Rangers 3, Canadiens 4 (OT)

No review today because Corporate Carp will have one of his own.

We crushed the record for the HAV last night, but the voting totals were paltry. Please remember to vote!

My Three Rangers Stars:

1. Brendan Smith

2. Michael Grabner

3. Henrik Lundqvist

Your Three Rangers Stars:

1. Henrik Lundqvist

2. Michael Grabner

3. Rick Nash (really? He should have been disqualified after that OT turnover)

345 thoughts on “Rangers 3, Canadiens 4 (OT)”

  5. Good morning, boneheads!
    What happened last night is a playoffs hockey. Montreal did what they had to do, otherwise this series would be pretty much over.
    The Rangers showed again that they can play this type of hockey- physical, tight, defensive style. A lot of ifs have been answered, including goaltending, defensive structure and its specific players, and team’s physicality. Now they have to add what brought them here in the first place-skill and speed. I like their chances. LGR.

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  7. I like Smith’s game too. I guess they teach how to play playoffs hockey in Detroit.
    By the way, both Nash’s and Zucc’s goals were set up by NY’s fourth outplaying Montreal’s fourth line. One after the icing when Steve Ott could bearely breathe and had to change, another after they were pinned in their own zone and Fast and company were able to come off the ice.

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  8. Before game comments, a blog operations comment: Can any of the powers that be consider starting a new thread when game threads top around 300? Refreshing and posting last night killed 85% of battery on my phone – and its normally pretty good on power management.

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  9. As to the game. Start by saying I remain optimistic. Les Habs were 17 secs from down 2-0 against a team with (per the blog) one good defender, no centers, one or two marginal forwards, a goal tender past his expiration date, and a hobbit. If Mtl. is the better team, it sure as heck ain’t by much.

    My four things to change: 1) Swap Kreider and Vesey, 2) Klein in for not Holden my stick, 3) 4th line instructs top 2 how to forecheck, 4) stop conceding the possession and have one guy carry the puck in on the change instead of dump and run. If nothing comes of it he can get off as the puck comes back out.

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  10. Repost:

    Carp nailed it last night, as usual.

    Rangers were more than adequate defensively, save for some personal breakdowns. HOLDEN comes to mind.

    But the refusal to play in the offensive zone, to turn around the montreal defenders is what bit the Rangers in the butt. You can’t throw 70 or 80 hits in a game, while absorbing another 65, and play on your heels nursing a one goal lead for 25 minutes.

    It’s a tough tough loss, but they deserve it and hopefully will learn from it.

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  11. Trying to stay Pozy here… really am. Just concerned with how gassed they looked by the end of the 3rd/OT. I’ll say it again…. that’s what happens when you get pinned in your own end for nearly 10 min straight in the 3rd. They had ZERO left in the tank by OT. My concern is two fold- That this is a brand of hockey they’re not built for and their lack of energy towards the end was a direct result. My other concern… lack of ANYTHING from Kreider/Stepan/Zib. If these guys don’t start performing…. Lundqvist’s lights-out play will be all for not. Anyone else worry last night’s game took a bite out of them? Feel free to discuss…:)

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  14. The ‘too many hits’ narrative has to stop now. The bean counter in Montreal calls every brush by a hit. I don’t remember any of the top 9 forwards going out of their way to make a hit save for JT on WWWeber in the fist which I fully endorse. I don’t remember a hit by any of the top 6, not one but they have Zuc (5), Step (2), Haze (4), VC (3), Nash (1)…Staal had 0 – which is pretty sad.
    .
    If this team had half a PP, the series would be heading back 2-0. The game turned on the missed PP opps but the PK supremacy saved them. So maybe a draw there.
    .
    The only line to press into the Habs zone and control the puck in the last 2 periods was the 4th line. You know, the one that was hitting…
    .
    Calling the D adequate is looking at 2/3 of the picture. Sorry 18-22 were disaster magnets. Mr Smith is build for Playoffs, Shea has played well. McD always solid. Girarid started out strong, starting to peter. Be very surprised if Hold-On! is back for Game 3 (Ein Kleiner!) and Staal is equally abhorrent trying to move the puck. He has a severe case of the slows.
    .
    The Habs figured out that dump it in and make the D make plays. It is very hard to break out when the D cannot move the puck.
    .
    1-1 after 2 in a series where they haven’t played that well yet. Very winnable series. IMHO.
    .
    NYR in 6.

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  15. RR2, Lundqvist was your 3rd star? Out of curiosity, why? That was an astonishing performance – unless you are seeking perfection I don’t understand the unwillingness to applaud him for what he did (even if it’s just on the blog for our reading pleasure)! I thought Smith and Grabner were both excellent as was Nash despite the boneheaded turnover. My biggest complaint (besides them bleeding shots and good quality scoring chances) is the lackluster play of Kreider, Zib, Stepan, and Hayes. They need to step it up.

