The type of game you take the 2 points and get out of town. Not a pretty performance, and 2 of the past 3 games the Rangers have played zero D, but hopefully that is just due to where they are in the standings. Need to be careful though as you don't want these bad habits taking hold, and then you play poorly when it really matters. Inch closer to top seed in the East, which is the best place to be going into the tournament, and then you go from there. Side note: I still think Miller and Schneider should stay together.
You do realize Quick has been great this season, right? Came into the game 5th in GAA and 6th in SV% in the whole league. But he did have a somewhat down game so...and oh BTW the Rangers played like zero D in front of him tonight.
He has had a lot of down games in the last three months. I would love to see his numbers since the all star game. Not sure why they resigned him for another year as Garand should start getting some starts. Igor’s contract is going to be ending after next season. I agree the d was atrocious in front of him because guess who is back?
it is about fking time they put effort into developing Lafreniere. Glad it finally happened and paid off.
One of the positives is lafrenier has become a player. Imagine him busting out this organization would be in trouble. Kakko is what he is now a third liner role player who can at least put up 40 points if he stays healthy.
Totally agree, need to win the Cup for this to be a truly successful season. I will add, in order to have any good feelings about this season they need to at least make the ECF. Interesting results tonight. Flyers falling apart losing their last two games at Montreal (last in the Atlantic) and home against Chicago (2nd to last in the whole NHL). Meanwhile the Caps only got 1 point in their last two games, but they were at Toronto and home against Boston. So, gaining a point on the Flyers, which ties them, while also still having 2 games in hand, is big for the Caps. The Flyers still have an easier schedule left, but they are not playing well, and the Caps have 2 extra games left as mentioned. I think you have to give the Caps a little edge for 3rd in the Met, which means they would play the Canes. Leaving us to play most likely the Flyers or Wings, outside shot we could play the Isles. Isles and Flyers play in Philly on Monday night, huge game for both, loser in regulation would be in huge trouble. I'll also add, I do not envy whichever team Panthers or Bruins has to play TB in round 1. A huge reason why holding onto the top seed in the East is very important. Play TB or the Flyers/Wings, longshot the Isles, not close as TB is far and away better than those other teams. TB is very dangerous IMO.
Good thing they didn’t bring back Kane. Some of it has to do with Laf finally getting into shape and working on his skating in the offseason
Lafreniere doesn't play at all on PP1. I think a big part of his growth is on him improving his skating and his shot. Playing with Panarin and Trocheck helps him for sure, but he still doesn't really get PP time. He looks like a much more complete and confident player. He is only playing 2 MPG more than last season, with very little PP time (3 PPG's last season only 2 PPG's this season so far). I think this is about him getting it, and I give him 90% of the credit for working hard and improving and taking advantage of his shot. Now if Kakko could only get some confidence and shoot more we'd be onto something. Since I think depth and scoring from the 3rd line is huge in the playoffs, I think Kakko will be a very important player for us in the playoffs, if he can add that secondary scoring, we will be very dangerous, if he doesn't, we might be short upfront with only 2 major lines. He will be key IMO.
The problem is Kakko needs a center who can get into dirty areas and retreat the pucks and get them on net so Kakko can crash the net and play more straight forward game. Chytil was the perfect center for him. Wennberg is a smart solid player but after watching him now for a while, he is not the guy who can consistently get pucks to the net. He is so allergic to shooting and he plays a lot on the perimeter because he is so defensively responsible.
