Better game. Howden continues to impress. Hank has been on his game. Too many odd man rushes but they found a way. Zibanejad has his head up his ass to start the year as well as Hayes, Those 2 need to pick it up.
I personally stick by what I said earlier. Chytil should be in the minors and Andersson should be on the team along with Hajek. Staal at this point should be in the minors.
Lundqvist has been excellent so far and with Howden you can just see the hockey smarts he has. Great play by Buch and Smith on the tying goal. Hayes and Zib definately need to get moving a little.
They have this freakin love affair with Chytil. Andersson is a much more complete player at this point. Chytil needs to be playing 20 minutes a night for another 50 AHL games. DeAngelo struggled some last night. Zibanejad and Hayes are sucking it bad. Right now the only reason the team is competitive is Hank and Howden.
I haven't seen this type of energy and excitement from the Rangers in a long time. At times it felt like a playoffs game. It seems like players are buying into the system. I noticed if you don't win board battles, then you don't play. Quinn cuts playing time. For years, I could not watch them defend by standing around like rocks, now they limiting time to make a play for opposing defenseman, especially when D is on the blue line. I don't think individual players matter right now, I don't care if they play Anderson or Chytil. I wanted them to come together as a team. Lundqvist looks amazing and energetic. He was deflated the last couple of years.
Loved seeing Shatt sat, he's either hurt again or fat and happy with his paycheck, hopefully a wakeup call, other vets should follow. As an ardent Hank critic I'll give credit where credit's due but it's very early. I don't think Chytil's going anywhere and after taking an uncalled head shot to the chops, most 19 year olds would take the rest of the night off. Filip's a gamer. I can see Andersson up here soon if guys like Lettieri and Namestikiv don't get going. Howden was a great pickup by Gorton. Staal has to go, at least to the pressbox. Go Rangers!
We're definately in for some firewagon hockey at times with some youngsters and a pourous group of dmen. For the most part so far they've kept it structured. Who knows where it goes with Shattenkirk, you'd think he'll work to get it together but it may be tough for him defensively.
Shattenkirk doesn't grasp the concept to protect the front of the net. He's constantly chasing the puck behind the net like a moron.
