Hank hung out to dry in this one and they were lucky to get a point. Hank and the gritty guys carry this team. The so called stars are too often invisible.
Very lucky to get a point. They're going nowhere with this turnover factory on defense. Dumb penalty by Kreider with under 10 min costs them and Shattenkirk with an awful TO on the 2nd goal.
Here is how I view the Rangers. They have talent, I think that is clear. Hank is playing at a very high level, so they always have a shot to win any game. But with all that being said the team is just too loose and sloppy and turnover prone and undisciplined and frankly unstructured in their own zone to be a real serious big threat to win a cup. Hard to see this team beating the top teams in a 7 game series with all the crap play in their own zone. But it is a shame they cannot get it together in their own zone, because this is a talented team, and they have Hank in goal.
I guess we're stuck with Smith/Staal through at least the end of the year but for them not to at least address Holden is either blind or negligent. Kampfer was even outplaying him and he hasn't played in awhile. Shattenkirks play outside the offensive zone is really a big problem, he needs to get it together. Hard to see them holding onto a playoff spot without adding a dman and probably another forward.
Why would it be hard to see them hold onto a playoff spot? Since their bad start, they have barely loss any games in regulation. I think you will see Gorton swing a deal where they package Smith, DeAngelo and a prospect for a more sound defensive veteran d-man.
Yeah, I think they will be a playoff team, but looking at how deep the Met division is does mean they will have to continue to play really well to be assured of a spot. To me it's the playoff series against the best where they would be exposed big time in their own zone. Regular season games this team has enough talent and Hank to get points. Another comment on the D, when Holden is your 1st pair RD you have some issues. He is a solid 4th or 5th guy. Playing him with McDonagh is way over his head and is being done out of "necessity". It is not a long term sustainable solution. Early on I thought this team needed a forward, but now I think it is a dman to pair with McDonagh. Upfront they could use one of those vet 3rd line grinder faceoff winning C's at the DL. But on D they now have a bigger need given how awful Smith has been.
Again the Rangers get a point as a result of just throwing the puck at the net, the Debs outplayed them. The Rangers roster isn't built to out physical a team like the Debs, AV's style is to beat physical teams with speed and to his credit many offensive chance are created. The downside is when the Rangers dmen can't get the puck out of the zone quickly glorious scoring chances are created and Hank has to stand on his head. Shatt's defensive ineptitude is so unbelievable, I don't remember him being such a turnover machine on the Caps or Blues.
