Big Blue Huddle

The one thing nobody here is doing is taking Carolina for granted. Now, with that having been said, it is fact that the Rangers have the stranglehold on them and must continue to focus on playing THEIR brand of hockey which has yielded their 55 regular season wins, a President's Trophy, a big broom-sweep of their first round playoff divisional nemeis in the Nation's Capital and, here we are, on the throes of having the opportunity to do the same to a heated divisional rival AND, as if it hasn't been mentioned enough, our bestest of friends in Vegas at Bet MGM Sportsbook have anointed them as the champions before the season's first puck drop. "Paper Champions" they have been, to date, and Brind'Amour must come up with a new formula quickly before the bizarre occurrence of the Rangers going 8-0 in this post-season while Carolina would have been swept in their last two playoff matchups (NOTE: lest we forget what Florida did to them in the Eastern Conference Finals last year).

But it is very true that this entire series can turn on a dime if the Canes can break the code that debunks their poor special teams' play as well as Igor's apparent invincibility.

But Laviolette is in the driver's seat right now and is playing his cards masterfully. The Chytil for Rempe switch ultimately paid off last night with the extra attacker adding more pressure on their defense and young goalie. Will Lavs stick to this formula or switch it around and bring back the big kid in case things get out of hand tomorrow night? We hinted, during Game Four of the Washington series that it might have but, alas, it really did not. So, I venture to guess that Chytil will stay in the lineup, for now.

I could not stop laughing when I started hearing "Let's Go Rangers" and "I-gor" chants competing with "Let's Go Canes." Let's face facts. This country IS Rangers' Nation. I witnessed it with my own eyes here in Phoenix when they came to town. Sam and Joe have commented on every road trip that Ranger fans have represented the team well on the road. Laviolette and the entire team have taken note of that and I have no doubt it gives them all a great sense of pride. In truth, it gives us Rangers fans nationwide great pride to take over an opponent's building. The looks on the home team's fans are absolutely priceless!

Next game up; can the Rangers pull off what many believe would have been unthinkable at the start of this series?

Stay tuned!

Peace!

Yes, there's the ethics/morals aspect but there's a bigger picture as well. When you start publicky sharing with the world your "worth," you potentially open yourself to bad people showing up in your life disguised as good folks with good intentions who are out for one thing. On the other hand, it can potentially set you up for getting robbed if you're not careful.

The point is to be smart and think carefully about the consequences of anything you post in the public domain. No amount of money makes you immune to the consequences of your own foolish postings.

Peace!

Lol on Purdy, but last time I checked, he and his team were either in overtime in the Super Bowl, in year two of his career, or throwing with a blown out elbow in the NFC Championship game in his rookie season.

He's in a system that is working well for his skillset and he doesn't have to apologize for the talent around him; he just wins. He only needs to take the final step and become a championship quarterback. He's still growing into the position and getting better.

He's accomplished all that in his season and a half experience in the NFL.

Definitely top five, but you can make a case why or why not for second best.

Peace!

P.S. the Jones ranking is a bait click scheme, enough said.

Quote from: Giant Obsession on Today at 07:31:30 AMHands down....the MOST resilient Ranger team of my lifetime.

18 guys with backbone suited up every night and a goalie who almost defies description.

Mr Laviolette is Joe Torre of 1996.  A solid "ugh" when he was hired admit it.  Well, pass me some crow and cranberry sauce.

Don't wake me up....please.

They have to conquer all foe, en route to the top, and reach the Everest before comparisons to Torre can even be considered.

But I'll yell you the truth. Throughout this season, that's exactly what came to my mind as well.

Peace!

1:43 in overtime ...

Breadman!

Breadman!!

Breadman!!!

Style points back-handed tip-in off a gorgeous pass from Trocheck in the right corner for the winner, 3-2.

I don't want to analyze tonight's game. As I stated before, the Rangers, since winning Game Seven of the 2022 Playoffs against Carolina in Raleigh, they've played well in that building and weren't impacted by the home crowd that, despite attempts to keep Ranger fans out, the Blueshirts fans found their way into the building.