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  20. sorry it didn’t post, Calvert broke his stick cross checking kunackls neck and then drives his shoulder into his head while he is hunched.

    Flat out assault.

    Someone should give that a go on Gallagher.

    I keed, I keed

    Or do I ?

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  21. From Cygolis in the NY Post. If true, god help us.
    ” Both Kampfer and Klein remained out of the lineup as the Rangers lost Game 3 of their first-round series against the Canadiens, 4-3 in overtime, on Friday night at the Bell Centre. But if Vigneault should chose to switch the lineup — with the best-of-seven series tied one game apiece and Nick Holden coming off another very shaky performance on Friday — it’s quite possible that Kampfer, not Klein, would come in.”

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  24. I saw that SN. My question is if Kamfer or Klein came in, would they play with Staal or does Smith move up? You hate to split up Skjei-Smith.

    Remember when we were all trying to figure out a way not to lose Holden to Vegas?

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  25. And another thing. Who’s designing our Generals’ uniforms, Oscar Wilde? Elton John? Retro Civil War? They look like headwaiters at a Bolivian restaurant.

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  27. AV is a great coach he makes all the right decisions, great at in game adjustments, he knows how to win, 3 presidents trophies, steadfast with his lines, has the right players on the ice at any given time, his team always gets some great looks, Yada Yada Yada, He’s Canadian!!!!!!!!!

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  33. Rangers won’t recover. May not be momentum game to game however their are series turning moments. Last night was that. Again I’ll go back to inability on pp back to back late 2nd extend leads. It never does ever. Throw in fact defend its why we lost. If this is kreider Stephan we’re getting its over. My mind it is already.

    By way Nash is least of our problems. Can name at least 5 more.

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  34. I’m done playing the blind optimism vs blind pessimism game around here. Overall I’m really happy with most of what I’ve seen. With that said I think they need to do a better job of taking care of the front of their net and they need to break up the Staal-Holden pairing on D. They aren’t a very solid pair and I think it’s pretty obvious.
    Offensively the pp is a problem which isn’t shocking. I thought there was a little too much trying to weave in and out of traffic. But they’re not outmatched. Just some poor decisions. It’s winnable but I couldn’t help but have Rangers-Sabres flashbacks as I blew a fuse last night after they tied it

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  37. They were suckered into playing a game that fit the Habs better. Very reminiscent of Torts final season. Lots of hits, and lots of time defending. If they are to win this series, they MUST, play there game.

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  38. I don’t think you make a concerted effort not to finish checks, but you do have to forecheck. So many of the dump ins were used as opportunities to change because the Rangers had been pinned in their zone. The Habs are going to make it difficult to carry it in so if you dump . . . go chase!

    That said, I think BDL makes a good point. The Rangers need to try to play their game. We’ve seen some of it in these 1st 2 games, but we need to see more of it.

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  40. BDL Ottawa tried the same thing in game 1 against Boston and Boucher took some heat. They came out in the third and fell into their usual 1-3-1 formation and it bit them in the butts. Torts is right about one thing- safe is death. Although 17 more seconds and we’d mostly be discussing how they played a smart third period on the road, how the PK was phenomenal and how they need to make some adjustments on D

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  43. The most alarming thing in the first 2 games is the weak play by the top 3 centers. Hayes has regressed to the Hayes of last season. Zibanejad contributes little and did not take care of Radulov, being outmuscled on the winning goal. Stepan has been better but not great. Given how pathetic the Habs centers are, there is no excuse for being outplayed by them.

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  44. If it can be said about Hayes then it can be said about Stepan as well- he shys away from the physical part of the game and it’s noticeable. If Torts was on the bench he’d tell him to stop being a p- and skate the puck up for a change. Really getting tired of him trying to fire it around the boards from behind the net only to have Montreal wind up w the puck at our blueline. But I’m sure someone will say I’m off base because Zuccarello played well and that must mean the whole line was good. Stepan had an assist you know…

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  45. Agree This Year’s.

    Kreider looked a little weirded out. A lot of people,(me included), thought he’d be energized by being cast as the villain in MTL. Instead, he’s seemed slightly hesitant. Had a give-away that eventually led to one of the goals. Took the penalty in OT. Moreover, he just seems like he may be thinking too much. A good 1st period and a goal would boost his confidence and jump-start his game.

