Why Rempe not in this game. Laviolette with questionable coaching lately. Of course they allowed that goal. Was there any doubt since it's shitsburgh.
Yeah Lava’s coaching sucks the past few games. Cuylle on the 4th line. Trouba back with Miller. Just plain dumb.
Well, that was a crappy period. Win or lose this game isn't going to make or break the team, but what concerns me is this is now 3 of 4 games the Rangers D has been poor, and they have been a mess in their own zone. That is a recipe for a very quick exit in the playoffs. Again, Lavy has been great this year, but I truly don't understand why he broke up Miller and Schneider. Only thing I can think of his he doesn't want to do that to the captain, and it is a huge disservice to the team. Miller and Schneider need to be together, and Jones and Trouba should be the 3rd pair. Enough with the nonsense Lavy. And while you are at it, Cuylle should be on the 3rd line over Brod. Simply put, if the Rangers do not tighten up in their own zone, stop the sloppy TO's, and they don't get scoring from the 3rd line it will be a quick exit in round 1, and certainly in round 2 against the Canes if we get through round 1.
To me this is a game where the Rangers just don't have it. There is very little energy out there. Once again, I will say, can they play one period and win a game, we'll see. At least the Panthers are losing as well, so the Rangers should stay 5 up on them, 3 up on the Bruins and Canes if we don't come back. Truth is, as I have been saying, I will not be very broken up if the Canes did pass us. My goal is top seed in the East, or 2nd in Met, that puts us virtually in the same spot playing the Caps/Flyers/Isles in round 1. And if the Flyers lose to the Isles tonight, they are in big trouble as they are falling apart and have played more games than all the teams around them. Big 3rd period for the Flyers.
Rangers got what they deserved tonight. Pens wanted this one much more, and Rangers were sloppy in dangerous spots. You could tell which team needed it to keep their very slim playoff hopes alive, and which team is locked into a solid playoff spot already. Onto the next one against the Devs Wednesday night, a game I'd like for the Rangers to win to keep the Bruins and Canes at bay. Positive is the Panthers lost, and the Isles won in OT, but gave the Flyers a point as they were unable to clear the puck twice late when they should have. Very good win by Detroit as well beating TB, who looks to be locked into the top WC spot now with the Toronto win.
The disappointing thing about tonight is if the Rangers would have won, I think you could have put the East to bed and pretty much locked up the top seed. Now it is still TBD with the Canes, Panthers, and Bruins lurking. The good news is the Canes and Bruins play twice in their last 7 games, and the Bruins also host the Panthers, so that should be good for us. We still sit in a good spot with a favorable schedule, but the L tonight keeps the pressure up. If they can finish 5-2 I think they'll be in a good place. As for 3rd in the Met, Caps/Flyers/Isles still battling. With 3 games in hand on the Flyers, and 1 game in hand and 3 up on the Isles, the Caps have the inside track, but have a tough schedule. The sane teams and Detroit are battling for the 2nd WC, and it's wide open.
Yup, onto to the NJ game. Quick math if the Rangers finish 4-3 they'll end with 112 points: Panthers would need 13 of 14 points to end with 112 points (Panthers could still get tiebreaker over us). Canes would need 11 of 14 points to end with 112 points (Canes could still get tiebreaker over us). Bruins would need 11 of 14 points to end with 112 points (we will have the tiebreaker on the Bruins, so they will really need 12 of 14 points to end with 113 points to finish ahead of us if we finish 4-3). Point is, the Rangers are still in a very good spot. Even finishing 4-3 leaves the other teams needing to almost win out to finish ahead of us (only the Canes have a tiny bit of wiggle room and can get 11 of 14 points to beat us out).
After winning 5 in a row beating Boston, Florida and Colorado a letdown was imminent. Pitt is a dirty team and with that Rangers hating buffoon Wes McCauley officiating they were lucky to get out with bumps and bruises. Lav not playing Rempe tonight was foolish, playing top lines 22+ minutes while 5 forwards logged 10 minutes or less is AV stupid. He should be resting players for postseason, nobody gives a shit about the President's trophy.
Loss 100% on Lava. His stubborn stupidity putting Trouba back with Miller and Cuylle on the 4th line is moronic. First thing all year he's done that is really dumb.
Agreed, and I cannot help but think maybe Lavy does it because he doesn't want to demote or insult the captain by putting him on the 3rd pair. Sounds kind of crazy, but I cannot come up with anything else given how Miller/Trouba weren't great before Trouba got hurt, Miller/Schneider played really well while Trouba was hurt, and Miller/Trouba have been even worse in the two games since Trouba has been back. It really doesn't add up. And the 3rd line thing concerns me. You need depth of scoring to win in the playoffs, and no doubt in my mind the 3rd line is better positioned to produce with Cuylle there over Brod. On the Pres Trophy, I don't think anyone cares about winning it, I know I don't. I do however somewhat care about our first-round opponent, and much rather play the Caps/Flyers/Isles/Wings over TB. That means we need to win the Met and finish ahead of the Atlantic winner, or finish 2nd in the Met behind the Canes. I am 100% fine with either of those results. I would prefer not to win the Met and finish behind the Atlantic winner, that would mean TB in round 1. I am not going to move heaven and earth and wear down the players to avoid TB or shut the doors and say everything is over if they do get TB, but I would prefer not to. That is my stance.
I want them to play TB 100% now after thinking about it. When you beat a team like that in the first round, it usually propels you to a deep run. You are going to play that type of team at least twice if you make the finals. Plus, them playing a wild card to me is a trap series. I'll take the bigger challenge. If they are legit, they will beat Tampa.
We'll agree to disagree on that one. We will play the Canes in round 2, and the Panthers/Bruins/Leafs in the ECF if we make it there, so we'll get plenty of tests. I much rather have the on paper lesser matchup in round 1 to get our confidence and mojo rolling (plus maybe get more rest if it doesn't go 7 and a bit easier series). Of course, if we play TB we can win, but it is clear to me what the better way to start is, and it isn't TB with a SC coach, a world class SC goalie, and 6 or 7 high level players, including one of the top dmen, Hedman, and a potential MVP, Kuch.
