Carp is going to be writing his own review today, which saves me the trouble (not that I was going to anyway). UPDATE: Carp’s review can be read here
If they had that effort over the last 5 periods, we would be no worse than 3-1 and maybe even we would have had the sweep.
Just two things I wanted to quickly mention. First, Rick Nash had what was most likely his best playoff game as a Ranger and his entire career. This is what he looked like in 2013 before being concussed. The play in the offensive zone didn’t start like that. A 2 on 1, he pulls up near the top of the zone to lay it off for the trailing Stepan, who was caught by Pacioretty, thus completely negating the chance. I groaned loudly (to nobody) when I saw that. But that was it. After that, he went to the net hard and often. First, he took the interference penalty, which was the right call, but I still liked to see him do it. However, he remained undeterred and continues attacking the net, including on his goal. More of that, please.
Second, Buchnevich looked like he belonged. He even looked like he sparked Kreider and Zibanejad a little bit. Both of the latter two still weren’t good enough, but were much better. The only glaring mistake was the turnover after the extended shift in the offensive zone. He looked gassed as they even entered the zone. I actually said the words (again, to nobody) “just don’t turn it over” mere moments before he turned it over. Otherwise I thought he was very good.
I’ll save the rest for Carp. HAV at it.
Actually one last thing: vote totals improved slightly, but are still are about half of what they should be. Come on! You can do it!
My Three Rangers Stars:
- Rick Nash
- Ryan McDonagh
- Henrik Lundqvist
Your Three Rangers Stars:
- Rick Nash
- Henrik Lundqvist
- Ryan McDonagh, Brendan Smith (tied)
213 responses to “Rangers 2, Canadiens 1”
Compliment, of course!
Man, the addition of a bit of snarl to Nash’s and McDonagh’s game is awesome.
Hernandez accidentally spilled a drink on his own shirt, so he was obligated to kill himself.
Much better performance (and value for the money) at MSG last night. Place was rocking, although still with silly white towels…
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Oscar plays a great north-south game, really sharp on his edges; best center this series. Can’t let this guy go to Lost Wages.
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Mr Smith is worth the picks; 2nd best D-man on team; has a game for April/May.
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Did the lineman get the second assist on the Habs’ goal?? That was BS.
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McCapt’s play spoke volumes. Really making some great plays all over the ice.
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Nash could of had 3. Needs to remember where he scored from – the blue area! Great goal. Price gets the Emmy for that call on the first one. Nash might as well gone full Kreider on him and jammed his knee into his mask.
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Step is even slower live. Played his heart out, just doesn’t have a 3rd gear.
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Rangers in 6.
LGR!
Seems fishy to me that he would do it after beating the additional double murder charge. But he’s clearly not a stable individual, so who knows.
Count me firmly in the “trade Stepan” camp. His contract is a liability.
As ilb said, and I have said repeatedly, last nights lineup is there best lineup. For those worried about Grabner and the 4th line, there minutes were plenty.
Always been a huge fan of Step for a lot of the same reasons as Fast. I love smart players. That said, I’m starting to come around to the idea of trading him as well.
From a distance, always liked Step as a human bean, but once he started blathering and bloviating nonsensical pap to the Press every night after another (personally) poor to middling performance, a la Richie Rich, he lost my backing.
Have always been a Stepan fan. Also starting to become part of the trade Stepan camp.
Fact never stated: We are a speed team, and both Step and Hayes impede that speed.
I found this video on facebook. It is from April 12, 1980 as the Rangers eliminated the ATLANTA Flames. It is historic for two reasons: 1) It was the last game of the Atlanta Flames as they moved to Calgary the next season 2) At about 21:40 on the video the Rangers scored a playoff PPG – and they “seem” to be waiting to score their next playoff PPG 🙂
Carped!
And I’m not reposting.
AV is going to have to keep this lineup intact, that’s their best ticket to win. Maybe shorten his bench at the end, but this the lineup he needs to keep playing.
Smith looks like as steal….But we are not talking about the offseason plans yet.
Doodie, agree on both Nash and Buchnevich.
ilb – I get the impression that Smith gained AV’s long-term confidence last night by showing extraordinary discipline (a la Glass) in the face of multiple evil cheap shots.
Yes, hope his wrist is ok.
Ho many of you would love to Gallagher on our team? Count me in.
Man, if our #20 played like little Gallagher, he’d be headed to the HOF.
