Big Blue Huddle

The last few games they are skating as if on Wollman Rink, and not The Garden.

Quote from: DaveBrown74 on April 11, 2024, 10:04:31 PMBrutal performance tonight. Giving up the one seed in the East would be an ugly way to end an otherwise brilliant regular season.

Ahh...what was it the great Tom Coughlin used to drill into his troops....FINISH

No way Rempe should not dress from here on out.

Quote from: Giant Obsession on April 12, 2024, 06:36:50 AMAhh...what was it the great Tom Coughlin used to drill into his troops....FINISH

No way Rempe should not dress from here on out.

Lavoilette, if you are reading this, pay attention!

They can thank their luck stars, as in Dallas, that their old nemesis Connor Hellebuyck did them a favor last night as he and the Winnipeg Jets blanked the Dallas Stars three-nil to allow the Rangers the tenuous one-point lead for what now appears to be a reluctant chase for the President's Trophy; the shine of an otherwise magical season thrown now into question marks. But, then again, the invincible Bolts were upended by Ottawa in an overtime shootout. So, maybe this kind of thing shouldn't be surprising?

So, if Ranger opponents are going stuff four defenders in front of their goalie to literally give the Rangers no chance to score, then out-hustle them on the other end, this season will come to a close faster than Boston's last year unless, as mentioned above, they put some meat out there to break up that mini-diamond formation around the goal and get some quality shots.

They've got a reprieve last night and have Saturday's matinee to turn the tide on the Isles. I would expect them to come out with fire and, after Laviolette reads this thread, we'll see Rempe take care of business following proceedings on the Isle the other day, followed by an inspired Ranger performance.

Peace!

"So, if Ranger opponents are going stuff four defenders in front of their goalie to literally give the Rangers no chance to score,"

More simple solution, fire the puck. Let's see how much a stomach the opposition has when they're ducks at an amusement park game. The Rangers should have a contest how many teeth they can land on the ice. IT'S TIME TO PLAY WE HAVE ONE GOAL AND THAT'S THE STANLEY CUP, AND WE DON'T GIVE A CRAP ABOUT YOUR WELFARE ON THE WAY TO THAT GOAL. That's the attitude needed starting tomorrow. When approaching the Blue Line or Center for a dump in whiz the puck by the Dman's ears. PLAY EFFING ANGRY HOCKEY. Some open ice body checks would be nice. It's Attila the Hun time on ice. 

ALARMING FACT

which fills me with playoff dread.

In even man 5 0n 5 situations the Jeers have scored the same number of goals as their opponents.

Relying on PP situations to win games like balancing on a knife edge.

I have no idea what went on last night but somebody better be alarmed.

now for some FANTASTIC NEWS

Filip Chytil has been medically cleared and skated today at morning practice.

Rangers still being cautious but this is a great sign for him and our long term.

If this and a return to the lineup of Rempe and last TWO games at home doesn't ramp this team up, then I give up.

Quote from: Giant Obsession on April 12, 2024, 01:25:24 PMnow for some FANTASTIC NEWS

Filip Chytil has been medically cleared and skated today at morning practice.

Rangers still being cautious but this is a great sign for him and our long term.

If this and a return to the lineup of Rempe and last TWO games at home doesn't ramp this team up, then I give up.

I agree.

Further,

I will get sick to my stomach if Carolina goes all the way after the Rangers last pitched a shutout against them, in their own building, and left their fans completely puzzled. We need to see that four more times!

Make Patrick Roy eat the rest of his upper lip, his nose and the rest of his head tomorrow morning! Send him home  with a can of the whoop-a$$ stuck out of his back end! Enough of this guy, already!

Game-on!

Seems like an awful lot of anxiety here about a team that is currently number one in the league in points and wins.

Quote from: DaveBrown74 on April 12, 2024, 05:19:50 PMSeems like an awful lot of anxiety here about a team that is currently number one in the league in points and wins.

ONE CUP in 83 years, we are well past anxiety.

The Presidents Cup...nice, but who rally gives a damn.

THE CUP is the goal from the first day of training camp.

Total lethargy in Game 80 at home kind of breeds anxiety.

You want high-end drama? ✔️

You want gut check response? ✔️

You want your team to show resilience after being dogged all game? ✔️

You want two points when you question whether or not you really deserve it?

They got it done!

The rivalry is back. The Breadman came through when it mattered most. Z-man looked like his normal self again. Foxy continues to be awesome. Lindgren quietly goes about his role as Alpha Dog of the defense. Igor was ... Igor, IGOR!!! The Penalty Kill team was simply amazing!

Part of me hoped Rempe would come out and drop the gloves. That Laviolette kept the team disciplined and focused, "on a business trip," as Ray Ferraro stated so keenly, made the win more impressive to me.

Roy got his boys up for this game and go home with a point. Not the worst outcome for the Islanders, by any means, but I'm sure his team also walked away with confidence with their chances should their first round playoff opponent be the Rangers.

So, 81 games down and the Ottawa Senators come to the Garden on Monday to close out the regular season. The Rangers will go into the game in the NHL's pole position. Dare I mention that Ottawa has historically been a Ranger headache. Here's the quintessential "man bites dog" scenario: Ottawa beats the Rangers in season finale, denying them the President's Trophy, #1 seed in the entire NHL playoffs, #1 seed in the Eastern Conference and the Metro Division Championship.

No check the box on that one! Go Octopii, beat the Dallas Stars! Pittsburgh vs. Boston ... the Pens are hot and may give them a whooping anyway. Canes at the Hawks tomorrow? Uhhh ... Go Rangers, just beat the Senators Monday night, simple as that.

Peace!

Isles looked faster,sharper mostly. Sorokin was on his game. 5 on 5's weren't a highlight, but they grinded it out. Igor stood on his head several times. It was playoff hockey-esque.

A potential Rangers/Isles opening series will not be easy. They are working their butts off and it shows.

Quote from: spiderblue43 on April 13, 2024, 04:57:10 PMIsles looked faster,sharper mostly. Sorokin was on his game. 5 on 5's weren't a highlight, but they grinded it out. Igor stood on his head several times. It was playoff hockey-esque.

A potential Rangers/Isles opening series will not be easy. They are working their butts off and it shows.

I would agree that nothing should be thought of as "easy", although just out of curiosity, which likely playoff-bound opponent(s) in the East would you prefer to face than the Islanders?

Quote from: DaveBrown74 on April 13, 2024, 06:44:38 PMI would agree that nothing should be thought of as "easy", although just out of curiosity, which likely playoff-bound opponent(s) in the East would you prefer to face than the Islanders?

Detroit, to be honest. But Pittsburgh will have the final say in that matter as they play the Bruins right now.

Peace!

Quote from: kartanoman on April 13, 2024, 09:26:20 PMDetroit, to be honest. But Pittsburgh will have the final say in that matter as they play the Bruins right now.

Peace!

Well, Boston spoke louder tonight but Detroit spoke the loudest in putting themselves back in the run for the #8 seed. So, be careful what I wish for???

In unrelated action, what the heck are Hellebuyck and the Jets drinking to blank the Avs while putting a seven on their scoresheet in Denver today? They are becoming a team nobody wants to play right now.

Great Saturday of hockey!

Peace!

The way I look at it is if we can't beat our first round opponent (a 7 or 8 seed) with home ice advantage, then something is wrong and we weren't going anywhere in the first place. So I'm not going to get too stressed about which team it is.