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  46. The funny thing about the Calvert hit is that Kuhnackl totally faked a stick to the face. In slow motion you clearly see the stick struck below his shoulder – nothing touched his face. Also, he looked right at Calvert who was coming right for him and decided he’d ‘sell it’. If anything, the 2nd hit was the bad one and it wasn’t really that bad. I wouldn’t be surprised if the dept. of player safety doesn’t do anything about a guy diving in the final seconds of 4-1 game.

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  47. I wanna believe in this team, but until the killer instinct shows up in a game like was needed last night I just can’t see it. With all their playoff experience you would think they might finally get it. Play to WIN!

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  48. Series-turning moments? WOuldn’t that be momentum? My favorite.

    AV did toss Kampfer’s name into the discussion when asked about the decisions on D prior to Game 1. mentioned De-Klein and Kampfer. So it’s certainly possible. Holden stunk it up in Montreal, but De-Klein can’t make that pass Holden made on the Nash goal. Kampfer mght.

    ilb Banjing than carping himself is priceless.

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  52. Momentum is irrelevant Carp. But if the Rangers lose this series you know as well as I do that last nights game will be the one that gets talked about. Just like Drurys goal w 3.3 secs left in 08 or whatever year that was

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  53. why was that d-pair out there at the end?

    Kreider had a rough game. Weber was matched up against him every whift. Maybe Le Coach can change that in MSG.

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  56. You guys are nuts. Has anyone checked any Montreal blogs? They were 19 sec away from going down 2-0. In their own house! Geez..
    For the record, if AV decides to sit Holden, I wouldn’t be against Kampfer going in for Holden, and not Klein. I think Kampfer is better at moving the puck out.
    Now I’m going to go and read Carp’s review.

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  60. Thanks, boys. I am a tad more limited in what I can say with the new boss. 🙂
    Downie, rhymes with clownie. Thanks James. Also, yes indeed, Game 2 will be the one that got away if they lose the series. But it won’t affect the NYR’s ability to win or lose Game 3. Nor the Habs’ ability …
    It’ll be 2-2 after four, but man this place is going to be a bloody mess if the Divers win Game 3.

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  61. Sorry ILB but I’m not a “well they almost won but it’s okay” kinda guy. Never will be. One thing to think the sky is falling but it’s another to try to smear lipstick on a pig

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  65. After Henrik left his crease to chase Pacioretty I was tormented trying to recall where I’d seen that before.
    Thanks to Joe Rivera of sportingnews.com for putting my mind to rest.

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  67. Re post…i had to watch he game on dvr later due to travel

    wicky229 says:
    April 15, 2017 at 3:50 AM
    Just finished the dvr’d game. I thought the rangers played well for a period and a half, then stopped going to the front of the net, then went into the prevent D, then AV decided to put the worst d pair (staal/Holden) on the ice at the end of the game. Bad choice by the coach but it’s still anyone’s game. I thought mtl was the better team in OT but we still had a shot….all z pack had to do was win a battle.
    –
    I thought hank was great.
    –
    I voted smiff, shampoo boy, and bgg…in no particular order
    –
    Later wankers and LGR!!

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  72. I watched the replay of the OT winner…if I’m zpack, I walk back to NYC and contemplate my “desire”. I watched the replay again…when the puck goes from hanks right to left, zpack starts to put his stick in radulovs back, then pulls it back, then finally does, but clearly he’s not sure what to do and doesn’t quite have the compete level that radulov does=SOFT play (sorry folks, it is)
    –
    Nash >patchioretty
    Kassian>Nash

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  75. The “Divers” were in rare form last night.

    I was guessing we might have seen the words “our fine fine referees” regarding the Ott guillotining of the little Italian kid from Norway.

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  78. This is how I imagine radulov telling reporters after the game about his battle with z pack on the OT winner.

    From 25 seconds to 38 seconds on the clip

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  81. Dolan and Joel – ah..no. One is a talented singer/songwriter with a 40 year track record, one was born with a silver spoon up his arse and a 40 year record of being a compete fugg up. #JD<Joel
    .
    The key pass on that goal was VC hitting nash in stride not Holden banking it off the boards. Mein Kampfer is AV's 2017 Diaz. He is not good but behaves like he knows AV likes him. #sad.
    .
    Oscar, Oscar, Oscar is their best center this series and as well as he has played, if that contiues to be the case, they will remained challenged to score.
    Goal 1 – Grabner break away after screw up by Habs' 6th Dman
    Goal 2 – Bad Habs changes and two good NYR passes, Nash misses the logo by a foot to score
    Goal 3 – Mr Smith creates havoc on a line change, follows his shot, takes a hit to make a play, heads up to point, fires puck at net and Zuc is there to 'leg' in.
    No mention of a center in any of those scenarios. I believe Step passed it up to Smith on the 3rd goal. #softdownthemiddle
    .
    LGR!

