The Knicks couldn’t catch a break with the injuries. If OG stays healthy they probably win the series. Unfortunately, they blew a huge chance to go up 3-0 in game three when they suddenly couldn’t score in the fourth quarter.
Pretty nice season for them, all things considered. Better draft pick losing in this round and maybe they swing some kind of a big move.
Please stop with the Knicks didn't have anybody left. They led 2-0, they led 3-2 (with a blowout in game 5 despite having nobody left), and they played ZERO D in this series outside of game 5. Tibs is supposed to be this amazing defensive coach, yet the Pacers scored at will outside of game 5. Today they shot 67%, that is ridiculous, especially for a coach that prides himself on D. And again, part of the reason they were beaten up is Tibs played these guys into the ground in the regular season, then even more in the playoffs. Did Hart need to play the most minutes in the NBA after Randle got hurt and nearly 48 mpg in the playoffs, nope. Did OG have to play crazy minutes in the playoffs, nope. Did Burks for example have to sit the whole Philly series instead of giving those guys some rest, nope. To me it is an absolute copout to say they had no one left and give Tibs a pass, he is part of the reason they had no one left. And even with no one left they had a 2-0 lead and a 3-2 lead. They pretty much no showed 3 of the last 4 games. They lost two straight years in the 2nd round as the higher seed with home court. Tibs is not the guy, and I don't base that just off this series, I base it off of his whole coaching career. He did a good job taking the Knicks from bottom feeders to a good solid team that is one more big-time guy away from being a legit title contender, but he is not the guy to coach them that next step. I highly doubt they do it, but if the Knicks were smart, they would sincerely thank Tibs for his very good job as the Knicks coach and go get someone else to finish the job. He only has one year left on his contract, and I would let him go instead of extending him (you wouldn't want him to be a lame duck - extend or go are the options). To me the series changed in game 6, that is why I wasn't feeling good today. Even after game 4 I said the Knicks would come out big and win game 5, and they did, but when they no showed game 6 I was very concerned and didn't feel good about winning this series for the first time. And let's realize again they lost to the Pacers, not the Celts, or Thunder, or Mavs, or Nuggets, or Wolves, the Pacers. They had no business losing this series, but they did and Tibs should be thanked, and we find a coach that can take us to the next level, and again not just because of this series, because of his whole coaching body of work, I felt he was the wrong guy for the next step well before this series.
Agreed big picture. They also have a whole bunch of picks they can trade to add the one more big-time guy they need. Rose has shown great patience waiting for the right guy and the right time, to me that time is this summer to go all in with the big move the Knicks need, and deal some of their plentiful picks to add the star they need to pair with Brunson. I am disappointed because the Knicks should have beaten the Pacers and at least had another 5 or 6 games to play and watch, but big picture I am not too upset as they were never beating Boston anyway. They were close to their ceiling for this team, now it is time to finish it off Rose.
The Knicks should’ve done a lot of things but unfortunately, none other players other than a couple stayed healthy. They need to get rid of these injury, prone players, and get somebody in there that could actually stay on the court.
Which the coach and his ridiculous playing time breakdown have some responsibility. Which is made even worse when you have players that historically are injury prone. I will agree with you on reliable players. I don't see how you can give OG a big deal this offseason, the guy is never healthy. And you cannot count on Robinson or Randle as important players. Which is why the ball is in Rose's court now to finish off this team in the right way. They have a lot of winning pieces in place, they need that one more big-time threat to pair with Brunson for the one two punch. Then guys like Divincenzo and Hart and McBride and Robinson, and maybe Randle if they don't have to include him to get the Brunson co-star, can play their roles correctly. They have the assets, and a desirable team and destination, let's see if Rose can get it done.
