Post-Game Talk: Panthers @ Rangers - Groundhog's Day/RIP in peace Papa John's

[nyr2k2]

3 points behind Isles with a game in hand. 2 points behind Pens with 2 games in hand.

Leading the division in ROW.

 

[ReggieDunlop68]

Our defense has been poor and Lundqvist has had a bad season. And yet, we're somehow like third in GA/G. Amazing how that works.

And AV doesn't know what he's doing either, so I'm utterly confused that we aren't winless.

 

[Joey Bones]

Is it me or did Zuccarello just sound like he just played his last game in a Ranger jersey? The post game interview was really depressing on his part.

 

[Doctyl]

Didn't Anson Carter say Rick Nash was done being a goal scorer in this league after the playoffs last season?

 

[ReggieDunlop68]

Not really - he already has 5 more goals in 17 less games than he had all of last year.

He's been a force this season and it's pretty clear the concussion changed his play last year. Can't say a negative thing about the guy this year. Nothing. MVP type season for him.

Did you read the post to which I responded. The disclaimer gets lost in translation on it's own.

 

[haohmaru]

Is it me or did Zuccarello just sound like he just played his last game in a Ranger jersey? The post game interview was really depressing on his part.

I sign him and say bye bye to St. Louis if I'm the Rangers.

 

[SnowblindNYR]

Honestly, I know Florida is almost a playoff team but parts of this game were VERY poorly played. I'm legit worried.

 

[Vidic15*]

Is it me or did Zuccarello just sound like he just played his last game in a Ranger jersey? The post game interview was really depressing on his part.

He's just depressed at having to answer Al's dumb questions.

 

[BB58]

I think it would be a mistake trading away Zucc.

 

[vladmyir111]

why is it that every time nash has been tied for the league lead in goals with games in hand over seguin and ovechkin he still shows up in second? seems like bad math there.

 

[ReggieDunlop68]

Is it me or did Zuccarello just sound like he just played his last game in a Ranger jersey? The post game interview was really depressing on his part.

Or he was exhausted, yet he had to immediately give an interview with Al.

 

[haohmaru]

Did you read the post to which I responded. The disclaimer gets lost in translation on it's own.

Yes, I did. The NYR fan base was down on Nash well before the playoffs started. "Invisible" "defensive liability" "has slowed down" "can't skate" "never is in front of the net" etc...

I actually thought he played better in the playoffs than he did during the season - but I look at more than scoring.

 

[Doctyl]

Is it me or did Zuccarello just sound like he just played his last game in a Ranger jersey? The post game interview was really depressing on his part.

Everyone talking to Al sounds like that except Nash. Nash just stares into my soul

 

[Synergy27]

I sign him and say bye bye to St. Louis if I'm the Rangers.

I mean really, I don't understand how this is even a conversation anymore. Part of me wants to use the fact that MSL is a more marketable player as a reason, but MSG ****ing LOVES Zuccarello. I want not part of MSL next season if:

1. He costs more than 2.5M

OR

2. Signing him means letting MZA walk, regardless of MSL's price

 

[Machinehead]

Yeah it's totally just Al

 

[darko]

Leading the division in ROW.

Only Tampa and Nashville have more.

 

[eco's bones]

An ugly win. It didn't have to be that hard. Still what matters is the two points and no one was injured.

 

[darko]

I sign him and say bye bye to St. Louis if I'm the Rangers.

Leaning more and more towards that as well.

 

[ReggieDunlop68]

Yes, I did. The NYR fan base was down on Nash well before the playoffs started. "Invisible" "defensive liability" "has slowed down" "can't skate" "never is in front of the net" etc...

I actually thought he played better in the playoffs than he did during the season - but I look at more than scoring.

Uhhh, I'm not going to touch this one again. I spent a month talking about it.

 

[Raspewtin]

And yet the Rangers are 4th in the league in GA/GP. I suppose you could argue that that's due to goaltending, but many people here think Hank has been underwhelming overall as well.

All defenders make mistakes, on every team. That's how goals are scored. Fortunately for us the Rangers defenders tend to do so less often than most other teams, hence them winning a lot.

It's not that defenders make mistakes, it's that

1. Girardi is barely an NHL defenseman without Staal or McDonagh on his side. If this season of McDonagh not saving his ass doesn't prove that, I don't know what will.

2. McDonagh is barely playing NHL hockey, seriously, I have no idea how we're not paying more consistently for all his garbage giveaways, and all the times he gets burned.

3. This D just can't move the puck. Girardi sucks at it. Klein sucks at it. McDonagh sucks REALLY BAD at it right now. You can't transition with defenders that can't make passes, or skate with the puck. They have to be capable of making quick decisions. This defense isn't. Half of them give the puck away as much as they make accurate outlet passes.

4. The only real good puck mover Dan Boyle takes a lot of chances and looks to drive the play. That's not a bad thing, but it is when he's THE ONLY defenseman that's above average with the puck lately.

I sign him and say bye bye to St. Louis if I'm the Rangers.

Yeah, this.

 

[Ori]

Nice with a home win.
LGR!

 

[darko]

God forbid the puck gets caught up in Staals skates and cant make a crisp play out of the zone...Get rid of him he sucks! Some need to look at why the puck ended up in his skates and think before you type

Exactly. Cant believe him got the blame for that. MSl was only few feet away and he passed the puck into Staal's feet.

 

[haohmaru]

I mean really, I don't understand how this is even a conversation anymore. Part of me wants to use the fact that MSL is a more marketable player as a reason, but MSG ****ing LOVES Zuccarello. I want not part of MSL next season if:

1. He costs more than 2.5M

OR

2. Signing him means letting MZA walk, regardless of MSL's price

Totally with you on that. The man looks tired out there now. I'd rest him and slot Miller in here and there at this point. Zucc's points aren't where they need to be, but he's improved defensively tremendously and it's pretty clear he's an inspiration to his teammates. I hope Sather sees the forest through the trees.

 

[pjr378]

The defense needs sorting out, and fast. When your 3rd pairing is giving the best performance of the 6, Helen Keller sees something wrong. McDonagh and Girardi were horrible, Stall and Klein were only marginally better. Klein actually has me more worried than McDonagh because he's been our most consistent Dman this season and now seems to be tailing off. Unless we trade, the pairings are pretty much set for the rest of the year because Boyle and Moore on the 3rd doesn't allow for much interchange. But I guess there's always Hunwick.

Another good game from Hayes and Nash is still a monster. Some people criticized Zucc but I thought he was pretty solid. The Brassard line did a lot of good in deep but Hagelin and Fast aren't scorers, so DB's talents are really wasted there.

Did MSL retire and not tell anyone yet? He should visit the casinos in Vegas and present his world famous disappearing act. We talk about how Glass is taking up Miller's place in the lineup, how about we scratch MSL next game and play Miller with Nash?

 

[CDiablo]

Looked ok against a mid level team. Not an acceptable level of play if we want to win Wednesday.

2 goals were deflected in by Panthers, we lucked out this one.

Defense not looking great. Only guy I feel has been pretty consistent is Klein. Hank left for dead on all 3.

Hopefully the game and goals spark the slumping players on the team.