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  88. When your 4thlne is your teams’ most consistent & effective line offensively, your team is in trouble. I think that Stepan’s lack of speed has held back his line mates all season. Zibanejad hasn’t been the same player he was before breaking his leg. As many of you have already mentioned, the Holden-Staal D pair was just awful last night. Staal in particular, who I’m convinced is “blind” to players approaching him from his right side, was the one who passed the puck to Kreider’s feet that caused the turnover which led to a Habs goal. All the experts talk about buying out Girardi’s contract, but Staal is the one I would buy out. If not for Lundqvist, this game would never have made it to OT!

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  91. WWWeber can dish it out like when he hit Mr. Smith from behind into the boards twice with no call or when in the last sequence before the tying goal when he cross checked Grabber from behind with not call. Trying to rememberwhen he actually hit someone legally in the game.

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  92. I get that Glass has been good to very good. Cannot dispute it, will not dispute it, but I would still take him out if the lineup. You have to beat the Habs with skill. I would play Buchnevich, and would not be against Pirri playing.

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  94. Bulldog – I’d take out VC if you want Buch in the lineup. Can’t mess with the 4th line as its been our best line. Hell, id give the 4th line more minutes especially so if the NYR get a lead. 19, 24, 15 are playing passionate hockey. Step, Kreider, Zbad, haze? Not so much

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  98. After the Rangers win this series in 5, 6 max, we will all look at game 2 as a test that our sexy boys passed with flying colors. Monteal is playing as well as they can whereas our boys have much room to improve. Yet, they were 17 seconds from a 2-0 lead..

    Pozy pozy pozy. No neggy

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  101. Great review, CORP. Sure have missed those. Got the “France in the air” on Twitter. But not too many Boneheads are Twitter followers. Once again, amazed at the fine NHL officials and the NHLDOEPH (NHL Department of Excusing Predatory Hits). Ott on Zucc was late and cheap, but 2 unpenalized shots by Kassian last night….one of them while leaping 3 feet into the air were only exceeded by Matt Calvert losing his mind in Pittsburgh. As David Byrne said, “same as it ever was.”

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  102. I only stole this because he agreed with me.

    Blueshirt Bullet Points
    1) Alain Vigneault’s decision to skip the Brady Skjei – Brendan Smith pairing in the final minutes twice was absolutely a huge mistake. That duo has clearly been the Rangers second best defensive pairing, yet the coach sent out Marc Staal and Nick Holden with approximately 1:15 remaining in regulation. Staal and Holden were on the ice for all three goals against in regulation.

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  104. Holden has had his moments, staal has not been good. I still do not see the “solid play” of staal who does not seem to have the playoff style of game. I could care less if he’s top 2 or 3 on other teams, I care what he does for this one and it hasn’t been much. I’d sit him for Klein.

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  114. E3,
    It’s not about the player, it’s about the style of play the player represents. The minute AV put Glass in the lineup it told the Habs the Rangers were worried about there big guys, and told them the Rangers were going to try and play a more rugged style. I guarantee this made them happy. It’s the only way the Habs can beat the Rangers. Forcing them to play a different style. So while I get that Glass has probably been one of the best forwards in the first two games, the Habs are more than happy for that to be the case.

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  115. wicky

    You made me scroll back a bit, but Of course I agree. But that was a small sample. Rangers were hemmed in their own end from the middle of the second period.

    I said the first? game when Holden shot that puck over the glass with no pressure. “that’s Holden, he does some things that make you question his brain. He can skate, shoot, pass…it’s that thinking part.

    Staal? He is still good, but the NHL has stolen his magic powers, and his vision.

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  117. SN

    Sorry missed your reply to my post earlier.

    I will not back down from my point that the rangers are not built to play games let alone a series with the amount of hitting seen last night. Guys we’re hitting all over the ice, I distinctly remember Zucc nailing a Montreal defensemen in the offensive zone while on the forecheck (foreglide?)

    Too much focus on hitting and defending one goal leads in a defensive shell, and the gas tank will empty pretty quick as we saw last night.

    The Rangers greatest strengths are their goaltender (who has been lights out awesome), and their talent up and down the lineup on offense. If they play to not score, thus neutralizing one of the better parts of their gane, the opponent is now allowed to play in their toes and be even more aggressive, fully knowing the Rangers have little interest in applying sustained pressure in the Montreal zone.

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  120. That said SN, I totally agree with you regarding Holden, he’s gotta come out.

