That was a frustrating game for sure. Very sloppy on our part. Finally had a really bad game from Hunwick, terrible play on the SH goal and on the game winning goal, but I won't kill him because he has been very good up until last night. The next time Talbot makes a big save to bail out his D let me know. At best he is looking like an average backup, and I may be generous with that. He may be a below average backup right now. I also get on AV a little for this one. Still not sure why Talbot played last night instead of tonight. I am guessing it's because Talbot played well against the Leafs last season, but it still didn't make sense to me. The easier game is tonight, that is when Talbot should have played, not his 2nd game in our last 3 last night. Even from a schedule POV it was logical to play Hank last night and Talbot tonight. Starting tonight, for the next 8 games we play every other day (6 at home). So why not give Hank two days off, Sunday and Monday, before the game Tuesday against the Pens. Just dumb decision by AV IMO. Hank better play 7 of those 8. Let him rest Friday the 21st at Buffalo, which is game 7 of the 8, so 6 straight for Hank now is what I want. Good to see Kreider playing better though. Nash continues to be a monster. And I think we have found two really solid lines with Nash/Brass/MSL AND Kreider/Stepan/MZA. Now we need to get the 3rd line right. I personally would have Hags and Duke on the wings. A couple of fast guys who would put the D on their heels. For now Hayes at C, but I would maybe look at Miller or Lindberg to come up and C that line and let Hayes go down or watch a few games from upstairs. 4th line Glass/Moore/Stemp. I really like the Moore/Stemp part of it. Wish AV would wake up and replace the Glass part of it with Fast or Malone or anyone else really. But the 12th forward is not going to make or break us as I keep saying. So while last night was very frustrating, no way we should score 4 and not at least get a point, the good thing is we are closer to being fully healthy (outside of McD). Moore will be back after tonight (not health but still will get Kostka out) and Boyle I'd think misses tops 2 more since he has been cleared for contact. I am thinking he can be back on Thursday against the Avs. My guess is Allen comes out of the lineup over Hunwick. Even with the L last night we have gotten 12 of a possible 18 points in the last 9 games, which is solid. Now we need to come out and win tonight, and we'll be back in a good groove. Actually really want to win tonight. 2 of the next 3 against Pitt, Tuesday and Saturday. Those Pitt games are big. Considering we are 7 back already, if they win both we may say goodbye to the division by mid-November. Being 11 behind a good regular season team like Pitt is not a good place to be even in mid-Nov and only 15 or 16 games into a long season.
Agree to two lines are stout. Bottom two should be this Hagelin/Lindberg/Duclair Hayes-Moore-Stempniak Putting Hayes and Duclair with Glass like a I said will ruin their season. Glass must not ever play another game as a Ranger. He flat out freaking sucks.
I would be fine with either Lindberg or calling up Miller and giving him a shot with Hags and Duke. We are wasting Duke playing with Glass. If we are going to do that might as well send him to juniors. Call up 1 of the 2 guys, Lindberg or Miller, and let them C the 3rd line with youth and good speed with Hags and Duke. Give it a shot. I like your 4th line a lot, but I just don't see AV benching Glass...sadly. And please pick better spots with Talbot for his 17-20 starts...tonight was his game not last night.
Like AV as a coach a lot. However, he's made two huge mistakes this year already. One, putting Glass on this team with Sather from day one. Two, banishing Miller instead of coaching him through his stupidity.
Two ridiculously poor calls on Allen and Hagelin turned the momentum in the game early but the Rangers had plenty of time and missed opportunities to put the game away. Tony D needs to get back and play some defense, hopefully a learning experience from his slow reaction. I think Hayes looks better and more comfortable with every game, just needs to put the puck in the net. For some reason AV loves Glass & hates Miller, I would love to see JT up and Glass down or healthy scratched but he's far from the worst player on the ice, Kostka has that title wrapped up. He is utterly useless, Allen IMO is better than Kostka, Hunwick, or Moore. I like how he moves people out of the crease and has more offensive talent. That being said I'm sure he'll be sent down promptly by AV when Boyle and Moore are available - damn shame. I agree about Talbot too, he has stunk this year - too many softies already.
Kostka is terrible, but he's our 9th dman for a reason I guess. He has one more game to play tonight until Moore takes his spot next game. Then the question becomes who is the odd man out when Boyle returns in two games or so. Staal, Girardi, Klein, Boyle are the locks. Moore I think will end up playing. So that leaves one open spot for Hunwick or Allen. To me let the best man play. Outside of last night Hunwick has been really good. Allen adds some O. With 2...maybe 3 more games until Boyle is back I make the decision when I need to. Either way those guys should be our 6th and 7th dmen when Boyle is back. And honestly, when McD is back I think our D looks really good and deep. Staal, Girardi, and Klein have all really been playing some strong hockey. Add in Boyle and McDonagh. Then of the Moore, Hunwick, Allen group we only need one, so that's a good place to be I think. If nothing else this run of injuries (and Moore's suspension) have really shown we have some quality depth on D, and that should pay off later in the season. With Stepan back, if we can just get the 3rd line worked out I think we'll be in a really good spot.
I agree Hunwick's play has been surprisingly strong aside from last night but Allen is bigger, stronger & younger. To me J. Moore should be odd man out, he was disappointing to say the least last year and seemingly the same this year. I would put Kostka behind McIlrath on a depth chart, he could at least be a little more physical with his size. Three other teams have already come to that conclusion, hope it doesn't take AV too long to figure things out.
The lapses on D really are something else. I will assume that once Kostka is out of there and once Moore and Boyle are back this upcoming week things will get better, but it is very concerning to see the mistakes we make in our zone. Anyway you slice it, having Kostka out next game is a plus. Being able to only have two of Moore, Hunwick, and Allen in there later this week is a plus. Then down the line only needing to have one of those guys in once McD is back is a plus. Allen, Moore, Hunwick are all 3rd pair guys, so it will be nice to get some depth back soon. We need it with this soft D zone coverage.
Whats up 31 - Took a long break from the board but will post more now. Good to see the regulars on here. BTW this team sucks right now LOL But will get a lot better