How bout Brendan Smith earning his bones last night? And by earn I mean probably having one fractured. Onions game by #42. Radulov is a trash bag btw.
It appears there must be something wrong with Kreider either between the ears, or between him AV. He has always been a force in the playoffs now not so much. Maybe AV told him no more swimming in the pool!
JamesG- did you X-ray him? 🙂
Agreed that the lineup last night was what it needs to stay. Brought the best out of just about everyone and seemed to give Hayes and Miller a little pep. 6 straight periods of that kind of hustle and snarl and they’ll be in the second round. That being said let’s hope for team Jekyll and not team Hyde for game 5..
LOL didn’t have the privelege ILB but I think I screamed at the TV “that’s an X-ray later on now tape it up and get back out there!”
Much of this series has been old time hockey with the exception of the officiating. Gotta love it but man some of these guys are collecting some impressive lumps so far
Game 3: Stepan loses the opening draw, Montreal goes on the attack. Tone’s set
Game 4: Hayes wins the opening draw, Rangers go on the attack. Tone’s set.
Probably simplifying it. But I think the start is crucial.
Good morning. Finally a good night’s sleep after at NYR game. Not perfect but certainly seems to be the minimum level of intensity/game play necessary to beat Les Habs Terribles. As to Buch – shaky first period, couldn’t hold a pass and one really bad turnover but credit that he came out in the second and played much better from that point on. Surprised that Habs were so gentle with him, expect a bit more punishment next game. In any event, we got the upside of Buch last night in a game we really needed.
Some times I think what guys are out there late in the game is as much a matter of fate and the flow of the game (stopages, etc) than a coaching decision. But was glad that for whatever reason, we saw less of Step and Staal
very good crowd last night…..although extremely cranky and on edge in first period
Frankly didn’t notice Butch much out there and obviously the PP didn’t score so not so sure about the most talented lineup being the best playoff lineup. The 4th liners have 1/2 of the PO goals scored.
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Kreider was much more engaged last night on forecheck had a great pass across to Zucc in 1st who decided to not shoot on the rush.
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Haze has some very bad habits with and without the puck. The more I see him in the POs the less I like.
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Miller on 4th with Oscar and Fast would create more O chances than any other line.
Wtf is this? lol I guess old fedora stank like old dirty balls
http://doinow.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/04/nashhat4.jpg
I am going to go all Brendan Gallagher on the Rangers if they keep:
1. Gaining the blue line and then curling at the top of the circle. If last night’s game proved anything, the Rangers need to drive to the net with the puck – just make sure you aim for the top of the crease, not the middle of it.
2. Passing up shots, especially on odd-man rushes (this means you Zucc, among others).
3. Forwards need to stop hanging out at the side of the crease because there are plenty o’ loose pucks at the top of the crease.
Ranger fans must realize that if the officials can’t count to six, they are not going to give the Rangers any breaks on calls. Last night’s officials need to be suspended a game for missing both teams having too many men on the ice. One more thing, if the official want to get involved in the play give them a stick (s).
Also, memo to Sam and Joe, letting Carey Price play the puck isn’t always bad thing if done correctly. Goalies would can handle the puck tend to over play the puck at times. If you dump the puck behind the net, pressure him from the back side (yes, I wrote back side) with one winger and have the other winger jump the wrap around attempt. Keep the center in the middle of the ice high to prevent a free outlet pass and you might get a turnover. Also might be worth the Rangers while to do that a couple of times in a row and then fake the dump and put the shot on net. It probably won’t work, but it might be enough to force Price to delay going behind the net for pucks.
“Coach, I have to go to the bathroom.”
Torts: “Plenty of time to go to the bathroom when you’re dead. Get back out there.”
I’ve fully converted to NBCSN for this series. I didn’t realize how much I dislike salmon Joe until I heard good commentary (which NBCSN also usually deprives us of). Sam is still acceptable, although his eyes are gone and they make him shill a little too much. In any event, he’s got enough good will to be untouchable in my books. But Joe, holy crap, I wish he would just go away and never come back.
Wasn’t there a rumor a few years back that the Habs were hot for Nash, and were offering up Pacioretty, Gallagher, and a prospect?
When Brad was young, they called him Prospect Park.
Smith is a keeper..took alot of abuse due to the idiots in stripes and did not retaliate due to situation..what i really like about him is that he will get even later this series when the time is right.
