Big Blue Huddle

Quote from: Messiah717 on May 16, 2024, 08:42:27 PMWhat a disgusting collapse this is going to be.  While there's no excuse when you're up 3-0 in a series a lot of this will rest on Drury's shoulders.  Added absolutely nothing at the deadline to help the Rangers in the playoffs.  Two guys who lack offense and are complete non factors.

#1
I don't blame Drury. Teams were asking for the Ranger's best prospects and/or their #1 which Dolan did not want to give up since the draft is being held at the Sphere, his property.

Carolina wants it more. The Rangers are showing a deficiency I thought they had before the season started, the need for more speed. You all know how I feel about certain intangibles, the need to play a mean game.       

GET THE XXXING PUCK OUT OF THE ZONE!! 

Who gives a sh$t?

The refs look like Good Humor men. IYKYK.

"Tonight, do the Panthers put the Bruins away? doesn't look good for Beantown."

because the Panthers/Brennet stabbed the Bruins in the heart when he punched him. They went to the Finals last year, know what it takes, and taste blood.

I didn't watch the game, had an event to go to. Lucky for me, saved my voice from yelling at the tv.The extra day will help them settle down. Anyway I envisioned them winning this series in their white jerseys. From what I hear they again let Carolina skate through center ice. No, no, no, no, no. OPEN ICE BODY CHECKS. These are the playoffs. One can get away with a lot of stuff. See Sam Bennet on Marchand. What this team is missing is a Jamie Benn, or JT Miller(never wanted to see him traded). That guy who will step up and lay the wood into a key opponent. Remember what Messier did to Stevens in Game 2 in 94'. They should bang shots off the Canes like in an arcade game. Give no quarter, Attila the Hun during the game, and right after Mother Theresa while shaking hands. The only goal is to get one's name inscribed on the Cup. There is not one name on the chalice that indicates whether one is a Lady Bing type, or Hanson Bros. type. Not one. As far as winning a Cup, I'm Machiavellian.

"Players like Bennett should have a price tag on their head because their world centers on do whatever you have to for the win."

The bolded is what the Cup playoffs are all about. It's a war of wills, combined with the necessary talent level. That's what makes the playoffs so compelling. Bennet took it to a limit. Ok, in return he needs to be chopped down like an old oak. The McAvoy hit in the opening minute was nice, but since the league sat on their pucks the Bruins should have found a way within the game framework to take him out. It's one thing to do what he did to a 3rd or 4th liner, but Marchand. The heart of the Bruins, and no nuclear reply. Really from the Bruins. Where's Terry O'Reilly when you need him. The only reply is a wipeout. Not doing so gives Florida a huge emotional edge. Hence the Bruins are down 3-1. I've been watching Bobrovski throuhout the two rounds. He's been really good, but is starting to show a crack here and there. Besides who would you rather face should the Rangers advance him or Swayman.
Look for the Canes to accidentally on purpose take a run or two at Igor. The Rangers tonight have to play their best game of the playoffs so far.

 

"For files58, what did you think about that right poke Bennett gave Marchand thar the refs missed that the whole world is talking about?"

So until just a few minutes ago when they showed a close up replay of Bennet's punch to Marchand's head did I know it was so egregious. When watching the game real time I thought it was a borderline high hit. He punched him, plain and simple. The league should have suspended Bennet. My on ice solution is as follows. First a little history. My worst Ranger moment(there have been too many) was Game 7 1974 against the Flyers when Schultz beat the crap out of non-fighter Dale Rolfe, and not one Ranger came to his defense. Since then I have always thought that Ranger management should teach a few of their players how to fight, and/or some Martial Art punching. In this view since the league didn't step up right now Bennet would be out for the rest of the playoffs with a swollen face eyes almost shut missing about 6-10 teeth. That ability would only be used in a defensive or necessary retaliatory manner, not as an offensive weapon. Hockey is a beautiful, talent laden sport, but it's also violent. If the league allows fighting you might as well be really good at it, just like winning face-offs. Call it a "nuclear detterent" if you will.   

