NFT - ** 2024/25 New York Rangers Season Thread **

[files58]

Kakko has a long way to go to justify the second overall pick. 

At this point I don't let the second overall cloud my view. I just want to see an improving player contributing. Kakko is strong on the puck,and on the boards, can skate, has a good shot that he doesn't use enough. That lines full potential depends on Chytl's health. I don't like Brezinski, he's a 4th line player at best. If I were Drury/Lavy I'd be keeping an eye out for a better option than Brez.

[kartanoman]

Didn't watch the game last night but caught the highlights. Looked like a nailbiter but also a competitive match. The boys put four past the Canucks' backup; not sure if that means anything or not because he appeared to make some good saves.

Have you all noticed that Igor's been giving up a lot of goals to his short side lately? Yup, there was one where he was completely screened that went in; fair enough. But in his last two starts, I'm noticing a trend with his short side becoming a desirable target for opponents to attack. It begs watching. It's clear he's not on his "A" game yet but he can get away with that as long as Quickie keeps pumping out shutouts. I think last year he shut out the Flames in what was a first for the Rangers in the Saddledome. It will be interesting to see if the coach rotates them the rest of the road trip.

It's hard to gauge the lines on a highlight film as I'm really looking at what Jones playing more has done overall to their defensive lineup. I see him as a developing left-handed version of Foxy with his strong ability to transition to the attack. My mind wanders thinking about both of them on the ice simultaneously along with the first offensive line.

Anyway, with a very difficult Calgary game coming up, the meat of the road trip will give us a little bit of a feel for how they are adjusting to more games during the week. If anything, I think it will make them better and come together even faster.

Peace!

[DaveBrown74]

Kakko 13 points in 17 games.  Not too shabby for a "bust".  Cullye 16 points.  Their analytics as a line are very strong, as well.

It's 11 points in 17 games, but I hear you.

[Messiah717]

Terrible performance in Calgary giving up 49 shots. 

[bobalobabingbong]

Yeah. It really wasn't as close as the score indicates.  They were out played most of the game. 

This team needs to find the missing pieces if they intend to be a contender.  Right now I'm not sure they can hang with the best.  This feels like a bit of a regression from last year.

[kartanoman]

You're all doing Calgary a great disservice. That young, hungry team came to play last night and their young goalie, Dustin Wolf, has been magnificent this season and given them a base on which to build confidence that was clearly evident after going up 0-2. Even in giving up two (2) goals in 16 seconds, he fought like crazy to keep them out of the net. In all, a three-star performance for the kid and clearly was best on ice last night.

If anyone expected them to walk into the Saddledome and repeat last year's historical shutout, and return home sweeping the Northwest Canadian teams, they're not dealing in reality right now. The Rangers are currently a cut below where they were at their best last season. Igor played well last night but hardly a stand-on-your-head effort. The team was outshot because Calgary kept them on their heels all game with intensity and determination.

They lost, fair and square. Regroup, try to get one back in Edmonton, and get back home where the schedule will start ramping up into playing every other day. They'll either get back on track or they won't. But they're nowhere near as intense nor effective as last year's team right now. You'll see shades, here and there, but they've yet to really take it to any good teams so far. Tomorrow night in Edmonton will be another test against another excellent team and arguably the best player in the league in Connor McDavid and his equally dangerous sidekick, Leon Draisaitl.

The Oilers have lost three of their last four games which should hopefully give the Rangers incentive to be more daring in their attack. That means unleashing the Bread Man and Lexi, getting power play chances and converting and Foxy and Jones not being afraid to take the puck coast-to-coast and create headaches for the Oilers' defense and goalie.

Games are usually high scoring between these two teams so pin your ears back and let's all sleep in a little late tomorrow and enjoy the late game (NOTE: thank goodness I'm in Mountain Time 8 PM puck drop!).

Peace!

[Messiah717]

After one in Edmonton down 2-0 being outshot 21-8. 

[Messiah717]

Down 4-1 as the second period winds down.  Definitely are a step or two behind the top teams. 

[bobalobabingbong]

Yep  They were definitely better in the 2nd, but barely. Hopefully they put together a strong 3rd.

[Messiah717]

6-1 as this team is frankly being exposed. 

[bobalobabingbong]

Well, quite an abysmal performance by the Rangers tonight.  Might be their worst game in a while. 

Oh well. It's a long season. Hopefully they can get it together.

[Messiah717]

Well, quite an abysmal performance by the Rangers tonight.  Might be their worst game in a while. 

Oh well. It's a long season. Hopefully they can get it together.

Well, quite an abysmal performance by the Rangers tonight.  Might be their worst game in a while. 

Oh well. It's a long season. Hopefully they can get it together.

The core needs a shake up.  Bringing it back this year with a team not as deep isn't the answer.  Drury needs to make a move.

[DaveBrown74]

The veteran core on this team has gotten so stale.

[babywhales]

Horrible team defense and it all starts with the deplorable effort of the front lines 

No forecheck 
No backcheck 

Defenders are sitting ducks back there 

Just awful to watch 

[kartanoman]

Agreed on the defense. I didn't realize Jones incurred an upper body injury and wasn't going to play last night. But even his input wouldn't have slowed down the Oilers' machine that managed to get back on track after being stuck in the mud over the last week and a half.

One thing is becoming clear and that is the Rangers can't keep up with the fast teams anymore and they can't match up with the physical teams at all. They have outstanding goalies but they can only keep them in the game so long. Their power play hasn't clicked at all in the last two weeks and, as many have suggested here, it is time to make some moves.

Honestly, I want to see how they play at Carolina later this week before making any other comments. The Western Canadian road trip has always been a challenge for them and winning in Calgary and Edmonton are no easy affairs. Truth be told, they got both of those teams at the right time in October 2023 when they were both struggling. Now, it's the Rangers' turn and Laviolette is going to have to figure it out back at the Garden against a pesky Blues team that often gives the Rangers fits.

The boys haven't looked good against the better teams in the league this season. Their confidence is clearly lacking so maybe it's time to get back to the basics and do the little things right with some motivation and energy because what they've served up the last two games is fit for a ninth placed team trying to squeeze into the final eight. Laviolette would be pretty pi$$ed off at that effort.

Peace!