    And yeah, see what happens when you dump and apply some pressure? Rangers failed to apply any offensive pressure for the final 43 minutes last night and it cost them the game.

    Finally, I’m not impressed with Montreal. Carey Price, yes, but that is all. WWEber has to be respected, and Pacioretty is a true captain, but beyond that, there isn’t so much.

    Agree: NYR in 6

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  125. Bdl says:
    April 13, 2017 at 9:29 AM

    … I know Glass scored a goal, but I thought nearly as important were the two plays he made previous. He was first in on the for check, and took hits both times to do it. I thought that really set a tone. Basically saying this is how we have to play to win.
    ~~~~~~~
    …but today it’s too rugged of a style, and one which makes the Habs happy

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  126. SERIES GRADES THUS FAR:
    (Note grades are based on a curve against the performace expected according to the role each player has on the hockey team):

    Hanka : A+
    McDonuts : A
    Shay : A
    Smith : B+
    The Good One : B+
    Speedy ex-Fishtstick : A-
    Lindberg : A-
    Couch : B+
    Glass Empty : B+
    Topo Gigio : B+
    The Hated One : B-

    Opie : Ç-
    Zika the Persian Enigma : D
    “THE” : D+
    Purple Haze : D
    HOLDEN Caulfield : F
    Danny G: Ç+
    Stalled : Ç
    VC : Ç+

    Auntie : A+

    Bazooka Joe : B+

    Special teams : B

    Overall results in series: B+

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  134. How then, does Kreider NOT hit anything, and still take himself out of the game?

    17 seconds away from being 2-0 on the road, playing that same style.

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  139. Admiral – agree the players need to play their game. It really think the shot stats are way out of line with what is happening on ice. Also the NYR have a rep for being soft and they answered that call so far. Now they have to light the lamp. Rather have them being tough on forecheck and getting extended zone time, but they are not built for that.

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  142. McD is leaps and bounds playing better than Staal. Certainly true in their own end. McD has been off offensively – mishandling pucks, poor passes, too much stick handling. Staal has no offensive upside.

    McD playing with more snarl than he’s ever shown these first two games. Staal like to bend and stretch horizontally and plays “reach” with the stick and had shown little physicality.

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  144. Coos

    re your cash tips 10:19 am post

    Funny that you mentioned it. You would never guess where I work right now part-time. Gas station! Yup… I pump gas for a living! Mad cash tips!

    Granted, this is a family business and I’m only working 3 days a week until June while I prepare for my license exam but still… I’m world’s most overqualified gas station attended!

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  145. Definitely prefer Lindberg over Stepan. Step is far less physical, much slower, not as good defensively, and way worse on draws. Haven’t seen much of offense this entire season from Stepan but for a few of those meaningless late season games. That and Stepan is much more expensive and frankly, not worth the cap hit. Sorry.

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  147. It appears The Kreider we see is The Kreider we get. Really intelligent guy off the ice but on the ice he’s as sharp as Elmer Fudd. Watching him on the ice is like watching someone who just woke up from a coma!

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  149. CCCP – long story short, friend of mine’s a big currency trader for a major bank. One evening he’s coming out of a fancy NYC hotel and he sees an ex Middlebury college classmate working as a doorman in a big hat and a jacket with enormous pockets. He says, “man, you were at the top of the class in college, What are you doing here?”
    Guy says “When I was in college, my father got me this doorman summer job through a connection, and when I graduated, I just kept doing it. People just keep constantly handing me cash which is why I have these huge pockets. How could I leave a job like this?” They met after his shift for a couple drinks and reminiscences.

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  150. Kreider sure does have low hockey IQ.

    And to beat a dead horse, I don’t think Stepan is as good defensively as many here claim. Too often a TV review shows an opposing player scoring a goal with a Ranger wearing #21 a few feet behind said player. Far too often.

    AV should also remove Stepan from the PP. He contributes nothing except to catch a puck and pass a puck – creating nada scoring chances.

    When Stepan was in Vegas land…..let my Stepan Go.

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  151. Yes SN;

    They’ve made their point, they won’t be pushed around. Now they need to stop worrying about hitting everything that moves and start skating more.

    Skating and attacking is their game. Not grinding, not so much hitting, nor playing prevent defense.

    Montreal lured them into the more troglodytic, less skilled style of play, exactly of which Montreal was built, particularly at the trade deadline.

    Enough.

    Let’s take care of the front of our net, crisp outlet passing, and go on straight-line attack. That’s the game. Force Montreal to defend.

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  152. Step’s Mom: “Sweetheart, if I hear that you are gambling out there, Mommy will be on the first plane with a paddle for your narrow fanny just like the old days, capiche?”

