The Kings don't panic, and they make it that much easier for Quick to make the saves. The Ranger defense, while I think they are good, are suffering from inexperience and are making to many mistakes, to many breakdowns and Hank suffers because of it. Getting a win might do wonders for their confidence ... we will see.
Hank had a great game tonight, no doubt. But he was outplayed by Quick the previous 3 games, defense or no defense. Quick made the ridiculous game changing saves, and Hank just didn't come up with enough of them. (Yes, I know many were deflected.) That said, if Hank is now in the zone, look out. I don't think too many would disagree with what many were saying before this series started - for the Rangers to win, Hank would have to be at the absolutely top of his game. He wasn't in games 1-3. He was in game 4. And this series is far from over is he gets into the zone where he's virtually unbeatable.
Have to bring this series back to the Garden, and that will take an all out effort from the entire team. We shall see
The Kings dmen take the body instead of dropping to a knee to screen their goaltender. They also look to initiate contact instead of using the inept one handed poke check ole.
That's the biggest problem with the Rangers and why Lundqvist gets completely assaulted by pucks and wide open chances every single game. They don't take the body nearly enough. Constantly just reaching with the stick.
Stralman and Girardi are tops in the league when it comes to taking a knee. On that great goal by Doughty earlier in the series, after Doughty got by Dorsett, Stralman just dropped to a knee like he was about to listen to Coach Al give a pep talk. All that does is 1. give the opposition more room, 2. screen Hank so he can't see shit, and 3. increase the chances of the puck deflecting off your skate/hand/stick/face/anything right into the net. There's a time and a place for dropping down, and it's not when you're 1 on 1 right in front of the net.
They just have alot of "power" to their game with their overall stick length, which makes it tough to get pucks deep. That's what the Rangers need more of going forward to balance out their small speedier lineup. Especially down the middle.
For all the crap some have given Stralman this year, he's been their best dman in the playoffs. He's better all around than Girardi is.
