His loyalty to vets coughGlasscough is a HUGE problem. Someone needs to tell him it's ok to bench vets and drop useless players like Glass to help the team. I still can't get over the Stoll waiving though.
I don't think Boyle's worried about McIlrath i think he's just stepped it up lately. It's Staal that might want to be looking over his shoulder though i don't think McIlrath is an answer.
Stalberg and Moore played well tonight...give them credit as well. Good solid win. Not perfect, but I think we played well overall and outside of the 5 PP's TB had our D was pretty tight. Good to see. To me this terrible streak started at TB...maybe it will end tonight at TB.
Your McIlrath hate is funny 71. He played well when given the chance. Have to be fair. He isn't some stud yet and is still learning, but he played well. Gives me hope that when he takes Boyle's spot next season we will be in good hands.
I also agree on Stoll 94. That pissed me off and still does. When we have only Moore to win a FO we will miss 57% FO winner Stoll. That move angers me.
Good defense leads to offense. Probably the best defensive game we've had in a while. PK needs to clear the crease better. Other than that, probably the best overall game we've played in about a month.
We'll see, i don't hate the guy and he has held his own in limited action but the jury is still out long term for me. I've upgraded from 'bust' so that's progress.
Oh you hate him...and that's okay.... Yeah...the jury is still out for sure. He is not a given after 20 games +/-, but he played well and gives you real hope that he could be a solid dman for us moving forward.
Hope so and he makes me eat my words, as he seems like a hard worker and good kid. Plus the fact that we now have to worry about what to do with Staal and possibly losing Yandle to FA.
Agree 100% that the 4th line had a tremendous game tonight and were difference makers. Moore was tough on the forecheck all night and idiot Glass played a hard game. Staal played a notch or two better but can be better. Girardi mehhh! Miller continued his strong play finishing checks and working his ass off. On the other hand, still a big zero from Stepan and Kreider
What I liked was AV finally scratching Hayes. I like moving Miller up with Brass and Zucc...I think that could be a good fit. I like playing Nash with Stepan. And I also like moving Kreider down to the 3rd line with Lindberg and Etem. Those are some things I liked tonight.
Regarding McIlrath, you're way off base if you think this kid doesn't bring something to the table this team lacks. Watching his play last year in Hartford and the few pre season games he played, he has improved immensely. He no longer runs around in his end looking for the big hit. He plays a tough game along the wall and in front of his net. He has learned that he doesn't need to fight everyone. Just watch McD and Staal get pushed around lately and you see what this guy brings. His confidence soared in his short stint. If the league-wide way to get to Lundqvist is to bump and screen him just like Nashville did all game, the kid has to play more. I'll guarantee you the brave forwards who try that shit will be put on thier ass and think twice. Maybe, just maybe, he'll help some of his teammates play a little braver as well !
With all due respect i totally disgree that teams will change their strategy because dylan is on the ice. If anything you push the limits more and hope you get him off the ife for at least 5 minutes at a clip. Sent from my SM-G920P using Tapatalk
You've been wrong on McIlrath from day one Al. You and a lot of thickheaded Rangers fans did nothing but bash this guy and call him a bust. Lamenting not talking Fowler who sucks and is a glorified version of Tom Poti. McIlrath should be playing over Girardi at this point.
McIlrath should not be playing over Girardi. What he should be doing is playing over everyone here and there giving G a rest, and Staal a rest, and Klein a rest, and Boyle a rest, and Yandle a rest. That's what should be happening. Not simply bench G and play McIlrath. And I think that will happen some as we move forward. Fans are fans and we live in he right here and right now of this second. There is A LOT of hockey left to play this season, and McIlrath will get his gameS. I really like the way Mac played during his recent stretch and he deserves PT for sure, and it gives me hope that he will be a solid dman as we move forward into next season when he will be a lock in the top 6. But for now during this season his role should be to give all the dmen rest (someone on this D can play LD for a few games when Staal gets a break). I don't think the smart play at all is bench G and play McIlrath period. The smart play is to give all the dmen some rest by rotating McIlrath in for them.
I said that from the beginning. However, the reality is this team is now fighting for a playoff spot and Girardi has had his head up his ass all season. You can't afford his incompetence any longer. You play the lineup that gives you the best chance to win and that ain't Girardi.
I disagree a little. To me Girardi has not been great for sure, but outside of the couple of games he was awful in before his injury break I think he has just been whatever. Certainly needs to play better, and can play better, but he hasn't been bad outside of those couple of horrific games. He has been whatever...average give or take. Staal on the other hand has been bad all season IMO. Got beat to the outside with speed a few times last night as well. If we were talking about a dman that needs a couple of games off I think Staal is that guy before Girardi clearly.
The issues I have had, and will have, with AV is giving some of these dmen rest. Why did he wait this long to scratch Hayes. He needs to step up his discipline IMO. Hayes should have been scratched 2 weeks ago. Staal needs to be scratched next. Giving these guys too long a leash/not giving players a rest game here and there AND playing Glass are my AV issues.