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  153. I think leaving Strapon unproctected in order to protect Lindberg is a ballsy and brilliant idea.

    Lindberg is a future #2 center (think Frank Nielsen), and if Vegass wants to take Opie, that’s one less big contract on our hands.

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  154. I agree St Pete. He seems like a bright guy, and a good guy. It could be he thinks way too much in some cases, who knows. It just don’t get how a guy that big, fast, and strong can’t come out ahead more often than not, in situations where there is little thinking involved, just will. On the dump and chase for example. On board battles he’s just stagnant. I get so frustrated. He could be stripping guys of the puck 2-3 times a game on the back check if wanted to.

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  155. Stepan as a Vegas Knights Captain, after suffering their 20th loss in a row: “we need to be better. We need a better start. We need to play our game. We need to be better, we need to play our game. We need to be better be better be better be better be better (battery then dies)

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  158. Stepan off the PP leaves only Mika as right handed forward which equals more time for crying Russian puck in the penalty box for scuffing the boards.

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  161. It puts more of the focus on Z-pack, whom I like but don’t necessarily trust at this point.

    But at the same time; the lure of retaining Lindberg in a greater role and the cap space is very tempting, Ex3

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  165. Kreider’s big problem is that he can’t handle his own speed and power. He’s unable to downshift to complete or finish a play. Explains why he’s useless on his breakaways.

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  166. Awesome story, Coos! Love it!

    This is why one should never look down on any job… I never do!
    By the end of shift, cash literally falls outta my pockets! Pile of money! I call it – money cake!

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  173. Have to disagree about the hitting. First, and as Carp has pointed out, the stats are inflated. Second, lets look at those figures for some of our “skill” players: Grabner 3 Step 2 Nash 1 Hayes 4 (really?) Zib 2 VSee 3 HATED/THE/Hobbit 5 each. The only one there that looks even a bit over done is Zuc and honestly, I think its more that he has a woody for Gallagher.

    We did not lose this game because we hit too much and thus were “off” our skill game. We were not tired because we hit too much. What we saw was largely the same type of play from the top lines we saw the last 20 games. No forecheck, wish passes, turn overs resulting in playing in our own end for extended periods. That is what tires guys out. IIRC some of the D had shifts well over 2 minutes in the OT because none of the 3 forwards could make a play.

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  185. Bottom line the Rangers did not play their game.

    If you’re hitting as much as the Rangers were, and they were certainly hitting much more than we’ve seen during the regular season, it means they are without the puck chasing.

    The high hits totals (whatever you believe the exact number to be) was certainly more than usual and indicates they were without the puck and chasing more than usual.

    Thus, the “extra” hitting is a symptom of a team that is chasing rather than dictating play.

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  186. Bottom line:

    the lopsided shots in favor of Montreal, as well as the uncommonly high hits totals, are just two indications that Rangers played back on their heels for too long a stretch (43 minutes), and it resulted in a narrow defeat.

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  187. 119-108 hits, favor of NYR. Problem with the Admiral’s (and many others’) theory is that if both teams were without the puck and chasing, the puck must have a mind of its own, running away from everyone all night two nights.

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  189. 119-108

    Wow — didn’t know the numbers were THAT high.

    Montreal is built for a rugged physical game and played it perfectly last night. Rangers more than met them in the physicality department, which was awesome, but when the Rangers needed to pick themselves off the mat after defending valiantly (if imperfectly) during the final 25 minutes of regulation only to see the game tied with 17 seconds left, there was NOTHING left in the tank enotionally or physically to survive and prevail in overtime.

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  195. Don’t get me wrong — I loved seeing those two teams battle it out physically and felt the Rangers more than held their own.

    But the Rangers will not survive this series trying to play game after game like last night.

    ** You can’t play so physical like that AND also go into a defensive shell for 25 minutes and expect to win IF YOU ARE NOT BUILT for the physicality. **

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  196. Chris Christie called Eli Manning a liar in his guest stint on the WFAN the other morning. (Isn’t he still Gov?) I would call him a big fat liar who worked for the other big fat orange haired liar but I do not want to get political.

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  198. I think when the Zika for Brass trade was made, we all knew Brass was the big game guy.

    The trade off in youth and cap hit as well as potential is what made that deal palatable.

    Still a good deal – for both clubs.

    Liked by 1 person

  199. There’s a reason Christie isn’t allowed on Air Force1, as it’d never get off the ground. That mutha would taxi from JFK to LAX and never leave the ground and probably pop a wheelie if the Outlaw Jersey Whale sat in the back.

    Liked by 1 person

  200. The issue was lack of offensive zone time not hitting. To establish zone time you need to be willing to take a hit to make a play in a cycle game.

