Big Blue Huddle

Quote from: coggs on May 10, 2024, 07:53:08 AMA "rangers fan during the play-offs only fan because it gives him an excuse to go out during the week" co-worker asked me what is this year that is different.  I have said for months, it is Laviolette, Peca, and Housley.

Team leaders are focused. Panarin is on a mission, Trocheck is right there with him. The coaches (or other players) lit a fire to Lafrenière. Didn't he get benched during the pre-season? They all still haven't forgotten what happened with the Devils last year. And yes, the coaching staff has corrected the ship when it started to run off course. But that bad taste from the Devils has been there since the first day and is still lingering. We'll hear that from them again after they win the cup next month.

Quote from: Giant Jim on May 10, 2024, 02:53:10 PMTeam leaders are focused. Panarin is on a mission, Trocheck is right there with him. The coaches (or other players) lit a fire to Lafrenière.

I don't think so. But he worked very hard on his skating and other stuff. Plus he had the belief of the coach - he's not had that before.

Quote from: EDjohnst1981 on May 10, 2024, 02:56:50 PMI don't think so. But he worked very hard on his skating and other stuff. Plus he had the belief of the coach - he's not had that before.

Belief from Lavs was a catalyst, no question about it. But also challenging him to play right wing, from time to time, unleashed additional potential and, with that, grew self-confidence that was supported by a strong work ethic which he always had, but we didn't always see.

Things came together for Laffy, as well as a few Ranger players, but the commitment of each individual to sacrifice their "me" for the team's "we" may have been the biggest leap forward yet for these guys. That's what a winner in a head coach, along with his assistants, can do when a team has the talent but now needs to give of themselves to each other for the bigger picture.

I believe that's the difference this year.

Peace!

Quote from: kartanoman on May 10, 2024, 03:43:31 PMBelief from Lavs was a catalyst, no question about it. But also challenging him to play right wing, from time to time, unleashed additional potential and, with that, grew self-confidence that was supported by a strong work ethic which he always had, but we didn't always see.

Things came together for Laffy, as well as a few Ranger players, but the commitment of each individual to sacrifice their "me" for the team's "we" may have been the biggest leap forward yet for these guys. That's what a winner in a head coach, along with his assistants, can do when a team has the talent but now needs to give of themselves to each other for the bigger picture.

I believe that's the difference this year.

Peace!

As ever, I agree. Look at the excitement of having 72 back in morning skates. This is a group of men, as you say together and buying in.

We will see what comes of it, but I'll always be proud of this group - regardless of what happens.

Expert NHL Best Bets and Predictions for May 11

As we get ready for Game Four, one of the "experts," Jonny Lazarus, has our Rangers .... as favorites tonight?

Reverse psychology to jinx them?

We'll find out.

Enjoy the game!

Peace!

Win Monday

The team showed resilience in tying the game from 1-3 at the end of the first period until the questionable trip call on Lindgren whom, in my opinion, has been every bit the General he has been all season on defense. The fact Carolina scored on the power play to win the game was simply too ironic for me, as if it was scripted or something. But, so be it, the Rangers accomplished what they needed to in splitting the two in Raleigh and come home with a nice 3-1 lead with no reason to hang their head.

They didn't get the win tonight but, still, a great hockey game to watch.

Peace!

I thought the Rangers were unlucky last night.

The first two Canes goals came off dreadful D zone turnovers, they then rallied to get back to parity. I thought the refs let a lot more go last night and the Canes got away with a number of penalties - Trocheck was the victim of a double cross check and a then a third as he was on the floor in the 2nd, that one stands out.

Perhaps the Canes took liberties because there was no Rempe. I didn't think Bronzinski added that much, so I'd start Rempe Monday.

Ultimately the Rangers had chances to win but they came up just short. Whilst I didn't expect to win last night, I didn't see anything last night that has me worried. I fully expect Rangers to close on Monday. So much so that once we got the 2nd goal, I was quite relaxed and almost knew the 3rd would come - Igor was locked in and the high volume Canes shooters were being contained.

All in all, 3-1 through 4 is a great place to be.

LGR.

Interestingly, we're actually a slight underdog at home tomorrow night.

Right now I am not worried. If we don't win tomorrow night I will be somewhat.

Quote from: EDjohnst1981 on May 12, 2024, 03:40:33 AMI thought the Rangers were unlucky last night.

The first two Canes goals came off dreadful D zone turnovers, they then rallied to get back to parity. I thought the refs let a lot more go last night and the Canes got away with a number of penalties - Trocheck was the victim of a double cross check and a then a third as he was on the floor in the 2nd, that one stands out.

Perhaps the Canes took liberties because there was no Rempe. I didn't think Bronzinski added that much, so I'd start Rempe Monday.

Ultimately the Rangers had chances to win but they came up just short. Whilst I didn't expect to win last night, I didn't see anything last night that has me worried. I fully expect Rangers to close on Monday. So much so that once we got the 2nd goal, I was quite relaxed and almost knew the 3rd would come - Igor was locked in and the high volume Canes shooters were being contained.

All in all, 3-1 through 4 is a great place to be.

LGR.

The series has been chippy since game 1. Rempe won't change that and the idea of a deterrent is an old school hockey trope that needs to die. He also can't skate with this team and would be a liability when on the ice. There's a reason he played just 4 minutes of a game that went over 80.

