They have to be willing to go in front of the net and get dirty goals. Devils are pressuring them and making them move the puck quickly (which is making this turnover prone team make even more mistakes so kudos to Lindy Ruff for his game plan) but there are opportunities if they would continue to be physical and get in front of the net. That PP goal was caused by creating traffic in front. Yes it was a “lucky” bounce but that “lucky” bounce happens because there are 2 Rangers there pressuring Graves to make a play quick and he had to rush. It would also be really nice to see a Ranger take a run at one of them after all the runs and post whistle crap that the Devils are doing. Very similar post whistle as the Canes and if the refs aren’t going to call it, then do the same shit. Force the refs hand.
The key against them is getting in deep and not letting them use their speed on broken plays and turnovers.
Let’s hope in the playoffs, the Rangers don’t fucking sleepwalk the first period like they’ve done for the last three months.
Tonight is a good game for the Rangers. I rather have them once again get a lesson on how they have to play to win in the regular season in a meaningless game than in the playoffs. And games like the one against CBJ are bad for this team, because they score a bunch of fancy goals against a crap team, and then say yeah that's the way to do it. They try it against a good structured team and get smacked into reality. That is what the 1st period was tonight. If they don't get the lesson and understand the way they win in the playoffs is North South, get pucks deep, and shoot, then they don't deserve to win. We all see it and know it. Say it over and over again. Joe said it the first 25 + minutes. They know it also. Either it gets into their thickheads this is how we have to play to win playoff hockey, not East West, fancy, soft, pass happy sh*t, or the Devs will beat them. Quite frankly the only way they lose to the Devs is if they turn the puck over again and again in the neutral zone or their own zone. They play North South and get pucks deep, they beat NJ in 6. It could still be CAR after tonight. Canes 1 up with a game in hand on NJ. Should hold on when you look at the schedule, but they have also lost 3 straight, so who knows. One thing about Kane, guy needs to man up. This oh I just want to fit in and not make waves stuff is BS. You were brought here to be a stud, not another guy fitting in. Take off the dress, and make your presence felt, even if you have to step on some toes. Man up guy.
Hits were even in the game, the Debs are not the Bruins, aside from Meier they are a small, quick forechecking team who came out of the gates fast last night. The Rangers took a period to wake up then the game was pretty even, makes a huge difference when Lindgren is out.