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  203. Some players rise to the occasion on the big stage when needed most. Then there’s Haze, Zbad, Kreider, and of late Stepan. Hope I’m eating my words after game 3.

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  204. Bruins in better shape then we are after blowing 3rd period lead. One they play better at home and two their wasn’t 17 sec left.

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  205. Bruins think they’re safe in the 3rd period. Went to Canada and thought they were coming home up 2-0. Instead they lose in OT.

    1-1 after 2.

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  207. Regarding Zib, the guy has not been the same as start of season since returning from the busted leg. Be it mental, physical or some combo, it shows. I wouldn’t sell him down the river quite yet, though I’m not expecting much more than we have seen for this season.

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  209. I completly agree on Zibanijad Beezle, but he does need to be better defensively and not just because he lost his man on the winner.

    Does Justin Williams look like Bill Murray in Stripes?

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  216. Just got home and read your post E3 you are exactly right on Kreider. He is unable to stick handle at high speed. I’ve seen him over skate his own possession with the puck along the boards quite often. And when he is not moving he’s useless. At times he reminds me of bigger version of Rico Fata. He is good at defecting the puck in front of the net, but for the tools he has much more is needed.

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  217. reminds me of going to a game some yrs ago against the isles and they had cowbells. we won and my friends wife asked them after the game if they enjoyed the game while having the biggest smirk

    Nick Cotsonika‏Verified account @cotsonika

    The Capitals gave out cowbells to the fans, and as warmups end, they are ringing.

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  219. Carp, I laughed so hard when I saw your “France in the air” tweet last night. Great review too, boy have I missed reading those after each Ranger game.
    Stepan is slowing down his line-mates big time. Kreider can fly & Zucc isn’t exactly slow. As or Kreider’s lack of physical play, I think he’s afraid of getting a penalty called on him by the Montreal fans & the incompetent NHL refs falling for it.

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  225. First of all, if you guys are bored (not like there is great playoff hockey to watch all day ;)), go back and watch a regular season ranger game and watch how many times the ranger players Gomez (get half a stride away from an opponent and turn to avoid hitting). I’ll save you the time, it’s A LOT!!! The rangers should of had many more hits in the regular season.
    –
    Which brings me to my next point …I have posted in the past (as have carp and others) that the rangers have players that can certainly play a physical game, but it seems (as many of us here joke) the coach seems to not emphasize the “physical” aspect of the game during the regular season (see previous “Gomez” point)
    –
    The game changes considerably in the playoffs and time and space go away. Everyone knows this and that physicality ramps up. Some teams are built for regular season and post season with their roster make up (Washington, Calgary, Anaheim, Edmonton come to mind immediately), others added players specifically for the regular to post season change in style (Montreal, Toronto, Minnesota, Ottawa), but it’s certainly a know style of play change, so none should be shocked by the more physical nature of the game in the playoffs.
    –
    If a team gets “fatigued” due to post season physicality increase, then shame on that team for not recognizing that style of play change in the post season and addressing that prior to the trade deadline. Personally, I think the rangers won’t be affected by that but will be affected by bad coaching decisions (staal and Holden on ice late as an example) and lack of performance by supposed key players (we all know the guys) more than the physicality.

    Liked by 2 people

  228. I think the Rangers need to keep doing what they’re doing. Two exceptions: the PP needs obvious tweaking – more shots ON Net and our sexy boys need to get to the dirty areas to screen and cause havoc.

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  231. The Rangers need to stick to their 2 major strengths: their goaltender and their forwards’ skill.

    Yes this is playoff hockey, and there is an increase in physicality directly proportional to a decrease in open ice, but the Rangers WILL NOT survive this series if they try to become something they are just not.

    Rangers need to stick to the speed and execution style game that won them a 103 point season despite an uneven last 2 or 3 months. If they try to play uber-physical, which the Montreal Candiens would just love, they will not win this series.

    Book it.

    Liked by 1 person

  233. So what the admiral is saying is the rangers did a poor job of formulating a roster that is built for the playoffs and the regular season. Got it 😉

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  234. It showed in the regular season that this team couldn’t do squat once the neutral zone/time and space were taken away…welcome to playoff hockey. This team is playing to only way it can to win right now.

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  251. Wicky

    Actually, The admiral is saying the rangers should expect and be ready for The physical play in the playoffs. Physicality is a given in the playoffs. But if they focus on trying to hit everything in sight, they will be playing outside of who they are. And that’s not necessarily a good thing.

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  265. WOW!!! I had the Blackhawks representing the western conference in the stanely cup finals and there down 2-0 to of all teams the preds and haven’t even scored a single goal yet in the series, chicago go folkyourself.