Special teams was won by the Rangers again. Carolina was 0 for 5 on the power play. The Rangers were 0 for 4 on the power play; however, 5 for 5 penalty kills PLUS one short-handed goal which shut down the Carolina fans for a good portion of the game.

Igor did his hls job well in keeping Carolina in check for most of the game. The game tying goal was unfortunate; but the building pressure and chaos by Carolina was effective in their endeavor to score. Fortunately, he wasn't needed in overtime to repeat Tuesday's magical performance.

Panarin's game-winning goal, his fourth game-winner in this year's playoffs, should finally quiet the critics who have castigated him for his past playoff disappearances.

Also, Laffy getting his third goal of this series, which almost turned out to be the winner, continues to validate his growth.

But Vinny Trocheck continues to be a thorn in his former team's side. Whether he's baiting his ex-teammates into penalties, or making plays that result in scores. His impact was felt today from start to finish.

The Rangers' defense bent but never broke. They held the Canes to one score for 58 and a half minutes and two for the entire game.

After the Rangers scored in overtime, I spent time observing the Canes and their fans. Both looked broken. It's not over until it's over, but they looked broken. I think maybe they are starting to realize what files58 and I have been seeing and saying on here with conviction, not that the rest of you aren't, or don't believe it, but the Rangers have a sense of purpose now that goes beyond the President's Trophy. It's retribution for that embarrassment last year when they self-destructed against the Devils. This team is the antithesis of that group.

So, the Canes came to play and their fans arrived to cheer them on to victory. In the end, neither was enough to defeat a Ranger team who is now a game away from sweeping the third best team in this season's play.

With all my love to the Vegas prognosticators, and all Canes bandwagoners, it gives me great pleasure to say ...

Rangers: 3 - Your Paper Champions: Goose Egg, Zero, Zilch, Nil, Nada, You get nothing and like it, Nyet!

Oh, and I almost forgot ...



Let's Go Rangers!

Peace!

Quote from: Rosehill Jimmy on May 08, 2024, 09:54:18 PMRempe got all of 4 minutes TOI.  I understand benches get shorter in the playoffs and in fact, Carolina had 2 with 6+ minutes of TOI. Tough to mess with a winning formula but would PL contemplate swapping Brodzinski for Rempe?

Lots of bantering in the NY Post comment section about that today. It's hard to make a change when you have a winning formula (6-0 in the playoffs). Sometimes it's important for a kid like Rempe, who literally AND figuratively tilts the ice, who has both the opponent's AND the referee's heads' all jumbled up in knots, to do something as simple as "snow" Andersen, following Igor's getting tripped and flipped, to deliver an unspoken message that gets across clearly in a manner that no other way would prove effective. Johnny Brodz won't give you that.

In general, Laviolette knows how to make it to the top of the Everest of this sport. His tracks are there at the peak from '06. He knows what he's doing with his Rangers' team AND with keeping Rempe out there, even if for a handful of minutes.

The dynamics of this series change with the scenery now shifting to Research Triangle, NC. Will Rempe still be a role player remains to be seen. But the evidence is undeniable that the refs are whistle-happy when he's on the ice. That they scolded him yesterday was laughable. If he is in the ref's heads, in the opponent's heads, none of them are primarily focused as they should be on what they're supposed to be doing and that just benefits the Rangers.

Laviolette is brilliant!

Peace!

This is an excellent thread and, if the Giants have any hope of being competitive in the coming season, having a good, if not excellent, special teams could enable them to stay close in games they would otherwise lose or, glass half-full, be the difference in winning a close game (e.g. Polish Power Olszewski's punt return TD last year).

It was one of Bill Parcells' interests, especially punt returners, but special teams in general, that hitting on two of the three cylinders in a football game (i.e. offense, defense, special teams) will put a team in a good position to win a football game. Special teams have become a little more refined since then, and I believe they have even more opportunity for refinement. But a special teams' coach has to ensure that his players can, first and foremost, execute correctly and consistently. That's been a challenge with the Giants for a while now. That Michael Ghobrial is no stranger to the Sardine Can, and all its little details, such as wind patterns, is a good head start. The team has brought in new players, and I trust even more new players from free agency will find their way onto the team via special teams, so it's going to be different.

