40 SOG and only 5 of them were threatening. If this game is an example of future games, Rangers are in trouble. And I do not see them improving.
Could have a few lean years coming if they can't do something with certain contracts and certain players don't show much growth. Limited cap space to boot really hamstrings things.
You don't give out big money deals with no trade clauses in a salary cap situation. They can sign elsewhere if they don't like it.
The Rangers had 40 shots on goal last night to the Panthers 20 and out-attempted them 70 to 37. The Rangers were 0-5 on the PP while the Panthers were 1 for 4. The Panthers also scored a goal as a direct result of an Emerson Etem turnover. At 5 on 5 the Rangers out-attempted them 53 to 24. A lot of good things happened last night IMO. The D played really well. We really did control a lot of the play as you see from the numbers. A couple of dumb plays by Etem/a slow change and a PPG against did us in. Luongo played well, but maybe 7 or so of his 40 saves were tough or semi-tough, and most of those happened in the 3rd period when we were down 3-0 and the Panthers went into a little bit of a shell. We do need a little mix-up, but I am not giving up on this team. We should look to move Yandle or Staal and add a forward that can score some goals. That would be my focus. Then let McIlrath play. And one of Klein or Girardi or Boyle can play LD. I am sure somehow they can do it. And you have Skjei as an extra if needed.
The difference though is the other team may get 17 shots vs the Rangers 30, but how many are point blank wide open on HL? Probably 50 % whereas most of the Ranger shots are from the outside. So the SOG stat in our games is somewhat misleading.
Florida's finally seeing the benefits of years of high draft picks, they are no longer a patsy. If you don't see the difference between the way Florida plays physical defense clearing the crease versus the oven mitt gang in Blueshirts we're watching a different game - they need McIlrath in the lineup. The Panthers are playing the type of hockey that wins playoff games. First goal was a bad pass by Etem but then Boyle let Knight skate right around him unmolested instead of checking him, Etem didn't make much of an effort to get back either. Second goal Staal had Trochek's stick but a lucky bounce off his leg went in, didn't like that Staal let him crash into Hank. Third goal was quick puck movement for a one timer in front of McDonough. It would have been nice to see the $8 mil man Stepan put away a layup to break the shutout The Rangers defense needs to engage opponents in front of the goal instead of trying to be goaltenders, all they're doing is screening Hank. I agree with you about not giving up on the team Chuck and rotating more players to the press box for a night or two off. I don't see the now -1 Staal getting traded so it has to be Yandle, simple business decision. Posters hating on Tanner Glass are giving Etem and Stalberg a free pass - they both suck much more than Tanner Glass.
Not many actually. The D was fine last night. You guys have gone so far beyond with the D it isn't worth debating anymore. The D was solid last night. Yeah the Panthers had a couple of chances, every team gives up some chances in a game, but the D was solid last night. The D was also solid against TB. We have simply gotten to the point where the D gets slammed in here no matter what happens, even in a game when they allow 20 shots against and score 0 goals. The 3 Panther goals were a terrible neutral zone TO by Etem, followed by a weak back check by Lindberg. A slow poor change by the forwards, and the goal went in off a Panthers leg after Hank made a save. And the 3rd was a PPG. The D was solid, but we cannot see that in here because no matter what we think they are awful.
