5th in GPG/1st in GAA, hopefully they continue to play well. The goalies have come to play so far, that's for sure.
Chuck, I think most of us know and are happy at how well the team is doing. Speaking for myself team is looking even better than it has the past 2 years in terms of continuing to win with a bunch of guys led by most notably nash and kreids(although he got one last night) still yet to break out which you know they will as the back of their hockey card says. I'm amazed at how good raanta is playing and should be able to give a hank a lot of rest as we head to the playoffs later on. Hoping AV moves to more of a 50/50 split with big mac and boyle as we move away from boyle and should also give girardi some games off so he's not gassed for the playoffs like he's been the last few years. Team looks great, looks like a couple of players at hartford could be here to help if needed and of course buch either maybe at the end of his russian season or next year. Looking for gorton to move some bodies for draft picks (yes, a first rounder would be nice) at the deadline to keep the farm young and replenished. Also, what a difference with how the 3rd and 4th line cumulatively looks without glass in there. And also good to see AV making positive comments on big mac lately and especially liked him giving the kid some PK time at the end of a 1 goal game
I would not deal any bodies this season. LLLLLOOOOOONNNNNGGGGG way off, but our depth this year is 100 times better than last year. Having a 4th line of Fast/Moore/Stoll is a big plus. Having Etem as the 13th forward is a big plus. Last season we didn't have a decent 3rd line most of the year, let alone a competent 4th line. To me that is the biggest difference between last year and this year. If we can get CK and Nash going, and Miller can stick on the 2nd line with CK and Step, I think we'll be in real good shape. A 3rd line of Lindberg/Hayes/Stalberg is very solid. And the 4th line I mentioned above is as well. And we actually have some FO guys this year to help Moore in Stoll (57%), and Brass (57%) has really improved this year as well. It is a very well balanced team with a very good D and great goaltending. As usual it will come down to can we score enough in the playoffs to win some games easier and not have to grind out 6 and 7 games at 2-1. That will be the time this team is judged. The regular season is nice, I say again just be 2 or 3 in the Met and I am fine, but we'll be judged in the playoffs. And the biggest question there is can we score goals. Long time until then though, so for now enjoy watching the team play well.
Still on record stating that Glass ruining the offense of the 4th line last year was a big reason the team lost along with injuries. Yesterday was a perfect example. 4th line comes out, Stoll makes a play, Fast scores a goal and the team never looked back. People forgot how huge the 4th line was a couple of years ago in the playoffs for this team.
I'm not going to get into Glass anymore, that horse has been beaten to death, but no doubt our lack of depth last year was an issue. As good as we were during the season, the 3rd and 4th lines are something we talked about all season. It was a concern for sure. The 4th line was huge for us in the playoffs two years ago. And now this year I again think we have the kind of depth you need to win a cup. I am a huge believer that you win a cup by having your top players be your top players in the playoffs AND having enough depth to withstand bumps and bruises and balance out some of the scoring. We simply didn't have the depth last year that we did the prior year, and it hurt us. We have it this season, in November at least, and that is a good thing for us looking forward this year.
I keep missing games this year because of my schedule. I don't think ive really sat down and watched this team this year. So far so good but when football is over I think I'll go back to my old self
One thing I've noticed is that teams seem to play at playoff intensity almost every game vs. the Rangers and the Rangers just play calm, let the goalies make lots of saves and then counter attack. I really don't even think they have played one game at a playoff level yet. Maybe Washington a little but not a whole lot. The PP has looked much better with puck movement. Better than I've seen it in years. Having Hayes maturing has helped a lot. It looked like crap the first few games. Maybe they told our dopey PP coach his job was on the line.
very insightful post about not going 7 games in the first and second round of playoffs. that as much as anything is the biggest obstacle in this team winning the Stanley cup.