They should have won last night. I don't like giving any hope to any team, let alone Carolina. As I mentioned in a previous post the Canes are taking more shots straight away in the high slot. That's close to where Shaj's(never could spell his name) goal came from. That and the Canes are having a forward hang on the Ranger's side of Center ice to break up the 1-3-1. The Rangers are also giving up too much ice, and letting the Canes skate up to-through center ice too easily. Things that need to be adjusted. As far as the chippiness. Well since I don't hail from Canada or the European countries where hockey is worshipped, and don't live by the grail a little errant clear or shot that just happens to hit a Cane under the eyeshield never hurt a Ranger. How about that same errant clear off the boards happens to land in the Cane bench. Yes I don't know what the refs were looking at when Trocheck got mugged. Breszinski is a waste. Look for Chytl to re-enter the lineup unless he can't physically go. Asking him for two playoff games in a row after being off for 6 months is alot to ask. He brings speed, talent, and a scoring threat each time on the ice. They need to tighten up defensively. They hit how many posts, and just wide yesterday? Laffy was clearly the best player on the ice for both teams, and is earning his #1 status. If you think this is chippy watch Boston-Florida. One thing I would like to see is when the Rangers hopefully have the series won with a few minutes left would like to see Guentzel salted. I thought the call on Lindgren was iffy, it looked like he got the puck, and the skate which makes it ok. 

We haven't won anything yet. As a lifelong Ranger fan I've experienced enough disappointment to fill the Grand Canyon. Our heros have won 3 one goal games(2 in OT) that could have had different results. Carolina is very capable of winning the next few which would tighten our throats considerably. However so far this playoff run is a reflection of the regular season. This Ranger team is a consistent, and resilient(like the Knicks) bunch. What are they putting in The Garden water? This series is actually very close, and is playing out again like the regular season. 114 pts to 111 pts. I/m/o the division clincher was the 1-0 gem on 3/12. Another 1 goal game. As I've mentioned Carolina plays with one style, one level, pressure pressure in the o zone. Balls to the wall. That's Brind'a'mor's modus. Unless RB pulls a rabbit out of a hat it's not going to change, hasn't for as long as he's been w/the Canes. They did make an adjustment on their PP, getting shots from the deep slot. Something the Rangers will need to react to. Really pleasant surprise to see Chytl in the lineup. He gives the Rangers more SPEED, and talent flying off the wing. He also gives the opposition something they haven't scouted since previously he predominately played Center. We are in the best position possible currently in these playoffs. That's all. I look at all the seven other teams left and know the Rangers can beat all of them, they can also lose to any of them. While the latter has been true before, I don't recall if the former has, maybe in 94'. Every winning team in the Cup playoffs has a defining moment where they overcome adversity(Matteau, Matteau, Matteau). Our's is coming. We should look forward to it. All I know is this, like on 6/14/94 I want to be bent over three feet in front of my TV screen when the second period buzzer goes off and thinking "O xxxx, we're twenty minutes away" LET'S GO RANGERS.
P.S. I love how Ranger fans despite the attempted ticket lockout by Cane management managed to get in the building anyway. Don't F#CK with New York fans.

Quote from: Uncle Mickey on May 06, 2024, 10:40:54 AMThis team like the Knicks seem to have a special level of intangibles. Their cohesiveness and ability to perform in the clutch makes them really unique. Also if Shesterkin continues his post all star performance throughout the playoffs, I like their chances to win the whole thing.

I know what you are saying. Very few teams can score a PP goal, Zibs' second, in the manner they did against a TOP rated PK. Very few. I don't yet want to talk about the things I see in this team, because they could lose the next four games by one goal each, and do so playing superb hockey. It's that close in all four series.

Yes Igor got his stick on the second goal, it happened very quickly, and Anderson should have stopped Panarin's eventual game winner. Carolina will make some adjustments within their structure. However they play one game, Pressure, and at a consistent, constant level. They will need to raise their level of play to beat this Ranger team. I don't know that they can. If they do, hats off to them. That's their DNA under Brind'A'Mor. Love that already in Game 1 they are frustrating Goetzel. He got chippy yesterday.  I'm watching all the series. This Ranger team can beat all 7 remaining teams, and can lose to the same. It's that close this year. Would love to see an Adamms Family train wreck between Fla-Bos. 

I'm ridiculously calm. I should be a little tied up in knots, and I'm not. Do I know something?

Carolina had serious puck luck last night in the carom right onto a stick for the 4th goal, and 8 seconds later a very strange bounce off the boards for a tap in. Hope that's their quota. The Rangers are the better team. Now that does not mean they will definitely win the series. Carolina plays at one level pretty much at all times. High level mind you, but I feel, and have seen the Rangers play above that level. NO MISTAKES IN CLEARING YOUR ZONE!!! This is the imperative. Wouldn't it be nice if Lavy can enjoy victories over former coached teams on the way.........to.........