"Tonight was a close hockey game, but we didn't show up. We didn't play hard enough. We didn't compete hard enough. All we did was yap at the linesmen for getting thrown out of faceoffs," Gallant said. "A lot of bad things tonight."
What the F does that say about the players and coaches when you do not show up or play hard in a playoff game - especially ay home. At least he is honest, but wow. That is what you get with a team of high paid stars with fat contracts and bank accounts. Even when they do win series' and make long runs they pick and choose when they show up, when their backs are against the wall. The rinse and repeat Rangers.
"First two games, we chipped some pucks and we had the pressure coming across. Tonight, our weakside winger was a little bit lazy and he stayed on the other side of the ice and watched the play," said Gallant, without specifying any names. When asked if a lack of production from his star players was an issue in Game 4, Gallant said: "That was the difference. Definitely." "I don't really don't think there's a whole lot of panic. I don't think there's any celebration up two [wins] and I don't think there's a lot of panic now that it's tied. Like I said, it's going to be a grinding, tough series. It's what we expected," Trouba said.
Nope - and he left rebounds on shots he shouldn't have. The kid is what he is. We have really not tested him at all, and pretty much zero second or third chances. And Trouba saying it's going to be a grinding, tough series is funny. The Rangers should get that on a shirt. That's what they think every series, hence in a good spot they let up, because hey we're good up 2-0 and tied 2-2. Grinding, tough series.
Would be nice if Trouba hit the fucking net once in a while on his shots. Another overpaid guy along with Panarin.
Rangers most likely are finished. And Devils are playing the trap now, five guys back and the Rangers are too slow.
Problem with this team is the same as it's been since Gallant and Drury took over. One, this team has no identity. No system. They come out one game all east-west and don't shoot. Next game they play north-south. One game the PP is lethal. Next game it sucks. One game they come out and hit and play physical. Next game they hit nobody like last night. One game they are good on draws. Next game like last night they suck on draws. NJ plays with speed every game much like the Hagelin teams with Hank did. Boston plays the same way every game. Carolina plays the same way every game. Second, Gallant never holds his vets accountable. Panarin is a perfect example of why this team has no identity. 25% of his games he doesn't skate. 50% of his games he is all east-west and doesn't shoot. 25% of his games he plays defense and shoots. Probably half his games he takes stupid penalties. Never is disciplined by this coach. Three, Drury so far has shown he doesn't understand how to build a team with identity and fix the flaws of this team. He has had two years to get a 4th line center, faceoff stud. He hasn't done shit to get that guy. I said Jenner was the guy they needed. Even if they had to overpay. Yes, Columbus is stupid and wanted to keep their captain but guys like that are always obtainable for the right price. He could have gotten somebody else but he had to go get Kane. For one game it looked promising. Now Kane is back to sucking. The reality is that this team won't ever win a cup until one of two things happen. They get a coach that can get Panarin to play consistently to a system or they get rid of Panarin and go in a different direction. I said Devils in 5. Maybe 6 now.
Is that a cool 100 - times Mr. Titanic has bailed on the Rangers this year. That my friends is a fake fan who is very predictable. And the problem with the Rangers goes beyond Gallant's time. It is the same as the past 10 + years. A bunch of fat contract, big name, sometimes lazy stars that play when they want to, and no show when they don't. As well as the Rangers have dome the past 10 + years making ECF runs, and a SCF run the theme is the same. Pretty much every series is a grinder that goes 7, the Rangers can never play with a series lead and put it away early, they no show many playoff games, they cannot score in big spots. On and on same theme through the years. What is the common thread - not players, not coaches, the fat cat, high priced, star players who play hard when they feel like it. And it is time we tried a different approach. Less stars and more lunch pail blue collar guys. Because I am fed up with the same sh*t. And to see what Gallant said is an indictment on everyone. Imagine if you paid $400 to be at the game last night - yeah I've been there. Ridiculous. With that said, this will go 7, that is the Rangers way - no way they go out in 6 losing 4 straight - and flip a coin in game 7.
I was thinking the same thing regarding the ticket prices...SO GLAD I didn't bite the bullet and drop $400+ to watch what they did the last two games in person.
