I know it's tough to get on him but Shesterkin cannot give up two goals like that in a huge game. The first he was screened so it evened up the crazy goal Vasilevsky let in. There's no way you can allow that second goal.
I don't know yet about others but Strome can 100% get the fuck out of here. You can literally put together a highlight reel on the amount of open nets he misses or how many times he's off balance and not ready to shoot.
LOL. Bro I forgot about that debacle against buffalo. After that Drury goal, I broke a lot of things in my house.
The only goal I can remember the rangers scoring very late in a pivotal playoff game in the last 15 years is Richards against the caps. That's pretty much it. All the other goals have been against.
Blaming the goalie is moronic. This team can't score more than 1 goal now. They have given up multiple sh goals this playoffs.
It's a game thread. Of course two goals tossed at the net that managed to go in will be discussed. That said the blame goes all around but credit also has to be given to the championship team on the other side.
Thats my thought too. TB has tremendous experience and success in the playoffs. They know how to win these types of games and have found a way these last 3 games to get it done. Have to give them credit for responding. The Rangers play their best as the underdog. They have one shot to left and it will be a character building experience trying to find a way to win on the road. Players need to elevate their performance to make it happen.
Unfortunately, while they got further than we could've hoped I think this is the end of the line. I hope they shock me but I see them going on pretty easily tomorrow night. Just too much not happening and that includes their inability to do much at even strength.
Team went stale and when there are chances to bury them they don’t do it. Those goals Igor let in were screens. Hard to get on him for them when he made a ton of saves to prevent the game from being 4-0 Lightning. Man I thought they would win he cup this year after Game 2. Leave it to the Rangers to hit the breaks in the middle of a series
TB is legit. They can match us in goal and have a great team full of experience, which is showing. We are also seeing fatigue from the 2 7-game series we had to play while they are fresher from having over a week to relax on the beautiful TB gulf coast. Regardless of who which team makes it to the final, i don't see either NY or TB beating Colorado. The times i've seen them play in this playoffs they are a monster and Makar/MacKinnon are animals. Kuemper was backup in Gm 4 so he'll be ready to start and may get Kadri back by then too.
Drury obviously will have further work to do with this roster. You need guys who know how to win in the playoffs.
Another tough loss, the way Strome played I would have rather had Reaves and his 8 or 9 minutes just to stop the end of gamer bs. TB has a great team and the league bends over backwards to accommodate them so it was a tall challenge coming in. Strome has put up good numbers for the Rangers but he is useless postseason, Copp has been disappointing too but I'd keep him over Strome. I dress Reaves only to prevent the bs that Tampa will do. I hope you're right Struds, a game 7 at the Garden would be great for ratings.
I think it is time to move on from Strome. He performed well here overall, and exceeded expectations when we got him for Spooner, but he is limited and it is time. To me the action item list is - a legit # 2 C is needed, a LD upgrade for the 3rd pair to play with Schneider (could be another kid), I'd re-sign Copp and Motte, and what to do with Chytil (I'd deal high). That's how I see it.
Colorado has no chance vs. Tampa. They would have lost to St. Louis if their starting goalie didn’t get hurt. Kadri most likely is done for the playoffs. If Point comes back, Tampa wins easy. Colorado's goaltending is average and their team defense still sucks. Edmonton was awful in that series and it was more them than the Avs.
All the acquisitions are good. Vatrano is a top 9 guy who plays with an edge. I like how he’s played this series. Motte is a great 4th liner and can play in the playoffs, def should resign him. Copp is good, tailed off a bit but was good the first 2 series. I like Braun but he’s an expendable 6th dman. Hard to see them getting any of these guys at the right price, especially since teams are watching them play in the ECF
The biggest thing is the Rangers let Kucherov and Stamkos take over. Not only from their obvious talent perspective but also physically and psychologically.
We tried to tell people all season that you had to get Kakko and Lafreniere more developed especially on a power-play and now you’re seeing how right we were because Panarin’s game does not translate to the playoffs. Unless he’s hurt which I don’t believe.