It's already been noted, and it cannot be understated, that Daboll is handling this off-season very differently than previous years in that he's now bringing in competition to challenge the incumbents and this is sorely overdue. This is going to help the entire team, not just special teams, bring their best every day to compete and fight for their job.

My biggest question mark remains Graham Gano's recovery to include his flexibility in his planting leg, as well as his strength to bear his weight on the planting leg as he goes through his kicking motion, will be something to keep an eye on. I have no doubt he will be ready for camp, assuming his procedure went well with no complications, and he has had time to rehab it so his flexibility and strength should be getting close to normal. But you know with surgeries, things are never the same as they once were. So, we'll see.

Peace!

Will the 2024 Giants, opening day, be "better" (NOTE: quantify "better" as you please) than the opening day 2023 Giants, and why?

Now, how does that play into answering the original question posed in this thread?

Discuss, please.

Peace!

OK, I'll ask the question.

When the time (eventually) comes, which half of Giants' ownership is going to sell out to a Private Equity Fund(s) FIRST?

Talk amongst yourselves.

Peace!

Quote from: spiderblue43 on May 08, 2024, 04:52:56 PMI remember how our best weapons was punter Dave Jennings and the D in the 70s.

You talk about godawful offenses, those mid 70s teams were as bad as you could get. Terrific players Brad Van Pelt and Brian Kelley never got the success they deserved.

My idol!

Quote from: Gmo11 on May 08, 2024, 10:01:42 AMI do think last night Carolina was better.  Though the teams are mostly pretty equal on paper.  The Hurricanes played as though their lives were on the line last night and turned in maybe their best game of the playoffs only to have Igor shove it right back in their faces with a masterful performance. 

They said that teams that go up 2-0 win 85% of the time so Carolina really played as though it was a do or die game for them even if they still have a great chance to go home and tie this thing back up at 2. 

Rangers are now in position to where they have two games to get one.  If they can split the next two games in Carolina I think they're moving on.  I don't think the Hurricanes can beat Shesty 3 straight times when he's playing at this level. Hell they may not be able to beat him once. 

I will give you they were more desparate, better puck handlers going into the Rangers' zone, passing in the Rangers' zone to set up shots on goal. When they were up 3-2, and Emily Kaplan was interviewing Laviolette, the head coach mentioned the Rangers needed some "pep in their step." Not a minute after he said that, the Rangers went on full burners and literally put the Canes on their heels and bombarded Freddie, drawing a penalty not long after, and the game-tying goal by Kreider after that. For the Rangers to absorb all that the Canes threw at them, then put on the Superman capes and literally blow the same Canes off the ice with a power play they cannot stop when the Rangers make their minds up they won't be denied. Top that with a hot goalie, it beats "better paper champions" and that's not taking anything away from a very, very good Carolina team that, in any other division, would likely blow through to Round Three without breaking a sweat.

The series is far from over, and Carolina can get back into this one with two home wins and put the pressure back on the Rangers' shoulders. But they have to do three things that run counter to what they've done all season:

1. Convert on their power play (0 for 10 in this series to date)
2. Dominate on their penalty kill (given up four goals in nine penalty kill attempts this series to date)
3. Excellent goaltending averaging three or less in the playoffs (given up eight goals in two games, avg. of four per game, to date)
4. Taking stupid, undisciplined penalties which lead to #2 above.

The Rangers are literally assassinating them in all four categories. They are literally the difference between the two teams and, if Carolina cannot solve these problems, they will be in a lot of trouble after Thursday. That's not the make-up of a better team; that's a better team ON PAPER!!! As in PAPER CHAMPION!!!

They have their home-town fans, parochial crowd which their box office locked out Ranger fans from out of town to ensure they couldn't get tickets and preserve the home-ice advantage. If they are better, they will have their home ice and fans behind them to demonstrate that they are. But somewhere, in the back of their minds, the thought that the last time the Rangers came to town, Igor and the Blueshirts left with a 1-0 shutout victory.

