Two hot elite teams both coming off shut outs. It will be a tough contest. Rangers play will be under everyone's microscope tonight. Let's hope they put a winning game together. Go Rangers!
Offensively we look great. Defensively, outside of Hank, we look bad still. We continuously struggle to get the puck out of the zone, and get out shot by a ton almost every game. That NEEDS to be fixed before I can even think of this team as a legit cup contender. In a 7 game series, this team will give up over 200 shots while only getting 140-150. THAT will be a big issue. Can't just solely rely on Hank to always bail you out. Can't keep giving up all these chances and hoping to have Hank make amazing save after amazing save. Need to shore up that defense. I'm enjoying seeing us winning, but if the goal is to win the cup, it's clear to see defensively we need work.
Number one in goals allowed in the entire league. I know the goaltending has been incredible but you have to give credit to the d-men as well. Do you want them to shutout every opponent? The team is a legit cup contender.
Rangers lead after 1 period 3-1. Allow St. Louis to take 16 SOG to their 7 SOG. Bottom line: It all comes down to Lundy. Some checking should help. P.S. Noticing Rangers are not getting PP chances.
I don't expect them to shutout opponents, but it would be nice to give Lundy a night where he doesn't face 30+ high quality shots. Be honest with yourself, if Hank ever has an off night, do you really think we will win with all these quality chances we give up a night? I'm not saying we're not good. I'm not saying I'm not enjoying watching these games, because I am. But all I am saying is that we need to get better in our defensive zone. We struggle with clearing the puck out of our zone and allow a TON of pressure for minutes at a time, which will take its toll as the season goes on. Can't keep expecting Hank to save their asses every game for all their defensive lapses. There will be games he lets in 4-6 goals as right now he's standing on his head making AMAZING saves. This second period is a perfect example. First shot on goal for us still hasn't happen and the Blues are back in the game now.
20-7 shots on goal. We cannot be a serious contender late in the year if we can't get that fixed. Right now it's not a big deal, but that's an INSANE amount of work for Hank in a 7 game series in the playoffs. We just keep turning the puck over and can't get out of the zone. It's been an ongoing issue even last year. Opposing teams get a ton of offensive zone time and we go down and we're one shot and done. We need better forechecking in the offensive zone and better back checking in the defensive zone. Once again, to make it clear, I AM ENJOYING WATCHING RIGHT NOW, BUT IF THE GOAL IS TO WIN THE CUP THERE IS NOTHING WRONG WITH ANY OF US NOTING WHAT THE WEAK SPOTS ARE AND HOOE THEY FIX IT.
This is where you need McI and not this old useless fart Boyle. Brings absolutely nothing to the game.
Number one in GAA, but number four in most shots allowed. That's ALL on Hank bailing out the defense.
I don't know. They're very deep offensively it seems like, and when they do get offensive zone time and pressure it usually results in goals, like the 4th goal. In the defensive zone is where they struggle a lot. The dmen still don't like to take the body and keep poke checking. Forwards seem to not like to back check properly which leads to losing of board battles and clearing passes intercepted due to forwards leaving the zone too soon in hopes of trying to counter quickly.
I agree, the defensemen outside of Klein all get pushed around alot and you're starting to see a real decline in Staal/G.
17 posts in here and over half negative or knocking something. Team has won 7 straight and sits at 12-2-2...can't make it up in here...LOL.