Smith was garbage all season long. He has four good games and everyone is ready to commit to the guy long term. What could possibly go wrong!?
If Stepan, Kreider, Miller, Haze and Mika decide to show up… and Zuccarello attempts makeable passed or shots on his odd man rushes…Rangers have a chance (as long as Hank continues to stand on his head)
The best part of the t00-many-men: Watching the Canadiens skate across their bench in the high-five ritual: one. two. three. four. five. six. Refs, to each other: Should we do anything about this? Hilarious!
Park Ranger
Don’t think Smith has been anything close to garbage and solid since joining team – if this price is right they should bring him back
Ranger Rick
Weren’t Stepan, Kreider, Miller, Hayes and Zibanejad no-shows last night? Didn’t Zuccarello forego makeable passes and shots on his odd man rushes last night? How did the Rangers have a chance? I get it that the point of this blog is to celebrate the Rangers’ weaknesses, but sometimes I think we get a bit carried away. Trade-Stepan was in AV’s closing defensive five last night, with Fast and Grabner, for a reason.
AV right now has Smith top 4.
I certainly don’t think anyone is on board w an extension Doodie. Just hoping his solid play continues for the tournament.
Btw I find it concerning that by doing his own reviews, Carp is enabling you to make this even more of a HAV.
anyone is tradeable including Stephan but centers hard to replace and not cheap –unless they think Lindberg is ready to take that Stephan’s role over eventually
Disagree that Smith was garbage.
It all depends on where you think Smith slots in for the next few years. He’s going to want mid 3’s in salary, probably over 3-4 years. If he’s a mainstay on the 2nd pair, that’s money well spent. If he’s 3rd pair…that’s way too much. It’s like Klein – a bargain in the top 4, wasted money if he falls out of there.
Honestly I’m surprised that Smith kept it in his pants last night. One of the knocks on him is his tendency to take Pouliots at inopportune times. But at the same time, I don’t think he’s been garbage either. He’s a fairly unremarkable bottom-4 defender who, when on his game, plays a decent tw0-way game.
Sometimes, when I read the hyper-criticism on this site (I’ve certainly been guilty of it myself) I’m reminded what the outcomes of games would be if the Rangers all performed to acceptable Bonehead levels. They would win most games… check that, they would win every game by a score of 8 to 1, some 9-2 if Hank was having an off night.
Let’s keep the focus on Game 5. Mr Smith has been a revelation. Liked his game since he came over but his game is perfect for POs.
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As soon as the Staal pairing came on, Julien tried to get the Gallagher line out there.
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Agree forwards spending too much time on side of net and not enough time in front of it.
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LGR
DaveB – problem is the other contracts on D prevent spending more which is why Klein, Holden and Shea are particularly valuable. he could slot into Klein’s salary slot. Wouldn’t sign him for more than 3 yrs.
Preacher Norm!
Forgive me Father Norm for I have sinned! I said I want better play from the players who are not playing up to expectations. For these and all my sins, I am truly sorry!
“Bless me father, for I have sinned. I’m 84 years old and I have a crazy 19 year old girlfriend.”
“Are you a Catholic?”
“No.’
“Then why are you telling me this?”
“I’m telling everybody.”
He was, both in NY and Detroit.
If we were rewarding guys based on short samples of good play, thank God we couldn’t lock in Holden after his two months of luck. How would that have turned out?
This guy’s whole career suggests that he’s not a good player. But because he’s had four good playoff games we need to sign him up long term to an already bloated defense corps.
I forgive you, Bug, my son.
Really questionable defensemen now make 4 million.
Mediocre defensemen now make 6 million.
What I like about Smith…opposing players need to skate with their head up when he’s around.
Rangers really fleeced McDonagh. Somebody should throw him another 500 large.
No Penance!!!!!
No Pence! (oops, no politics.)
True SN.
At the beginning of the season, I was worried about Staal/Girardi being protected who force us to lose Klein. Midway, I was worried that they would force us to lose Holden. Now? Either can go…very replaceable for next season. Though I hear you on a guy like Holden giving you bang for buck.
And unless he turns it around and we go a bit deeper, I think Zika cost himself a bit of money disappearing down the stretch (in addition to his injury costing him). He’s going to sign for less $$ and term, which might mean that we won’t be forced to buy out Girardi to recoup cap space (which is always good long term).