I'd argue that yesterday might have been their best game at evens in this series. If not for some bad early turnovers and a bad penalty late, this series might be over. Also, the Trouba discussion has to happen sooner rather than later. He's been on the ice for something like the last 7 goals against. We could legitimately see a guy get handed the cup by Bettman and bought out a month later.

Quote from: jgrangers2 on May 12, 2024, 10:31:22 AMThe series has been chippy since game 1. Rempe won't change that and the idea of a deterrent is an old school hockey trope that needs to die. He also can't skate with this team and would be a liability when on the ice. There's a reason he played just 4 minutes of a game that went over 80.

I'd argue that yesterday might have been their best game at evens in this series. If not for some bad early turnovers and a bad penalty late, this series might be over. Also, the Trouba discussion has to happen sooner rather than later. He's been on the ice for something like the last 7 goals against. We could legitimately see a guy get handed the cup by Bettman and bought out a month later.

I don't think Rempe is just a deterrent and nothing more than that. His being in the lineup fires up the fans and the rest of the team. I don't know if you've been to a home game since his arrival, but when he is on the ice fans start immediately chanting his name and the energy level both in the stands and on the ice percolates visibly.

I'm not suggesting he is more than what he is, which is a fringe player on the outside looking in (hence his not having been active recently). I would disagree that he brings nothing additive to the table though, if that is what you are saying.

Quote from: DaveBrown74 on May 12, 2024, 10:43:02 AMI don't think Rempe is just a deterrent and nothing more than that. His being in the lineup fires up the fans and the rest of the team. I don't know if you've been to a home game since his arrival, but when he is on the ice fans start immediately chanting his name and the energy level both in the stands and on the ice percolates visibly.

I'm not suggesting he is more than what he is, which is a fringe player on the outside looking in (hence his not having been active recently). I would disagree that he brings nothing additive to the table though, if that is what you are saying.

I appreciate the energy aspect but, beyond that, I'm not sure what else he brings. He's not a highly skilled offensive or defensive player and not a great skater. He's a liability against a team like Carolina that can skate circles around him. There's also that the refs clearly have an eagle eye on him and he's a penalty waiting to happen, which is probably part of why Laviolette hasn't had him out there late. I think the fact that he played just 4 minutes of an 80+ minute game on Tuesday speaks volumes. I just don't know that the positives with him outweight the negatives.

Quote from: jgrangers2 on May 12, 2024, 11:50:37 AMI appreciate the energy aspect but, beyond that, I'm not sure what else he brings. He's not a highly skilled offensive or defensive player and not a great skater. He's a liability against a team like Carolina that can skate circles around him. There's also that the refs clearly have an eagle eye on him and he's a penalty waiting to happen, which is probably part of why Laviolette hasn't had him out there late. I think the fact that he played just 4 minutes of an 80+ minute game on Tuesday speaks volumes. I just don't know that the positives with him outweight the negatives.

If he is a liability as you have said, why is the Rangers' record with him active (20-2) materially better than their record without him ?

I think it would be fair to say that he is not the reason for that great 20-2 record given he isn't on the ice that much, but, given the results, I think it's hard to argue he is a material liability that other teams have successfully exploited. If that were true, his presence would have led to more losses in 22 games than just 2.

I think Rempe is what he is - a borderline player who brings a lot of energy and physicality to the table. I would also suggest that it's a bit unfair to conclusively judge him as a player given he is a rookie who played basically 1/3 of the season. If we did that with LaFreniere he'd be off the team by now. Rempe's presence on the ice was felt plenty of times this year, and I don't just mean fighting.

And as far as the fighting goes, he has been fighting way less in the last ten or so games he played than he did originally. From what I have seen, he has been out there throwing the body around and getting in the slot and setting screens, etc.

Quote from: jgrangers2 on May 12, 2024, 10:31:22 AMThe series has been chippy since game 1. Rempe won't change that and the idea of a deterrent is an old school hockey trope that needs to die. He also can't skate with this team and would be a liability when on the ice. There's a reason he played just 4 minutes of a game that went over 80.

I'd argue that yesterday might have been their best game at evens in this series. If not for some bad early turnovers and a bad penalty late, this series might be over. Also, the Trouba discussion has to happen sooner rather than later. He's been on the ice for something like the last 7 goals against. We could legitimately see a guy get handed the cup by Bettman and bought out a month later.

In game 4, yes he played around 5 mins, but his average ice time throughout the post season is 6.21. Brodzniski played 8.41 last night - you're not scrapping around finding large minutes to replace either one.

However, I do think Carolina have attempted to take more liberties without him in the line-up, there were a number of boarderline incidences last night he could he have kept in check, plus you had Vesey dropping the gloves in Game 3. I don't think that crap occurs with him in the line-up. Furthermore, he's taken 8 PIMs in the post season, again not a disproportionate amount in my view.

My final point to starting him, over Brodzniski only, is the buzz he brings to the home ice crowd - I think that's worth it.

Of course, just my two pennies.

With or without him - I firmly expect them to close tomorrow night.

Edit - Agree on Trouba. Absolutely a liability when he's not in the box for errant penalties. It's certainly the rangers biggest question mark right now but I don't see a change happening.

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.