Post-Game Talk: #25 - 11/30/19 | RANGERS @ devils

[Leonardo87]

Question: will the Rangers ever lose again?

This team seems destined for the playoffs.

I said before the season started they can squeeze into a playoff spot. We are seeing guys take off this season and the goaltending is starting to bounce back nicely.

 

[Kovalev27]

I’ve said it since the summer if we finish in the bottom 5 it’s a massive failure because it would mean that the kids didn’t take big steps forward and or Trouba Panarin Mika didn’t play like stars.

but they SHOULD be battling for a wildcard spot. Doesn’t means They’ll get in but finishing on the cusp will be a big step in the right direction.

 

[Cmox]

Our guys were idiots for sure. High sticks and trips are pretty cut and dry.

My issue is that the hooks and trips weren't called evenly on both sides. Devils got away with a lot.

The devils were basically tackling the whole game. A saw a few trips and after whistle stuff not get called. But I guess what can you do when you’d probably have a close game with a AHL team?

 

[SnowblindNYR]

Subban kinda reminds me of phaneuf a little... I always thought he was a helluva player... And then one day he fell off a cliff... And that was that.

I know your point isn't that they're similar players but I don't think Phaneuf was ever close to Subban, the drop is even more remarkable.

 

[Rangerfan4life90]

I’ve said it since the summer if we finish in the bottom 5 it’s a massive failure because it would mean that the kids didn’t take big steps forward and or Trouba Panarin Mika didn’t play like stars.

but they SHOULD be battling for a wildcard spot. Doesn’t means They’ll get in but finishing on the cusp will be a big step in the right direction.

But what if they didn't finish bottom 5, but the lottery ping pong balls put them in the bottom 5?

 

[Leetch3]

I’ve said it since the summer if we finish in the bottom 5 it’s a massive failure because it would mean that the kids didn’t take big steps forward and or Trouba Panarin Mika didn’t play like stars.

but they SHOULD be battling for a wildcard spot. Doesn’t means They’ll get in but finishing on the cusp will be a big step in the right direction.

first the biggest key IMO is that we are competing because the kids stepped forward. and not cause we've been riding the veterans...I think we've seen that so far and hope it continues even more in the 2nd half...

that said depending on how the western conference plays out, there isn't a very big gap between fighting for a wild card and still entering the lottery in the top 10.

 

[Ola]

I think Hajek has looked good in some games and lousy in others. Rookie season and we put way too much on him early here playing on the top pairing. My guess is when Staal gets back they’ll give him the night off here and there and play Staal. I don’t think he’s going to the A.

Yeah, for me it’s no big at all regarding the future. I remember McDs rookie season 10/11. He also had to scramble like this quiet often. Was a year older (IIRC).

But normally it’s good to get a breather in these situations.

 

[egelband]

Anyone else think Hajek needs some time in the A? He’s shown flashes but his decision making is too slow and hasn’t had too many good games as of late. I think he can use some time and gain some confidence

I agree he’s not looking great lately. But I don’t think he needs more playing time in the A. I think a few games in the press box to get a different view and some rest, mental and physical, would suffice.

 

[Raspewtin]

Hajek hasn't been good pretty much the whole year. Think he needs some A time.

 

[Vinny]

I was around for the 94 team. And while that team was amazing and a huge badge for a kid in uni in Montreal at the time, this current team has the makings of something unique as a Ranger fan. A truly homemade world beater. I’m already proud of this team and it’s only looking up. (No jinx).

Cool, I was watching the games in the late night also in the Netherlands, still have the VHS videotape of the game I taped to watch back somewhere, same as newspapers stickers, Messier jersey and the famous cap completely new. My sister bought it for me, she was living in New York. Was a hell of a team.

was the best year to own NHL game and beat everybody with the Rangers.

 

[kovazub94]

first the biggest key IMO is that we are competing because the kids stepped forward. and not cause we've been riding the veterans...

I think we’d be splitting hairs if we wanted to split contributions of vets vs prospects.

Last season we didn’t have anyone nearly close to Panarin and Trouba. Add other vets contributors like Strome and Buchnevich (with continued success from Zibanejad) and it’s far and beyond greater than what Hayes and Zuke used to bring. This is all before we talk rookies and other prospects.

 

[kovazub94]

Hajek hasn't been good pretty much the whole year. Think he needs some A time.

He hasn’t been that badly struggling. A game or a few in street close wouldn’t hurt to take a breather and reset. Going back to the AHL would be too drastic. He is getting his minutes too.

 

[ponzu4u]

Had to give Trouba a vote for a beast of a physical game.

Laying out Wood right after he had started that scrum was great. Amazing to have an actual legit physical presence on defense that can actually legitimately play top 4 minutes.

 

[mas0764]

But what if they didn't finish bottom 5, but the lottery ping pong balls put them in the bottom 5?

Hoping for Chicago Blackhawks luck, cause if we get it, it probably results in a Chicago Blackhawks dynasty for us. Can you imagine adding Lafreniere or Byfield to this group?

 

[ohbaby]

Yeah, the math re the pts isn’t impossible. OTOH, if we look at the teams in the east, we get 16 to start with but only have 4 that are way out of things.

Washington, Bos and NYI seem to be locks.

Toronto and Carolina should get in.

That is 5, only 3 spots left.

I am sure AV will get a lot of pts in Philly, roster wise I think they are one of the weaker options. But they have only lost 7 of 27 in regulation, AV won’t risk anything and will steer that ships to pts in the standings.

Florida and Pittsburg are the other teams in at the moment. Then you have us, Buffalo, MTL and Tampa. It’s not easy to be top 3 of a group of PHI, FLA, Pitt, MTL, Buffalo, Tampa and us.

Looking at it this way, which is a fairly reasonable take, we are a longshot at best to make the playoffs.

But I always believed, a team makes their own destiny, in making the playoffs. So it will come down to whether or not we can play like a top team in the league. And we have been showing signs. We just need to be more consistent with it. The way I see it,... either we are inconsistent playing .500 ball, cause at this point, I don't see a total breakdown with many losing streaks,,... or,... we continue to grow/improve as a team, becoming more consistent and putting us in the hunt. Those are my two likely scenarios, a 500 team or a top caliber team. That's my take.

 

[Kovalev27]

Honestly the way this board has begged for a physical dman for the last 20 years I’m amazed Trouba isn’t everyone’s favorite player. He’s awesome

 

[Captain Lindy]

Hajek hasn't been good pretty much the whole year. Think he needs some A time.

I don’t think Hajek has been bad. He’s been average on this team with (rookies) Fox, Lindgren and Tony D, all of which have been excellent. By comparison it makes Hajek look worse than he is.