Let's get the "2nd half" started the right way. Very big game tonight. No Nash and sounds like McIlrath will be scratched as well, which I truly don't understand at this point. Chris Kreider, Derek Stepan, Mats Zuccarello JT Miller, Derick Brassard, Jesper Fast Oscar Lindberg, Kevin Hayes, Viktor Stalberg Daniel Paille, Dominic Moore, Tanner Glass The defense pairs are Ryan McDonagh and Dan Girardi, Marc Staal and Dan Boyle, Keith Yandle and Kevin Klein.
The AV joke continues. Now in the second half after his first half play is Big Mac really gonna be glued to the bench again for 10 games at a time waiting for an injury to clearly inferior at this point boyle and girardi. Boyle for sure is gone next year so don't quite see the reason for all this misplaced loyalty by our coach. Our 3rd and 4th lines are really hurting looking at the lines if Chuck is correct which I'm sure he is. Girardi I see back on the first pair which will severely limit McD's effectiveness again covering up for him. Losing faith watching AV continue to not play our best player(s) available when you already have a lacking of depth out there. That being said hope the Rangers can get off to a good 2nd half start with a win over the devs tonight.
The biggest problem with that line up is the glaring lack of scoring and in my opinion it's not even close. I disagree with anybody who looks at that line up and first points to Dan Boyle. What forwards in that group can we count on to score a big goal? The top 6 stinks, the bottom 6 stinks, the middle 6 stinks, the 4th line stinks, the whole damn forward group STINKS. Even an underachieving, contact-avoiding Rick Nash is desperately needed back in the line up ASAP. Gorton needs to get this team a forward. We could put in McIlrath all we want but if we can't score a goal it won't matter.
Dylan Mcilrath's voicemail Prod, part of the offensive problem is the defense (boyle,girardi) cannot get the puck out of their end and up ice quickly so that the forwards can mount an attack
I've made the point several times that you cannot just look at the forwards for offense, and that's especially true in AV's system as the defense is expected to begin the rush. So I agree in part. But that forward group has exactly zero players who are pure goal scorers. Zero. Kreider might be the closest thing and he's been on Mars all season. Nash has 149 shots, which is pretty good but not great considering (a) the totals for the league leaders, and (b) he takes most of them while cruising along the boards scared to go to the middle. But second is Brassard with....106!!!! Almost 50 behind! Where the hell are our wingers who put the puck on net? We dont have any and we havent had any besides Nash all season. Zucc wont shoot, Brassard wont shoot, Hayes won't shoot, Kreider shoots but misses by a mile. Miller is trying but he should not be relied on for that at this point in his career. Lindberg has hit a wall. Fast belongs on the 4th line. Glass belongs in the AHL. I cannot disagree more with someone who looks at that line up and the first thing that comes to mind is Dan Boyle. Yeah I think Dylan should be in there but I'm way, way more frustrated with Gorton right now than with AV.
I'm with you with Gorton but I think we'll be pleasantly surprised (I hope) when he finally unleashes some moves.
Why is Yashin and Kasparaitis sitting behind the ranger bench? Is Gorton thinking about signing them? LOL
One guy is approaching the status of being traded soon is Stepan. This guy is an absolute overpaid hack.
If I'm Hank I give this franchise an ultimatum. They either fire Arneil and get a competent special teams coach in here (because AV sure as shit isn't going to do it) or demand a trade because his talent is WASTED with this scrub of a coach directing the PP and PK.
2 very noticeable bad things. Stephan since he has come back has absolutely killed the power play and overtime I look up boyle is down slinking around in the offensive zone down low forcing a forward to go back and play defense. WTF
Schneider seems like he is having a vezina type of season. the reason why the devils are still in the playoff hunt.
