I don't expect to see as many defensive lapses by the Canes tonight. That first goal they gave up there was no one within 20 feet of Zibanejad when that puck was passed to him.
Sure, anyone could say their first goal was a fluke...but that had nothing to do with an uncharacteristic defensive lapse by the Canes that I don't expect to see very much of tonight.
I think this will be by far the toughest game for the Rangers in the playoffs so far. I feel this series is destined to be 1-1, but if the Rangers can get the win, they would be in a great spot and really put the Canes in a difficult position, which is why I expect an A+ game from the Canes tonight, they know how important this game is for them.
They need to play way better in their own zone and possess the puck more. I hope Rempe levels Guentzel or Deangelo
I was just reading Rempe was on for the optional skate, and stayed on ice late after practice, so that could be true. I will make two comments about that if Rempe sits: 1. This is a big risk by Lav IMO. Whether it is coincidence or not, the team wins with Rempe in there. Why fix what isn't broken. If they lose tonight Lav will take some heat. 2. If you are going to sit Rempe, why for Brod and not Chytil. Not sure I understand the value Brod adds, and why Lav would play him. Seems odd. I am really interested to see how the Rangers play tonight, when you pretty much know the Canes are bringing a big game considering they are trailing. Until the Caps series the Rangers had struggled to take two game leads in series and put their foot down when they can take control. Was that game/series a sign of a different team this year, or the weak opponent. I expect the Rangers to play well, we'll see if they do and if it is enough tonight.
That’s stupid if Lav does that. Brodzinski sucks. When he sat Rempe against the Islanders, they took runs at everybody. Yes, why fix it if it has not been broken. They won five straight. Don’t change the lineup.
I'd prefer to keep Rempe in the lineup too but if he sits it's prob because Lav thinks the risks of him getting penalties called and forcing the Rangers to play shorthanded are too high to offset what he can bring in the limited time he actually plays. Having Rempe out there didn't seem to keep the Canes playing clean/honest. As for who plays for Rempe if he does sit I am ok with Brodzinsky over Chytil. For a guy who hasn't played since November to jump into the playoffs it could be a big ask and he may not be sharp or up to speed. Despite him getting shit on a lot here and not always deservingly so, Brodzinsky has been OK this year and has shown some offensive ability and speed. He has earned/deserves a game. My order of preference...Rempe>Brodzinsky>Chytil. If the Rangers go up 2-0 then I'd say Rempe>Chytil>Brodzinsky.
What about Edstrom. The guy is an ideal fourth line playoffs player. Big strong kid can skate and defensively responsible.
I don't think the bar for Rempe should be did the Canes (or the opponent) play clean/honest, this is the playoffs, and every team stretches the boundaries. And like I mentioned, coincidence or not, the team wins when Rempe plays. That to me should be the bar, when Rempe is in their winning % is crazy good. As for Brod or Chytil, reason why it would be a no brainer to me to play Chytil over Brod, if you are sitting Rempe for some odd reason, is I just don't see what Brod adds. I don't see him bringing much value anyway, so go for maybe some lightning in a bottle with Chytil. I do agree it won't be easy for Chytil to play in a high pace playoff game after not playing for months, which is why I was a fan of playing him in game 4 against the Caps at first, but at some point, you rip the band-aid off, or just say he isn't playing if you are going to make a weird lineup change, which may be the case, he could be practicing for show. If Rempe sits tonight he sits, but like I wrote if he does sit and they lose Lav will take some big heat for that, whether Rempe would have truly made a difference or not.
Unfortunately there is a big spotlight on the kid and with that bad/questionable calls against him...we can not afford to let this Canes team get power plays...outside of D'Angelo I don't think they have a dirty player that warrants rempe to be present.
I agree with you on that, Rempe is absolutely a target of the refs, there is no doubt about it. Anything even somewhat close to a penalty will be called on Rempe. It isn't fair, but it's the way it is. Probably a combo of how he came into the league with all those fights and penalty minutes, and his size/way he plays, that has put the spotlight on him with the refs right or wrong.
