Unfortunately, not too surprised by tonight. We have been playing really good teams, and rivals, and now we play a below average Buffalo team, had the potential for a letdown, especially when you add in Buffalo played very poorly last game and you figure they would be focused tonight. We were off our game and very sloppy right from the start. These are the kind of games that happen over a long 82 game NHL season. I'd expect us to play much better against Detroit.
These are the games that make me think this happens to every team in the NHL over the long-haul season. It is how you come back from these inevitable down efforts that determine the very good teams. Two teams play these games and try to win, not just the Rangers. Letdowns happen to all teams, whether we like it or not.
Buffalo played an aggressive game tonight, after the best start in team history the Rangers were due for an off night. Whatever Miller is or isn't he's +6 while Schneider is -2. I think both are part of the Rangers future, with cap restrictions don't know if they can afford Lindgren. Kudos to Will Cuylle for leading the team in hits playing 10 minutes less per game than Trouba. For all the talk about how big and strong he is Kakko still gets thrown around like a rag doll and only the Breadman does less hitting.
I don't have words for Kakko anymore. I hope he doesn't have a major injury, although it looked bad and I am concerned, but he is almost a zero. Even his fluke goal last week showed what he isn't, that is a play he should have gone strong to the net, and didn't of course, but got a lucky bounce goal. That is a guy who may just need a change of scenery. Speaking of how all teams have down games despite all efforts to avoid them, go look at Boston right now. They have lost 3 straight, and 4 of 5, allowing at least 5 goals in each. They have hit a rut I'd say. Sure they will get out of it soon, but it happens over 82. Also, Kane signed a one-year deal with the Wings, may play tomorrow night. Seems quick, but who knows.
On Miller, I don't get the hate in here. Sure, at his size you'd want him to be more physical, but that just isn't his game. And yes, he can make some sloppy low % plays, but overall the guy is really solid. He skates great, has a long reach and breaks up plays with it, plus player every season, and he adds some O. He is very good IMO, a 2nd pair dman, that maybe can develop into a top pair guy at some point. He is still very young, turns 24 in January. I think he has a bright future here.
Not worried at all .. right now the rangers are the best team in hockey points per game.. 31 pts in 20 games. See no issues going forward. miller will get it together def need a tough guy with skills Don’t know if you saw shesterkin throw his stick at boards not once but twice last night , kinda funny , hope he let his mates know they Let him down go rangers
Team used to do the same with Hank. Oh, he'll save us. It got old, quick. I said weeks ago. San Jose blows. Sturm is a beast on draws and on a better team his offense would pick up. Chytil can no longer be counted on. The reality is that Sturm can be obtained quite easily. Drury, who consistently fucks up and lets players like this go to our rivals needs to grow a pair of balls and bring him in here. Sturm's offense is at an all time low. The time to get him is now.
It's not even that he's not very physical on Miller, as you're right that's not really his thing, but he's been very erratic since the end of last year. Just needs to clean it up.
