Wait...the Rangers score 1 goal (and it was on a penalty shot...so ZERO real time goals) AND allow only 25 shots AND go back to pass pass pass pass pass pass pass AND go 0-5 on the PP and you start a thread about the dmen? That is laughable bro. We are all well aware that you hate the D, but please use some objectivity when deciding who to "blame" in a 2-1 loss...double so when 1 Canuck goal was scored on a 5 on 3...triple so when our 1 goal was scored on a penalty shot...LOL.
The thread you should have started, if you were being objective, was how come the Rangers shoot everything last game, their PP was 100% get the puck and shoot it on goal...and it worked. Then the VERY NEXT GAME they go back to refusing to shoot and pass up shot chance after shot chance trying to make the pretty play. THAT'S the thread you should have started 71. Not oh the D can't keep up when they did allow a crazy 1 non 5 on 3 goal and a crazy 25 shots the whole game.
Yes Mess...they did allow 1 non 5 on 3 goal and 25 shots in the game...and the O scored zero non penalty shot goals...I blame the D as well...LOL.
To be fair, it's usually not as simple as pointing to goals scored and saying the defense gets no blame. The D plays a big part in driving possession, executing breakouts, putting the offense in a position to score, etc. That being said, I have no idea how anybody could have watched that game last night and put even one ounce of blame on the defense. Truly laughable.
For sure Prod...in this case the numbers are the smack in the face though...but it isn't always about goals allowed. But when they allowed 1 non 5 on 3 goal AND only gave up 25 shots...come on...LOL.
Frustrating game to watch. Rangers pretty much dominated the first 2 periods but miller stood on his head in goal to keep it scoreless plus got help with as mentioned rangers passing up good scoring chances to make another unnecessary pass. Third period the ref called penalty after penalty on the rangers in like a 3 minute period and even the stoic AV came unglued and got a penalty(thought he was going to throw his gum at the ref) for arguing on one of the calls. Canucks scored on the 5 on 3 and their second was on a beautiful deflection from the side of the net by sedin that hank had no chance on. Boyle with a nice penalty shot goal and watching yesterday seems to always be down low on offense. Wonder if AV might consider trying him at forward since he's caught a lot on defense and maybe could help on offense a little bit (can't be worse). Bad loss to a crap canucks team.
I actually think that penalty on Stoll was legit. Maybe he didn't put his hand on the puck, but clearly he made zero effort to move the puck and was trying to get a whistle. And I am sure the ref was yelling move it or I call a penalty. I really wasn't upset with that call...move the darn puck.
As always with this team...it is about the O. Has been all season regardless of what the numbers said or say.
No consistency and having Stepan out really hurts. Sadly Kreider will continue to score one goal every seven games which is a killer.
I guess it's that they came right out and fell asleep giving up the go ahead goal that's irking me. You guys are right though, they were pretty good last night, the offense is not getting it done. I do think the defense in the 3rd is a problem overall though. Too many wide open chances for other teams.
In a nutshell, this team just lacks depth up front and the D, who are supposed to be active in Vigneault's system, have just been mediocre most nights. Stall and Girardi have trouble keeping up at times! Yandle should not have just 1 goal ! The add ons of Stoll, Stallberg and Etem(just not an NHL player) are crap. They are all just role players that have been added to our cast of role players . We have one offensive line that can dominate at times (until they r keyed on by opposition) then a big drop off. The brain in charge,who will be honored Friday nite for his successes over 25 years ago, has handcuffed this team. The big money boys Hank, Nash and the overpaid, old D must shine every night without much help . Without more balance scoring, either coming from the D getting involved more or the addition of another forward, this team will sink into mediocrity...Losing Stepan hurts but he is not the only answer to this teams depth issues.
Seasons have their peaks and valleys, the Rangers are still playing better than most on the board expected preseason and Miller has never been easy for the Rangers. My only problem with the officiating was when Hank got knocked down in the first, clear interference penalty and Hank was hit in the head. The Rangers seem to play disciplined in the 1st and 2nd but then take a lot of dumb penalties in the 3rd. Every announcer during the broadcast said they needed to shoot more, can't blame it all on the defense. This has been a problem all season but wasn't an issue early in the season when they were pouring the puck into the net, now the overpassing is a mindset AV can't seem to break.
IAN WALSH, ex-Philadelphia Flyer refereeing a Ranger game. Blasphemous! He should be ashamed of himself as Burrows knocked down Lundy and no call. JD30 could not be more on target. Scoring depth is a Ranger issue.
IT IS ABOUT THE O...IT IS ALWAYS ABOUT THE O WITH THIS TEAM. My lord we are not breaking new ground here. The D will be fine and get better as always...few D's are better in the NHL. The O is an issue. Depth upfront is an issue. Refusing to shoot is an issue. Same deal as always.
The D may be able to defend better but I'm not so sure they're capable of adding more O to the up tempo style. AV's style is not for them to just defend...they are a huge part of the puck possession and transition game. This roster was built for that and has no offensive depth whatsoever. Girardi and Staal are just a waste now and cant even make the first pass clean out of their zone. McDonagh is not the 2 way stud everyone thought. Yandle has one goal ! Paying your stars top money along with 2 fading D with no trade clauses has left them no room to improve up front. It wasnt an accident...Sather built this lineup. Right now, the D is part of the problem (as well as the invisible Kreider and Miller) b/c they're not performing as expected in this system. This fact does not change until changes are made up front to add a scorer. Yes they had a good start to this season but also remember we have 8 of our 18 wins are against Columbus,Carolina,Toronto and Arizona...outscoring them 31-13. Rest of games we are 10-11 (3 ot losses) vs others with GF of 50 and 47 GA....starting to look ordinary !
The Rangers are 1st in GAA. McD is on pace for 37 points. Yandle is on pace for 37 points. Staal and Girardi are not paid to score points. Is it the most explosive D in the NHL...of course not...but I truly don't think the D is an issue at all and haven't thought that all season. It is always about the O on this team. Miller and Kreider being invisible is a situation we cannot afford. If those guys don't get it going (along with Etem being a huge zero) we are f'd. I don't think it is more complicated than that. I know fans on a message board feel the need to dig deep and come up with some magic formula, but I truly believe this one is simple. We don't have enough scoring. If those guys I mentioned don't start scoring we are in big trouble. That's it. And we need to shoot more. McD, Yandle, Hayes, Brass, Zucc, Stepan when he plays all must shoot more.
BTW...while everyone in here complains about the D and acts as if it is all Hank/the goalies that makes our D look good, have you checked out Talbot's #'s with the Oilers...where he is no longer the # 1 goalie. Now we all know the Oilers are awful on D, so it isn't a 100% fair comparison, but still should tell us something. Our D is very solid and near the top of the NHL despite what you all think in here.