Good news, and the right move if it holds true for game 1: In Monday’s practice, Chytil was in the third-line left-wing position next to Alex Wennberg and Kaapo Kakko. Blake Wheeler, Jonny Brodzinski and Matt Rempe were among the extras staying late after practice, and Chytil came off with the regulars, according to Mercogliano. That seems to be a positive for Chytil’s chances at suiting up. While the 3rd line has solid underlying numbers, wouldn't' it be nice if Wennberg and Kakko could actually score some goals, maybe Chytil can help. One guy I am just about at my wits end with is Kakko, still can go in a good direction if he steps up the rest of the way though. I really think confidence and aggressiveness are Kakko's biggest issues.
Big game 7 tonight in Vancouver. While anything can happen in a game 7, no Boeser and a 3rd string goalie for the Canucks has to give the Oilers the edge. The crowd should give the Canucks a boost you would think, will it be enough though.
Vancouver is laughably inept. My god. 2 entire shots on goal in the first period. a 4 minute power play at the end of the period that was just total garbage. Seems like they have nothing left in the tank. Silovs is the only reason the game is still tied at 0.
Welp, congrats to Edmonton as they score 1:20 into the 2nd period to make it 1-0. That's gonna do it considering Vancouver has lost all creativity and intensity.
Silovs is just absolutely crushing Draisaitl. I really hope Vancouver finds some way to tie it up just for Silovs sake. He may technically be their third string goalie but he's been impressive for the most part.
Yeah, that 4-minute PP for Vancouver was one of the worst PP's I have ever seen, it was embarrassingly bad, and it was really 2 PP's. It wouldn't be fair not to give the Oilers credit for making the WCF, but they have had maybe the best road you could ever ask for IMO. In round 1 they played the co 2nd worst team in all of the playoffs (tied with the Isles after the Caps which was the worst team), and in round 2 they play the Canucks without their star goalie, and without one of their best players in game 7. That is a very fortunate path for them. I would be very surprised if the Stars didn't beat them in the WCF, I like the Stars in 6, I think they are the clearly better team, and the Oilers will face a very good goalie for the first time (although I do agree Silovs played well especially given the circumstances). In the East I like the Rangers in 6 or 7. Overall, I am 10-2 through 12 series going into the CF's. I have the Rangers winning the Cup in my brackets. We'll see how it goes.
So Vancouver finally scores a goal off a turnover. Should be interesting to see how they play the final 8+ minutes...my guess is it will look a LOT better than the first 52 minutes.
Too little, too late. That was a very poor effort by the Canucks at home in a game 7. I am not even sure they really did a lot those last 9 minutes or so, as much as they finally said let's at least get some shots on a questionable goalie. It is weird, but after the game 5-win scoring with 33 seconds remaining, they pretty much packed it up, they had 32 total shots combined in games 6 & 7, the Oilers had 56. Credit to the Oilers for stepping up their game, but man the Canucks really played with very little energy or passion until maybe you could say the last 9 minutes of the 120 combined minutes between games 6 & 7.
Now that we're down to 4 teams. I really think it's the rangers cup to lose. None of these teams scare me. Florida will be a tough series. These western teams are good teams but nothing special. I would rather play the oilers than stars.
I agree with you on all counts Step. If I ranked the 4 teams remaining, I would go: 1. Rangers 2. Panthers space 3. Stars 4. Oilers I think the ECF will be a very good tough series, where the winner will win the Cup, barring getting beat up with some injuries. I think the East has the two best teams remaining, and the Stars are better than the Oilers. From a Rangers POV, even though I think the Stars are better, if the Rangers made the SCF I would almost rather play the Stars just because I don't love the McDavid and Draisaitl matchup for the Rangers. But that is for another day, the Rangers still have the very tough task of beating the Panthers, which will be difficult. I think the Rangers are the 4th favorite of the 4 teams to win the Cup.
I think the NHL would basically kill for an Edmonton v NY final. I'd be least interested in FL v Dallas, I think that is also the least ideal matchup for the NHL/viewership. Who knows though. I think the Stars will come out on top over Edmonton. I'll prob bet a good chunk on FL over the Rangers in the series to hedge my emotional loss should the Rangers not make the finals.