For the record, I don't see the Rangers sweeping this series. Even if they find a way to pull off a win tomorrow, I still think it will go five minimum, six realistically, seven possibly. To your point, Carolina is too good to go down in straight sets and Game Three may very well end up being a throw-away for the Rangers. I hope not, but let's see how it goes.

Peace!

The Avs came back to steal Game One in overtime over Dallas. I can't describe what a magnificent night of playoff hockey we were treated to last night.

Before going overboard on Carolina being so much "better" than the Rangers, are you talking shots on goal differential or time in zone differential? Ray Ferraro correctly pointed out that these two stats are a staple in the Canes' play throughout their season, and what we witnessed last night was consistent with that plus padded numbers due to the extra time. Carolina had some nice chances to win it but hot goalie beats hot shots, at least for now (NOTE: and hopefully for the long haul, as far as the Rangers are concerned). The defense really did about as good a job as possible in keeping the lanes clear in the overtime. But where I respectfully disagree Carolina is better is that the Rangers big three, i.e. Breadman, Z-man and Vinny T., are the difference makers they cannot account for. That proved the difference in the end last night when both teams let it all hang out in overtime.

Peace!

Quote from: DaveBrown74 on May 07, 2024, 11:24:37 PMHUGE win!!

We got outplayed overall tonight but Shesty was an absolute animal, especially after the second period. That we found a way to win this game was remarkable.

Series is far from over though. We're in a strong position right now for sure, but Carolina will be balls to the wall the next two games.

This was tremendous. I was constantly worrying we were going to lose this game throughout play tonight. For certain phases of the game they were really dominating us.

Rangers teams in recent past years would have for sure lost this game. The fact that we found a way to win tonight speaks volumes about this year's team. They have some magic going here.

My preview played out darned near to the letter. I did not think a double OT would be needed, but so be it.

54 saves for Igor! The A-game is in full gear! Forget 2022! He's playing above that level right now!

Laffy getting his first two playoff goals were both timely AND needed tonight.

The special teams ended up being the difference again. The two power play goals, from Kreider to tie it, and Vinny T. to win it, will make Brind'Amour mutter to himself.

Just a great physical match which, like files58, I didn't feel nervous at all. I had a quiet confidence the Rangers feel similar to how I'm seeing the playoffs. Everyone's crowning Carolina as the league Champs, but there's one small problem with that:

Rangers: 2 - Paper Champions: 0

Sorry Vegas, and all the misguided, I'm just not seeing it your way.

Now the series gets fun as it shifts to Raleigh. Can the Rangers pull off the improbable to go 3-0? One of two in Raleigh would be huge.

Colorado coming back on Dallas after trailing 0-3, now 2-3 after 2. Great 3rd period coming up!

Peace!

Quote from: EDjohnst1981 on May 07, 2024, 11:16:19 AMThe Bruins provided quite the shock last night.

Would be huge for the NYR to go 2-0 up right now. We are playing with such chemistry a game winner can come from anywhere. If I were predicting, I think the Rangers nick a close one again. I'm hoping Bread can imitate Zib and dominate the game.

I think goals will be at a premium tonight. I would love another three-goal first period but I am finding it difficult for Brind'Amour's boys to come out again and have their heads spinning like a pinball machine as in Game One. I wouldn't be surprised at all if they try to do to the Rangers precisely what Boston did to Florida last night in a somewhat shocking, but not overly surprising, 5-1 victory for Bean-town.

I suspect we'll see much more grinding, much more shoving around, and possibly a few tempers flaring before the night is over. But it will come down to protecting Igor, staying patient and extra due-diligence on playing defense. Again, I think special teams will be the difference and the Rangers have the advantage, at least for now.

Work and grind, that's the formula!

Also, Avs and Stars kick off tonight as well. The Avs, like the Rangers, want nothing more than to race with the puck to create opportunities. Dallas, on the other hand, wants to contain the high-flying Avs. The series starts in Dallas tonight!

Yet another great hockey night!

Peace!

Where are all the "in-breeding" and "cronyism" comments and rants???

  - off

He's Coughlin-tested, Coughlin-approved. That's all I need to know.

Welcome back, Chris Snee!

Peace!