When I say reminds me of Vancouver I mean game plan wise, not talent or skill wise. AV's game with Vancouver was to try and win games 6-5 with focus on offense and not on defense. Those Vancouver teams gave up a TON of shots, and high quality chances. Same as this team. Difference is, like I stated earlier and you did, this team does NOT have an offense to score 6 goals to win a game.
I don't fully agree with that. I do think AV wants his teams to be aggressive and push it, which I am fine with. It has worked here for the past few seasons. After 24 games I am not going to say it won't work this season. Rangers aren't playing with any passion or want right now IMO. Happens in a long season. To me it will still come down to Miller, Etem, Hayes, and Kreider. If those guys don't get going, at least 3 of them, we will be in trouble. I think the D will get their act together at some point this season, because I think that is about them stopping the low % plays and getting back to playing the right way...and that will happen IMO.
Well here's our first REAL slump. Lost 3 in a row, 4 of last 5 (only win was against a bad Florida team). AV needs to get this team refocused. There needs to be better play in the defensive zone. Then transition that into offense. We've lost that ability to counter attack the past 5 games. We struggled most of the year with shots against and quality chances given up, but we were at least able to counter quick and score. Right now, we are getting forechecked off the puck easily, losing one v one board battles, and making lazy passes along the boards and not stretch passes down the ice. All things we excelled in last year. ***edit this for win was against Nashville who has been slumping. Will leave as Florida so if quoted original mistake shows.***
The big difference to me between this year and last year is forechecking. The lack of ability to get a good one going and the lack of ability to handle an opponent when they do.
What's funny is we have this magical image of what last season was. Through the first 1/2 of December we were AWFUL. Our D struggled. We allowed MANY more goals against than we have up to the same point this season. People were calling for Cam over Hank (some saying Hank was starting to lose it a little). Then we got red hot in mid/late December and away we went. Now we act as if we are doing things we haven't done in years through 24 games...and that is funny to me. Doesn't mean we will do what we did last season, but does mean we should keep some perspective on things and realize over 82 LONG grinding games down periods happen...is what it is.
At the end of the day I think we can all agree on this...we need to play much better, and harder, and passionate, and stay true to the system and simply tighten up our game from top to bottom. Good thing is there's a LONG way to go...so time is on our side.
I've seen McIlrath throw more big hits in 2 games than this candyass defense combined in the last 2 seasons. So, that is a plus. Still say making a strong effort to bring back Pouliot at half his salary is key. I think Boyle if told he isn't going to play here any longer will go there. Especially, with the excitement of McDavid coming back who just started to get rolling before he got injured. Pouliot brought a lot of edge and size to the team. He also was a very good skater for his size.
Glad to see big mac play and pretty well these last 2 games. His physical presence was on full display. While protecting a cheapshotted teammate needs to change strategy and wait a shift or 2 before destroying whoever the culprit is so he doesn't get the instigator or the misconduct penalties. I hope I see him play again before X-mas.
