I will say something right now, this team will not go far in the playoffs with the way they cover in their own zone. I know that is unpopular to say, but sadly it will be reality IMO. They play too risky a game overall (always looking to make pretty plays) and are way too porous in their own zone to make a long run. I think they will be second round and out at best, and if they get TB or Toronto in the first round, they could be one and done again. Way too many breakdowns to be a legit Cup contender. They do not play playoff style hockey at all.
How perfect is that timing, and another guy wide open in front. This team has played virtually zero D the past handful plus of games. I know you all say you don't care, but if they get TB or Toronto in the first round, with how they play O, they will be one and done. This is not sustainable or anything close to playoff hockey, whether we want to make excuses these games don't matter or not. And for the record, they do matter.
The need to win the conference. Whomever they’d play in that 1 WC spot would run this team outta the arena in 5. They have no defensive zone structure and play way too loose with the puck all over the ice. They pass it in front of goal when the other team is forechecking. They do blind back passes when the other team is pressing high. We literally give the puck away at a ridiculously high rate. It says only 7/pg but that seems too late, especially lately. And every giveaway leads to a breakaway or a great scoring chance.
They need both of those guys to wake up or they will be done quickly in the playoffs. We know Panarin line will be fine. Mika and CK can be their downfall.
And yes, I am pissed, because I am tired of watching this crap the past handful plus of games especially where we play zero D. Do you think the Rangers have any clue how to cover the man coming in late, because as far as I can tell that guy is always wide open in the slot, so I don't think they do know how to cover that guy. I think the epidemic for the Rangers for years now is they are too pretty and do not play smart hockey. Whether it is over passing, whether it is loose in their own zone, whether it is soft on the puck, all falls under the same umbrella. The guys who frustrate me the most on O are Fox and Zibanejad. Both guys look pass first, second, and third, and don't even think about shooting or look at the net until they exhaust every option to make a low % pass. They are perfect examples of how the Rangers do not play playoff hockey. They should take a page out of Panarin's book this season, and I promise you we'd be a much more dangerous team. Cover players in your own zone, don't ALWAYS try to make a risky pretty low % play (sometimes it is okay to just get it out or get it deep), and shoot the puck more and attack the net. Until they do this they will not win in the playoffs. They better win this 3rd period, because they need to stay out of winning the Met but finishing behind the Bruins and getting TB or Toronto in round 1.
As good as breadman line has been this season they suck defensively. Zibanejad's line is the opposite. They're ok defensively but do absolutely nothing 5 on 5 all game. Just float around the ice and do nothing especially Mika. The guy has gotten so soft the last couple of years.
Happy they got the win, funny how the winning goal was actually getting the puck to the net and good things can happen. Moving forward to me the Rangers have one choice if they truly want to go on a long run, they have to tighten up and be more disciplined and structured in their own zone (right after Kreider scored the winning goal Hughes was left all alone coming down the wing as the trailer - because the Rangers refuse to cover the trailing guy). Enough with the trying to be pretty and making a play on almost every play. Play how you have to play to win in the playoffs. I really don't think the Rangers have a talent issue, sure they could use one more big dman, and maybe another forward who can score on the 3rd line (Kakko maybe getting going will be a huge plus - I think he will need to be one of the most important players on the team for us to go deep into the playoffs), but overall I think they have the talent, to me it comes down to are they committed enough to playing the smart, structured, disciplined way you need to play in the playoffs, we'll find out soon enough. Big game tomorrow night between our two closet challengers in the East, Bruins at Canes. Looking at big picture I think we would prefer the Canes winning, but since we will have the TB on the Bruins, the Canes have a game in hand on us, and the Bruins still play the Canes again and the Panthers, so they have tough games left, maybe you could make a case for it being better for us if the Bruins win and almost knock the Canes out from catching us. I'll root for the Canes though because winning the Met but finishing behind the Bruins is the worst fate for us, so let's knock the Bruins out, but it really is a coin flip since I do think with their schedule the Bruins will falter, but Boston winning is the riskier result. Maybe the biggest thing is root for the game to end in regulation so only one team gets points. I'll also add, TB is going to be tough in round 1. Looks like maybe they will play the Bruins right now, although it could be the Panthers, and I wouldn't be surprised at all if they beat the Bruins (or the Panthers). They look very dangerous to me, and Dumba and Duclair have been great adds for them.
Watching a wide angle of the fight, boy the Debs can’t fight. Goodrow peppered Bahl who is much bigger, Bahl just held on. Tierney and Marino got pounded to the ice. Lazar turtled to the ice and Rempe landed big shots against Mcdermot
Kreider's been good but Z is making too many careless plays, especially on the pp, whether he's just coasting until the playoffs or not. Hasn't had a good year overall. I still think having a kid might've thrown him off this year. With Fox, love having him but imagine how things could open up even more if he'd use his wrist shot a little more and generate at the net.
I can see game misconducts being handed out for a brawl at the end of the game but seconds in? The biggest hypocrites in the NHL, home of that gutless wonder Scotty Cheapshot, finally got their pound of flesh or more like a pounding and the Rangers sweep the series. Rangers fans have to hope that Lav's coaching will make the difference postseason and tighten up the defense.
What a crazy race for 3rd in the Met, and the 2nd WC. The Flyers have lost 5 in a row, and the Caps have lost 4 in a row: Flyers 76 GP and 83 points (28 RW) Isles 76 GP and 83 points (25 RW) Caps 75 GP and 82 points (28 RW) Pens 76 GP and 81 points (30 RW) Those four teams razor close battling for 3rd in the Met, the "winner" of that group will most likely play the Canes. On paper the Flyers and Isles have the best remaining schedules, but I am not sure that matters given how the Flyers have lost games recently they never should have lost. We'll also play a role in the finish as we have 2 against the Isles, and 1 against the Flyers remaining (we also play at the Wings tomorrow night). Add in the Wings - 75 GP and 82 points (26 RW) - and the 3 teams that don't get 3rd in the Met, and there is your battle for the 2nd WC, the team either us or the Bruins will play in the first round. Again, totally wide open. With the Bruins win at the Canes tonight, I think it is pretty much down to us and the Bruins for top seed. We will have the tiebreaker, 40 RW to 35 RW currently. If we finish 3-3 that gives us 112 points. The Panthers max is 111 points, so they would be eliminated from passing us. The Canes would need 11 of 12 points to tie us with 112 points (highly unlikely). The Bruins would need 8 of 10 points to finish with 113 points and beat us by 1 point (possible, but they have some tough games left - including the Panthers and Canes in Boston). I think we are in a decent spot, and I will say right now if we beat the Wings tomorrow night, we will be the top seed in the East. If we get 6 points out of our possible 12 that may be enough over Boston, and to really lock it down we need 8 points. With games at home against the Habs and Sens, which should be wins, that would mean going 2-2 in the other 4 games to get 8 out of 12 points. That is why I say if we beat the Wings, we will be the top seed.