    Liked by 1 person

  269. Hilarious to hear Step with his never ending xeroxed meaningless pap. Beware the underperforming nitwit who takes it upon himself to be the team spokesman. See Brad Richards.

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  276. “Hilarious to hear Step with his never ending xeroxed meaningless pap.”
    ——–
    Hilarious? Sounds to me that he’s coaching material!!

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  277. In 1925, the New York Americans joined the National Hockey League and played their home games at the old Madison Square Garden. Tex Rickard, the boxing promoter and ex-gold prospector who built and owned the arena, decided he wanted his own NHL team, which he was awarded in 1926. Rickard’s team was immediately dubbed “Tex’s Rangers” as a pun referencing the paramilitary force founded in Texas during the 1830s. The Americans folded in 1942, while Tex’s Rangers remain.

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  278. Yesterday some witnessed Big Game Brass score the tying goal to force OT (off a crazy good feed by Karlsson) and Brian Boyle make a great feed on OT winning goal for Loafs over Craps.
    Can someone remind one position these guys play?
    Did Kevin Haze suit up yet?

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  284. Morning Boneheads and Happy Easter to those who celebrate!

    So Montreal lost home ice advantage and the Rangers lost momentum.
    How’s that for gibberish?

    Holden, Klein or Kamfer?
    We probably won’t know until 5:00 or 6:00 or 7:00 PM.

    Sounds like Buch and Pirri aren’t playing, so no surprise forward scratches due to injury.

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  288. Rangers hold serve next two games and they will be one game shy of just having 3 more hills to climb baby.

    A nice 5-0 game is preferred with Wweber breaking both of his legs.

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  290. I don’t usually subscribe to the psychological babble that many media reporters write/talk about. I’m talking about how one team has an advantage because (they want it more, are angry because they lost their last game, have momentum, have home ice advantage, etc. ad nauseum). However, I do think that if the Rangers lose tonight it will mess with their heads after their record at home during the regular season.

    So, I guess what I’m saying is this is a must win.

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  301. heard the rangers lost a tough one. couldnt watch. had a 6 hour car trip turn into a 11 hr trip. Dad said they played real well. These things do happen in the playoffs, really looking forward to how they play tonight.

    battle by battle, shift by shift, period by period, game by game.

    Lets go Boys.

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  302. In other news, Olga Folkyerself was quoted “My boys are just toying with those Predators like my cat does a mouse. We are the real predators!”

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  305. Must be the way my cheeks hit the can. Left foot goes numb first. Right one starting to tingle. Not a surprise really as I’ve played 4 games of 3 minute chess.

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  307. Late afternoon Easter “lunch” on Vashon Island, missing game, sneaking peeks under the table. Beautiful place, Vashon but… shoot me. Let’s keep the whine fine this PM, Boneheads, counting on you!

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  309. I’m right here, coos. Try, “It’s amazing, Norm, how much you spend, etc.” Then I could clarify, “We’ve been invited over, coos, etc.” All friendly-like. That said, time to see if I can get a can of beer at this £#€$¥% ferry dock.

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  312. Ohh-Baby! (I suspect this is not your real name) Vashon Island is a very short ferry ride from Tacoma, where I now live. Extremely groovie community–no gluten, no vaccinations, that sort of thing. Rogie, to my knowledge, is nowhere to be seen.

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  318. Norm-Sounds like a great place to live.

    Can’t tell you how many times I considered changing my blog name. Surprised my wife hasn’t looked at my phone and wondered WTF? My 1st blog name was Hedberg 15, not knowing someone else was already Hedberg.

    J.D. will always be a Ranger, but he left the organization a long time ago. Game 3 seems like as good a time to switch it up as any.

    I considered the “Artist formerly known as Oh” and “Ohh Cougar Mellancamp,” but I’m going to go with TomK.

    Liked by 1 person

  325. If a person were to visit a Native American territory and find himself aroused for some reason, would he have a Rez-erecti… wait, is this a family-friendly blog?

    Liked by 1 person

  328. I Collins coached the NYR, he only give the young guys 6 minutes a game and limit them to two checks per evening and a shot on goal every other game.

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  339. Milbury just roasted AV for having Holden and Staal on the ice at the end of regulation. Then he roasted them for playing that last minute so poorly. First time I’ve ever agreed with the guy. I feel ill….

    Liked by 1 person

  340. If you were to rethink your decision about booking a time to visit a Native American community, that would be a reservation reservation reservation.

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  341. All I know is it’s 186 miles to Chicago we’ve got a full tank of gas a half a pack of cigarettes it’s dark and we’re wearing sunglasses LGR!

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