GDT: | ECQF Game I | Pens vs Rangers | "I think people place too much emphasis on their careers."

[Coastal Kev]

Rooney is just Gallant’s ZAR who plays C. From what I’ve read, most Rags fans don’t want him or Reaves in the lineup. So I’d consider that good news.

Seeing how physical all the games were last night, I hope we’re able to keep up. Really just want us to show a little bit of pride and fight.

So most Ranger's fans know better than their coach? lol

Physicality is huge in the playoffs, take note of that tonight please.

 

[Trade]

So most Ranger's fans know better than their coach? lol

Physicality is huge in the playoffs, take note of that tonight please.

I mean, you’ve been acting like you know better than an NHL coach for years, what makes Rags fans any different?

Or are you admitting some of your takes are shit?

 

[Andy99]

He’s baacckk…torn groin and all…lol

 

[pistolpete11]

Man....... that rangers roster up front of loaded with talent. That team is stacked up for the next decade-ish with those picks.
On the other shoe...... an old and previously cohesive talented group stands little to no chance in the post-season. They haven't had it for a few years. Unless they get their game together and strike it hot.... this could be ugly.

I sure hope they win, but.... yeah..... don't see it happening.

Are they, though? Panarin is a stud, Zibanejad is underrated, and Kreider had a heck of a year, but other than that? Strome and Copp are fine. Vatrano is nothing to write home about. Laf-Chytil-Kakko all have a long way to go to live up to expectations. The 4th line is pretty meh, if not worse.

Don't get me wrong, they have enough talent to beat the Pens, but when I look at that roster, I'm much more worried about Shesterkin than I am their offense..

 

[Coastal Kev]

I mean, you’ve been acting like you know better than an NHL coach for years, what makes Rags fans any different?

Or are you admitting some of your takes are shit?

I knew that would be the response before I posted...... and you're not wrong.

But let's call it nuanced. I never have made a claim that Sully is a bad hockey coach. I have never critiqued his in game strategy. My argument has always been a big picture stance; Sully is the wrong coach for this current team.

Do you see the difference?

 

[Andy99]

Are they, though? Panarin is a stud, Zibanejad is underrated, and Kreider had a heck of a year, but other than that? Strome and Copp are fine. Vatrano is nothing to write home about. Laf-Chytil-Kakko all have a long way to go to live up to expectations. The 4th line is pretty meh, if not worse.

Don't get me wrong, they have enough talent to beat the Pens, but when I look at that roster, I'm much more worried about Shesterkin than I am their offense..

I mean I’d give the edge to the Rangers over the Pens at forward, defense, goaltending and coaching lol…maybe that says more about the Pens

 

[SomeDude]

He’s baacckk…torn groin and all…lol

Fast forward to the 10 minute mark of the 1st period:

 

[BlindWillyMcHurt]

This isn't meant as any kind of affront to Zucker but if they are going to play him... FFS start him off down the lineup and carefully manage his TOI.

 

[Andy99]

This isn't meant as any kind of affront to Zucker but if they are going to play him... FFS start him off down the lineup and carefully manage his TOI.

yep…either replace Kap or ERod on lines 3 or 4…

 

[BlindWillyMcHurt]

yep…either replace Kap or ERod on lines 3 or 4…

That would make the most sense.

Plus it's like... that L2 LW has been a game of musical chairs for weeks. Heinen has looked about as good as anything else has there. Which... bar in the dirt but whatever. Let it ride.

 

[reino]

Is injured Zucker upgrade over anybody? Don't think so

 

[Andy99]

That would make the most sense.

Plus it's like... that L2 LW has been a game of musical chairs for weeks. Heinen has looked about as good as anything else has there. Which... bar in the dirt but whatever. Let it ride.

Zucker-Carter-McGinn or
Zucker-Blueger-Boyle

 

[SomeDude]

Is injured Zucker upgrade over anybody? Don't think so

I might take a wheelchair bound Zucker over Kapanen at this point.