Anyways – we have a best-of-3 coming up, a good amount of momentum, a goalie who looks like he turned the clock back, 2 road games as the best road team in the playoffs, and the hockey media has finally stopped auto-erotic asphyxiating to Radulov GIFs.
was at game so haven’t seen any comments since game started. lets go rangers!
http://montrealgazette.com/sports/hockey/nhl/montreal-canadiens/stu-cowan-canadiens-embrace-playoff-atmosphere-at-madison-square-garden
see the videos especially the last one. crowd reaction after a goal vs isles is worth seeing and listening to
NYR are stuck with Staal/Girardi cap so can definitely see them keeping Smith for the right price. Some of his less than stellar play after the deadline can be attributed to new team, new schemes. He is certainly playing a lot better in the important part of the season.
Assistant Captain Obvious:
“That game, Sunday, it was just such a downer after the good things we had done in the first two games,” said Nash, who was a force on and away from the puck throughout, playing on a line with Derek Stepan and Jimmy Vesey. “But we brought it in this one. We had to.”
Yes Rick, and you need to bring it like that in every stinkin playoff game. Oy vey.
Yo, it’s Alternate Captain! Assistant captain–yeesh–get yer hockey on, Beezle! And what player in history has brought his A game to every single playoff game he played? Athletes have great, inspired games, they have steady, good games, and they have can’t-get-out-of-their-own-way games. They are not robots. And what do you want him to say, anyway, bulletin-board stuff for the Canadiens? Athletes give bland quotes for a reason.
Great win. Brooks column today notes how Nash, entering Game 4 of the 2015 conference finals against Tampa Bay, had a career total of seven goals in 56 playoff matches. Since then, he has seven goals in 13 matches. The man is a beast! LGR!
By the way, is there a bigger POS on the ice than Ott? That kick he tried to land on Zucc was beyond bush league.
Aaron Herndndez – “I’m innocent of killing hisself”
The Caps are the latest team to realize that they need play there game, not there opposition game.
No passengers last night which makes all the difference. Can they bring it two games in a row? They will have to to win this series. Nash seems to have finally gotten over the hesitancy to go to the net after his concussion issues. That’s why he has become a factor in the playoffs. Kreider has always done well in the playoffs. It’s time for him to beak out. Don’t think I have ever seen both teams with too many men on the ice before. Linesmen can call that so all four of them missed both teams or decided since it was even no need to call it.
Julien doesn’t rule out Emelin for tomorrow’s game. Rangers in 6?😃
If the Rangers play their game, there will be a mixture. They do many things well when they’re on their game.
Not defending him but #6 is out on the ice matched up against Kreider, #8 for Nash…
Y is Emelin coming back?
The ‘bottom 4′ of the Habs’ D is pedestrian; need to take advantage of that when #6 is off the ice. That is the advantage of having a top 9, no?
That’s a hattie
https://s-media-cache-ak0.pinimg.com/originals/3b/2c/95/3b2c95faa7a77c4999ec0a554e6a09e7.jpg
On a scale of 1-19, one being the worst, Nash was probably offender No. 18 in Game 3.
LJ – Ott sure is brave going against Zucc and Buchnevich.
I mentioned Mike Green being the worst defenseman in the league and all the chart-boys on twitter got their backs up.
The fastest 180 seconds in the NHL includes NBA highlights. Now Carp’s 24 thoughts about the Rangers includes thoughts about every other playoff team too. Must be MSG rubbing off 🙂
The Carp format is back! Love it, love it, love it.
Had Radulov scoring the goal though. My bad.
The Oilers are a quality team, but boy did they blow a tire last night.
So Radulov bounced out of the league twice, has been called a Tin Man for his whole career, has major attitude and maturity issues…but he shows up in Montreal, scores 50 points, and is suddenly some kind of star? Only in Montreal…
Tired of that guy.
He’s a penalty waiting to happen.
@Norm: I believe Nash was speaking of the team, not just himself. The team needs to bring it every playoff game, not just some of them because sometimes you lose a game you probably should have won (puck luck, etc). So for him (to me) imply there was something more special about game four that forced them to “bring it” was disconcerting. YMMV.
Really not getting the Hernandez “humor” here. A sad story all the way around. On the other hand I’m loving the Rangers trolling their fans with a pathetic display on Sunday just to come roaring back yesterday! Now if we can do that again, and Hank continues with his Ponce de Leon routine, I’m feeling good about getting through a couple of rounds here. LGR!
