It seems the Bruins year in and year out jam the net hard and in the playoffs last year they jammed it so hard that our defense kept collapsing which is why Krug became such a force. The last few years IMO it's been the same teams Pittsburgh and Boston every year that have been the real class of the East. The Pens go harder to the net as well--and with Crosby, Malkin they have skill beyond anything we have.
The Rangers have proven they can play great defense. What they need to show is that they're a better than average offense. They don't have the skill of the Pens (but we do have better goaltending and defense)--the Bruins style of offense however is more than reachable. I have more hope for this year than last if only because we have more depth practically everywhere but especially at forward but Kreider for one needs to show up--needs to start becoming a force. An ability to roll 4 lines is also a key--having a good forecheck and some scoring from the bottom lines helps the top lines from always having to constantly regain momentum--takes a lot of pressure off of them. Rangers offense did not pressure or wear down other teams defenses last year nearly as much as they did in 11-12.
I really like everything you had to say here eco's, agree 100% with the rangers needing to prove they are a better offensive team. Not elite in the sense of PIT but as good as BOS. They have the defense to offset not being on the same level of PIT because PIT certainly does not have anywhere near an equivalent 6 and goalie to us imo. The Rangers key this year is depth like you mentioned. They have guys in the bottom six that hopefully will chip in...at least I feel a lot more comfortable than in years past. Pouliot, D. Moore, hopefully a better effort from Boyle with the "clean slate" under a new coach, and also hopefully a young forward or two surprises.
I think the biggest issue with why Krug was so open goes back to the style of play. It wasn't just Boston that was able to do that. It happened during the regular season too. The rangers left Bogo and Buff open when we played WPG, they left Campbell open when we played FLA. The Rangers collapsing system relied on shot blockers because we gave the point men room to shoot. I never agreed with it. BUT it worked for the 2011-2012 team because we had players that bought into that style. However, shot blocking is a double edge sword. You want your players to do whatever it takes to win and I like seeing them block shots, HOWEVER, you won't make through a full season that way even if they stay healthy enough to play, they will be banged up. Dave Maloney said it the other day to Jim Cerny, the Rangers cannot shot block their way to a stanley cup. The way Maloney was talking, you could tell he likes the coaching change. Hopefully AV's style includes the wingers being further up the boards, closer to the points, to give less room to the defenders as well help create a better transition game. The rangers have to rely on their center and two defenders to handle the work down low as well as let Henrik do what he gets paid to do, and that is stop the puck.