 

[Icarium]

The refs haven't swallowed the whistles yet. This could be very bad news for us with our ice cold PP. Or very good news because we can't score against the Rags 5 on 5 anyway.

 

[BlindWillyMcHurt]

Only 7ish percent of you think the Carter line will be our best, tonight?

What has happened to our hero?!?

 

[SEALBound]

I will be flat out floored if the Rangers don't score within the first 2 min.

 

[Night Shift]

I will be flat out floored if the Rangers don't score within the first 2 min.

It's not the regular season any more.. That's the bright spot.

 

[SomeDude]

I will be flat out floored if the Rangers don't score within the first 2 min.

I think everyone will be pretty puckered up for that minute after we score a goal, too. I've never seen a team immediately give back so many goals in a season.

 

[SEALBound]

Maybe. My money is going on us coming out flat like it's game 42 after 3 in 4 nights and the Rangers coming out flying.

I give us a 1% chance in matching the intensity in the first 10min.

Hope I'm wrong though.

I'm thinking 2019 Islanders here.

 

[gopens66]

I'm trying to be optimistic, stranger things have happened in the playoffs as far as a team remembering how to be dominant. ......we'll see.

 

[pistolpete11]

I mean I’d give the edge to the Rangers over the Pens at forward, defense, goaltending and coaching lol…maybe that says more about the Pens

Recent play aside, I think it's pretty even.

I'd take all of Crosby-Malkin-Carter-Blueger over their counterparts. Panarin/Kreider vs. Jake/Rust depends on if you believe Kreider is really a 50-goal scorer and not a 50-point player like he has been the rest of his career. If you do, obviously you'd take the Rangers. If not, ehhhh. It's pretty close. The rest of the wingers would really be splitting hairs IMO. They obviously have the youth and potential on their side, but that don't mean shit for the right here and now.

Defense, goaltending, and coaching, definitely. Especially goaltending and coaching.

 

[Allie Kitsune]

Would like a win for my birthday, but I'm used to disappointment and not getting what I want.

 

[BlindWillyMcHurt]

On paper the forwards should be a slight edge to Pittsburgh. One would think based on reputations that Sullivan should be every bit the counterpart of Gallant if not moreso. On reputation. Special teams, defense and of course goaltending all go to the Rags pretty easily.

I think it's funny that Penguins fans both simultaneously praise Sullivan and act like he's this sacred cow but also lament how terribly prepared the team seems to be most times and how often they come out flat.

 

[Andy99]

Recent play aside, I think it's pretty even.

I'd take all of Crosby-Malkin-Carter-Blueger over their counterparts. Panarin/Kreider vs. Jake/Rust depends on if you believe Kreider is really a 50-goal scorer and not a 50-point player like he has been the rest of his career. If you do, obviously you'd take the Rangers. If not, ehhhh. It's pretty close. The rest of the wingers would really be splitting hairs IMO. They obviously have the youth and potential on their side, but that don't mean shit for the right here and now.

Defense, goaltending, and coaching, definitely. Especially goaltending and coaching.

I think the Rangers have a better mix of forwards overall, that’s why I give them edge I guess…Kreider has always been a good player…slight edge over Rust and Panarin a pretty good sized edge over Jake…Panarin is not just a complimentary player but drives play…he’s like Patrick Kane…anyway, it’s splitting hairs as you say because I don’t think the forward groups are going to decide this series …it’s goaltending, STs, and which D group can hold up better, although I guess the latter has something to do with the forwards

 

[Darren McCord]

I think the Rangers have a better mix of forwards overall, that’s why I give them edge I guess…Kreider has always been a good player…slight edge over Rust and Panarin a pretty good sized edge over Jake…Panarin is not just a complimentary player but drives play…he’s like Patrick Kane…anyway, it’s splitting hairs as you say because I don’t think the forward groups are going to decide this series …it’s goaltending, STs, and which D group can hold up better, although I guess the latter has something to do with the forwards

I think the penguins in a vacuum have a better group, but the mix is off and they struggle more than they should.