Won’t get 2 more wins if we get nothing from the centers. Stepan Mika Hayes need be on the score sheet. Kreider I can’t figure out. Just didn’t see him being this lost and a non factor. Top 6 needs to get better win this series.
Carp you haven’t been around in a while maybe you haven’t heard- Nash sucks. Trade him. 🙂
Nash, the OT turnover in game 2 aside, has had a very good series.
Nash is still nowhere near his cap hit in value. Ultimately, that’s the reason he has to be traded.
“Well, if it’s as good as Ponce de Leon, I’ll be happy.”
“Ponce de Leon? Are you kidding me? I hated that movie!”
Now I have The English Patient on the brain.
When that tear rolled down Ponce’s cheek …
Eric – which is it? The centers are underperforming or the forwards?? It’s tough for a forward to perform well next to a poorly performing pivot.
Chart boys are dancing in the streets now that Buch back in lineup though ..imagine if AV inserted Clendennon
Who’s coming to bell centre with me.
The best part about the Rangers losing in 6 will be Eric’s continued living and breathing
I wonder what the Chart Guy that Montreal let go after he said that Shea Weber “barely moves the needle” is doing right about now.
Great review carp, simply breathtaking!
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Great to see the team figure out that speedy all star game crap from early in the season is not how you win. It’s hard on the forecheck physicality and then establish zone possession time (a half court game if you will).
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Also kudos to AV for in game personnel decisions, keeping Stepan away from key defencive draws (unfortunately had to put him out at the end of the game due to z pack having been out for a long shift right before the last few seconds of the game) and keeping the staal/Holden pair off the ice in key moments at the end.
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Buch looked ok in his debut of the post season variety. I don’t think buch or glass in the line up makes a bit of difference. With buch in it drops z pack and kreiders ice time significantly with him on their line (neither has been lighting it up so not a big deal really) so there’s that but good to see him get a chance in the post season.
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I’m not sure the team as a whole can play much better than it has in games 1.5 and game 4, but I do think some individual players can certainly improve their performances.
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Very good team win and I think they can do this in 6 as long as they keep playing physical in your face hockey.
Rob, I don’t know. Might be viewed as a mercy killing.
Wicky with poem. Should I read it? 😃
Yes — playing physical hockey is important in the playoffs – but I think it’s very easy to cross the line and play so physical that you lose your identity.
The Rangers are not built to be a heavy team that plays “half court”. They are not the Islanders, nor Washington from 2 years ago…
Yes, “half court” needs to be big PART of the equation in successful playoff hockey, but I maintain that their identity: speed, puck control, goaltending all need to be on display as well. If they try to play like a heavy team, they’re not playing to their strength, and that spells “eventual elimination”.
Anyone still wish for Kevin Shattenkirk over Brendan Smith??
Speaking of Washington. Imagine if they go down 3-1 tonight?
Reading back in the comments glad to see some of you coming around on the Stepan opinion. He’s not a terrible player, but he is certainly not anything more than a 2C in the NHL with good offencive instincts, slow foot speed, no physicality, average defencive skills, and sub standard face off ability.
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You don’t give him away (I would not let him go in the expansion draft unless the asset of cap space gained is going to be used on a targeted player via free agency…not shattenkirk), I’d use him to try and get trouba or one of the two forwards in Colorado.
Good afternoon all! Without a doubt….worst least funny blog on the internet(s)
Agree with wicky re: Stepan.
Good player, get something for him.
And yeah, the Aaron Hernandez jokes have got to stop. It’s a sad situation.
Akbar
Shattenkirk is a trap (see what I did there)
St. Louis is playing very well (have been since the deadline), and many think it is due to addition by subtraction.
wicky, subtraction of Ken Hitchcock as coach.
Ilb
of course you should read it. ;). I don’t play favourites so it’s just logical unbiased poetry 👍
I read it. Good points, but not much rhyme. And some funny spelling. 😃
Going after Shattenkirk would be a mistake, for the record. Also for the record, I believe they’ll go hard after him.
Doodie
I think that helped, but from what I’ve heard (read or podcasts) shattenkirk being dealt allowed more “two way responsible” d men to get more ice time. That, along with his penchant for making high risk plays resulting in odd man situations the other way were basically addition by subtraction for stl and really stabilized the d men and Allen (fatso mentoring him has also been a part of allen’s resurgence).