I remember the AV years, especially in 2014 when they had leads and went into a trap. It was pathetic how they started protecting a 1 goal lead in the 1st 2nd period. Eventually lost most of those games. Had leads in 3/4 games they lost to LA that year. Devils were successful because this team stopped hitting and grinding in the corners to get the puck. It was like they’ve been pussified the past 2 games. I can’t think of 1 player that played good
Let’s take a step back for a min. Despite how frustrating these two games were this is not last year where we were down 3-1 to a veteran team who had just run Igor out of the building with 2 straight 7 goal games. And even that hole was not too deep. This is still a very winnable series. That said, if they are going to win this we need some major adjustments, and we need our top guys to show up. Way too many passengers in the top 6 right now. In fact there are 6 passengers in the top 6. Can’t happen. On the PP, we cannot expect Kreider to score 2 deflection goals from in front. Schmid is much bigger and is better positionally than Vanecek. There is less open room close in for Kreider. It is obvious, and is probably one of the reasons Ruff made the switch. Passing around the perimeter and then throwing soft shots to the front hoping for a deflection is not going to work. While Schmid is good positionally, he is slow as shit side to side. Get him moving and for fucks sake GET MIKA BACK ON THE CIRCLE. His one timer is tailor made to beat a goalie of this style. Adjust. Second, get Panarin the hell away from Mika at even strength. It has never worked. I have no idea why Gallant thought it was a good idea to try it again. We need Mika and Kreider going, they have found it together before and can do it again. Third, it is not a series killer to lose face offs but it is a series killer to lose face offs and not have a structured forecheck or adequate neutral zone coverage to stop the easy exits. The Devils are getting out of their zone and going through the neutral zone like a knife through butter. It is pathetic. Need much more effort there. Gallant called out the weakside winger support and he is dead on about that. Need much more rotational support. Fourth line has been decent but needs more of a physical presence. There are still positives to take away. For playoff standards our net front coverage has been pretty good. Igor is playing great (though picked a bad time to let in his first soft goal of the series). I like the PK. But if this top 6 does not get going, it wont matter. I think they will. Let’s regroup on the extra off day, take another one in Jersey and end it at MSG.
Well written, and I agree Prod. Series not over, this is what the Rangers do. Has 7 games written all over it IMO. For Gallant to say what he said, no show and didn't play hard enough, is such a major knock on everyone, including him, but it is true. He needs to wake up also. No PP adjustments, playing Pan and Z together, list goes on as you mentioned. Gallant needs to get his S together also. This will be a test, we'll see if they pass or fail.
Still think rangers in 6. Gallant need to make changes. Get zman out of the middle and back on the circle. Make a statement and bench panerin who I think we need to move on from after this season anyway. Limit kanes minutes who looks like an old relic out there. Bring someone up like brodzinski to add some speed and hustle to the equation. Othmann and cuyyle will be here next season and for the first time I’m thinking Laf will go in a trade somewhere. If I’m wrong and rangers somehow lose this series gallant will be fored the day after we’re ousted.
The 3rd line sucks this series , LAF is invisible, Chytil can’t stay on his feet and Kakko just tries to dangle and do fancy stick work in the offensive zone.
If they fire Gallant which is possible if they lose this series, they need to have somebody in mind to take his place. Panarin definitely needs to go but he has a NMC because the Rangers are stupid. However, if they ask him to waive it he might. If not, just don't put him on the PP any longer. He'll want out then. Trading Lafreniere is not the solution. He's not the problem. For the 100th time, the Rangers have been completely incompetent the way they developed Lafreniere and Kakko. They didn't follow the simple blue print that every other team has. Also, Chytil, Zibanejad and Trochek are not centers that would mesh well with Lafreniere. The Sabres are going to have massive cap problems soon. Mittelstadt broke out this year and he's the type of center you need with Lafreniere. Said it many times. Chytil needs to be moved to wing. End of story. Dahlin and Powers will be RFA next season. You're talking about 18 million + to sign both of them. Mittelstadt will be the man out there. Panarin doesn't understand how to play, playoff hockey. He'll help a team get there but once you are there, he's a liability. Provided the Sharks would eat half his salary, Hertl is another guy I'd look at to play with Lafreniere. He's a plus faceoff guy and a good playmaker. This fourth line also sucks. It has been exposed in the playoffs. Vesey and Goodrow need to go. They need to build a physical fourth line with some speed and a plus faceoff center. Cuylle should be a fixture on the fourth line. I think the kid Edstrom will find his way there. Not sure how he is on draws. He's got a mean streak also .
Said from the beginning of the season I never liked this team as far as them making a run this year. Now I can see why. They have no identity. There is nothing to relate to as a fan base with this team. They don't always work hard. Don't always skate hard. Don't always play smart. Rarely play physical despite the fact that when they do, they almost always win. PP is inconsistent this year. As much as you can point the finger at the players and coach, it has to start with the GM.