Funny spelling…ouch 😉
Agree re shattenkirk on both counts btw
Aaron hernandez walks into a bar…too soon?
Ugh wicky..!! Lol
With McDonuts and the emergence of Shay as a reliable offensive defenseman with good defensive skills ( who excels in the playoffs), do they really need to go after Shattenkirk at all??
I’d rather see them get a WWEber/Character type guy. Big defenseman with a Big hard shot.
If no WWEber types are available, then a guy like Smith would be a nice addition.
It seems like Shatty would be Yandle in the Wind 2.0, or am I wrong on this?
Lay off my guy. All he does is come up big in big moments. And he will do it again. Short term memory.
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http://www.msgnetworks.com/videos/stepan-praises-hank-vesey-ahead-of-crucial-game-5/
sounds alittle less cliche when talking about his own guys rather taking about a game or something that can stir up bulletin board material for the other team.
They still need a Dman with PP skills (not a 1 Dimensional PP QB like a Cody Franson)- Shea is not there yet and McD logs so many other minutes, he needs a break but let’s wait until after the season to discuss.
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Watched replay and this Habs team is dirty. Rolls down from the top with Claude Egghead.
Radulov, Patches, and Shaw make some dangerous plays (Slew foot, cross check from behind near boards) which are uncalled so they are more emboldened. Gallagher is not dirty, just a nuisance with his motor and willingness to go to the net.
wicky, I disagree re: Shattenkirk on the Blues. I agree that he should not be pursued by the Rangers but that is strictly for contractual reasons. I think he’s a hell of a player.
Wouldnt it be interesting if Columbus can take Game 5. Come back home for Game 6 down 3-2.
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looking forward to watching the leafs/caps tonight. havent seen any of that series. Big game tonight, winner most likely takes the series.
Carp, like Jooostin Wilson would say – that review flows smoooooth like butta melting down the side of a skillet that’s about to be filled with GUUUUMBO
Doodie
Agree we shouldn’t go after him. I don’t think he’s worth his next contract as a player. He’s good, not great, not a game changer.
Banging/hitting and not having a “deterrent” wouldn’t be a big deal if we could make the other team pay on the PP.
http://i67.tinypic.com/ouwgb9.jpg
To me, the worst part is that *both* teams had six without getting caught.
is this a reviewable play?
Most of the UFA Dmen this summer are has beens. With that said no to Shatty. Trade inquiries are a must. I hear that Stralman guy is going to be a ufa in 2019 😛
That Stralman guy struggled this season.
The UFA market for defensemen is thin, but the RFA market is incredible. And it will be incredible that no GMs take advantage of it.
Ever since Kevin Lowe plucked Dustin Penner from the Ducks and started a war with Brian Burke in the process, RFA poachings have certainly been rare.
I think most have been matched Kesler, Hjarlmarsson, Vanek, and Weber come to mind.
I’m more surprised that players don’t seek these out as negotiating tools.
I’d love to see the rangers do an offer sheet for parayko from stl
Hell yes on Parayko, Wick. I think he’s exactly the type of dman we need, and he’s still getting better.
while we wait for the next game…let’s once again laugh at the flyers and their classless fans
from a year ago but still funny.
http://www.russianmachineneverbreaks.com/2016/04/18/a-summary-of-all-the-disgraceful-things-flyers-fans-did-during-game-three/
The problem with offer sheets to RFAs is the draconian compensation. The last thing the Rangers need to be doing is giving away a whole mess of draft picks. In order to keep teams from matching you have to overpay and that ends up costing more draft picks,
No doubt about that. As much as I would love to have him, it ain’t happening.
CCCP, that shouldn’t shock anybody, that whole area of fans are nothing but belligerent, obnoxious drunken fools.
Hey Carp… about the offer sheets. Are they happening?
“nothing but belligerent, obnoxious drunken fools.”
Someone mentioned me?!
Beezle, to your 2:09 re. Captain Obvious and, “Yes, Rick, and you need to bring it…” I thought you were getting on Nash’s case, not on the team’s. No worries there. But I’m unconvinced the Rangers suffer from not bringing it every game as much as they do from not being able, each and every player, to be at his best every game. I’ve never seen a roster in any sport capable of pulling that miracle off. Baseball is the most obvious place to witness the variation in performance–the best players go through slumps–but it’s more or less that way in any sport, no?
https://mobile.twitter.com/AdamZHerman/status/854519737799364608/photo/1
I don’t know if this will work but it is a video of Girardi absolutely smashing patches right in the kisser. It’s beautiful really.
Lol, Seeedubbbs! I can watch that all day.
Love how Pacioretty gives him the “what did I do?!?” look.
Go Leafs Go
Agree on Shattenkirk. Very talented player, will help power play, but you guys and most fans will hate him. Chart boys will love him. And he is gonna get overpaid for a lot of years with a NMC.
But I agree with the blog captain. They’re going to go hard after him. (I said hard).
I was just about to say that this Carl Eller guy is terribly overrated and has done jack squat.
Well, this game is over
first the oiler game, now the leafs game. cant catch a good game.
Um, leads have been kinda suspect in every series so far. I wouldn’t tune out yet.
Who is this with Milbury and JR?
If Caps blow this tonight they might as well not play Game 5.
Who are we rooting for in the Boston/Ottawa series? I feel like Boston is a better matchup for us but I cant findself rooting for a Boston team.
Wick, I like your “hard on the forecheck physicality and then establish zone possession time” route to victory, and I agree it’s one of the many things a hockey team needs to do. So far, though, the Rangers have one of those goals. Glass–off the faceoff. Grabner–empty-netter. Grabner–breakaway. Nash–off the stretch from Holden to Vesey, length of the ice. Zucc–Wicky goal! Skjei–off the faceoff, garbage time. Fast–Markov coughs up the hard-around. Nash–McD gloves down a clearance at the blue line, nice pass. It would be nice to see more possession-time goals, but I’ll take them however they come!
Man i want the Caps to lose this so bad
I would consider a goal off of a face off a possession goal, but hey, whatever a goal is indeed a goal. As long as they aren’t playing that stupid globetrotter style like they were at the beginning of the season (which thankfully they aren’t except for some of game 3), they’ll be fine.
Norm
Off that list you posted, I would consider 2 of the goals a speedy, globe-trotter style goal (which will happen regardless of team “speed”). Those are fine. It’s just good to see the team not try to play that way regularly because it is not a recipe for success. Forecheck like demons, establish zone time, wear the other team down…..winning formula. The rest of those goals sans empty netter were results good hard (I said hard lol) hockey.
Are we there yet?
Which series are you guys watching? Boston or Washington?
Arby’s commercial in Toronto…we have the leafs!!
Lev broke the blog 😉
http://www.thespec.com/sports-story/7249353-harry-howell-hamilton-s-greatest-hockey-player-gets-helping-hand-from-former-nhl-greats/
harry howell article
This isnt breaking news but Frederik Andersen isnt good
https://twitter.com/SportsFunhouse/status/854848874334355456
I need a Brass hug.
Nothing easy for the Caps lol
Im not looking forward to Karlsson abusing us with his passes to Brassard
Check it out. Junk Goalie wasn’t so junkie last night. Congrats to winning. Now let go out and take what’s rightfully ours!!! The championship!!!! Hoist that biscuit in the basket!!! It’s our year! Why not us? Why not us? Why not us?
Go rangers!!!!!!
Had meeting tonight, missed all the good action. Disappointed in the Leaves. Really wanted to see the ledge full in DC.
Brass line scores only goal in game. Guess he must be an Amazon Prime member – free shipping 😜
Brassard with 5 points so far in 4 games….55% on draws btw
Stepan 1 point in 4 games…35% on draws
Stepan 6 “ahem” hits, 5 giveaways and 3 takeaways for the perennial selke “candidate” in 4 games
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Brassard 11 hits, 1 giveaway and 6 takeaways for the terrible defencively player in 4 games
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All together now about Stepan…OVERRATED!!!!
LOL, ok…I’ll stop! It’s just so easy though 😉
The best new ” burn” at work over the last few weeks is to call somebody a Stepan.
Also, happy 4/20 to those who observe.
Along those lines, I wouldn’t expect too much from Haze tonight.
Oh my goodness! A natural born 🎩🎩🎩
Love the brotherhood of octogenarian (or better) hockey players!
i’d say that’s an nbc game as they have slots at 3 and 8 saturday
BDL
i don’t consider grabner lindberg and fast as 4th line.
actually it’s the buch line. minutes pretty even too
Rangers shortened the bench on the defense last few minutes
went with 2 pairs
Mcd and Girardi
Staal and Smith
Holden played the least by quite a bit. Skjei didn’t play down the stretch either.
Seee, 4/20, LOL
So, which team shows up tonight? The one that played really well in Game 4 or the one that didn’t bother to show up in Game 3? Since it’s an away game I’m thinking it’ll more like Game 4.
Only with this team can you have 2 pts in 4 games and be considered a break out PO star.
I keed, I keed.
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Does Holden play tonite or Klein? Who is the lame duck to play with 18?? Ein Kleiner still seems injured and Holden has more of a nagging affliction of Porous Defenseless.
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JT scores tonite – book it!
Does AV’s chewing gum lose its flavor on the bedpost overnight?
Linemates get to know well each other’s tendencies, speed, and positioning and should not this late in the season be interfered with except for injury and/or fruitless inefficiency. Same goes for D pairs, only more so.
2 in 4 > 1 in 24, SN
Has anyone seen or heard the NHL’s, ahem, explanation as to how/why four officials missed not one, but two teams having too many men on the ice on the Habs first goal – or should we chalk this up to Boomer Esiason’s “Screw the Rangers button” which is brought to you by ACE Hardware (yes, I wrote hard).
I have a feeling that we might be in for a long night tonight as I am getting a double OT vibe for Game 5.
Tonight’s referees are Gord Dwyer and Marc Joanette and the linesmen are David Brisebois and Pierre Racicot, with Jon McIsaac as the standby.
If you want to hear what a home playoff game is supposed to sound like,put the radio on tonight and try and hear dave and Kenny. This is what msg used to sound like all the time in the 1970’s and 1990’s.
Marc Joanette in the Bell Center what could go wrong
I don’t get the Marc Joanette thing….did I miss something?
Good morning Boneheads welcome to Thursday. Off to work, catch you all later. Must win tonight, can the Rangers do this? Carp says 3-3 after 6, I say 4-2 Rangers after 6. I may be jumping the the gun but next up BGB!
Wonder if Eichel is still going to deny a riff and wanting the coach gone…
“All paid jobs absorb and degrade the mind.” – Aristotle, 322 BC
Eichel wins
BREAKING: Head Coach Dan Bylsma and General Manager Tim Murray have been fired by the Sabres.
AV has promised #13 a new bong and material to fill it if he celebrates 4/20 with a hatty.
If im a coach or a gm, I think twice before signing up to coach or manage that franchise where a pimpled face teenager runs the show.
jack eichel now runs the sabres. been in the league for a minute
rift*
Eichel riff…
“No Stairway? Denied!”
maybe AV goes their to buffalo. will never win a cup here
While we’re celebrating Stepan’s slow start, I would add only that in comparison to his 4-game stats superior, Brassard (and good for him, love the Brass!), only one of them plays the PK. Also, Step has 4 BkS, Brass 1. And I love it that Step ahem-hits whereas Brass hits. Good stat, that one! Still, all eyes on Step tonight, see if he can lift his game a bit, LGR!
Love Step as a human bean. Love, too, his modesty, but lately he has much to be modest about. Hampered by a genetic lack of speed, he must excel in other areas.
stepan no move clause for next 2 years kicks in july 1. be interesting to see what direction they go to explore a move.
Eichel is not wrong for wanting Blysma out but the owner put him is a very uncomfortable spot moving forward. Here is an excerpt from his interview with Buffalo paper prior to firings:
“Tim (GM Murray)had voiced his opinions of what he thinks he needs to do, and I said the same thing with mine. I know that Dan (Coach Blysma)did the same thing. As a coach, he said he needs to be better. As a player, I said I need to be better. The same for Tim.”
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Don’t think Blysma is a great coach by any stretch but this kid just dug himself a bit of a hole.
rangers/habs record with both #19 dwyer and #25 joanette
dwyer 2-2 joanette 3-3 rangers
dwyer 3-3 joanette 5-2
I propose waiting until the playoffs are over before moving or keeping Stepan.
One giant Step for mankind.
Best coaching decision Bylsma ever made was letting Crosby and Co loose. So yeah, he’s not anything special, but I agree…if reports are true, not cool Eichel. Even Hank waited almost 10 seasons before having a coach fired.
*NEW POST*