I wish that Oates had at least once in the regular season, tried Erat on 1.
If a scoring line can't score in the playoffs, is that the time to try for the first time, all the logical combos?
I know I know MJ had .75 points per game coming back from injury. But still, the team comes first and I get the sense Oates is afraid to move him off of 1 because.... he looked great 2 weeks ago. And no one else has even been tried there in a month.
I would stick Fehr at 1LW for the odd shift. Or even move him down to 4 for a few shifts, and bump up Ward who I think has more chemistry with MP and Chimera than Beagle and Hendy
Someone tell me why Oates went with Backstrom-Brouwer and Johansson-Ovechkin for the 4 on 4s instead of Backstrom-Ovechkin.
as mentioned its the speed. probably. oates likes to use backstrom and johansson together 4 on 4 as well. so....maybe it was situational.
I was watching Oates' press conference and he said:
"Its hard for me to tell someone to shoot the puck because I never shot it myself."
I was like wtf, tell Nicky and Mojo both to shoot the god damn puck. Ovi had a monster game yesterday and he came up with a mere point. Dude would've racked it up had his linemates helped him out.
I haven't caught Alzner's struggles. I think he's generally been assertive and good with his stick.
Hillen and Erskine have been abysmal on the puck, though Erskine redeems himself with his play otherwise.
Hillen would be another poor game away from a scratch, for me.
The rest of the defense has been good.
I was watching Oates' press conference and he said:
"Its hard for me to tell someone to shoot the puck because I never shot it myself."
I was like wtf, tell Nicky and Mojo both to shoot the god damn puck..
Orlov would take his place for me, but that's not happening.Pretty much how ive seen it too....might give Hillen a little more slack (who takes his place?).
I really like 4 and what he brings.....he had a rough go behind the net where better skills would have helped but generally when that has happened it seems like its the better NYR players that are on him, and they are good at that. He's a good player
I still think 74 is going to be a very good player and is playing better, overall, than some of his mistakes indicate. Seems to also have a knack for shotblocking
It doesn't work that way Tex. Oates is not a player anymore. He's the coach. His decisions aren't based on how he played the game. Its based on what is good for this team.
I think when Oates said that it was a little bit tongue and cheek though, and I have no problem with what he said.
But what Mojo did there, with that sweet pass from Ovi... stickhandling in front of the net rather than shooting it right away, that is un-fn-acceptable.
It doesn't work that way Tex. Oates is not a player anymore. He's the coach. His decisions aren't based on how he played the game. Its based on what is good for this team.
I think when Oates said that it was a little bit tongue and cheek though, and I have no problem with what he said.
But what Mojo did there, with that sweet pass from Ovi... stickhandling in front of the net rather than shooting it right away, that is un-fn-acceptable.
i think it makes perfect sense. oates telling a player to shoot is like a junky telling a kid not to do drugs. it doesnt carry any cred. oates telling johansson he wouldnt have scored it either was also true. he wouldnt have.
i also tend to think its hard to order a pass first player to shoot. its the shoot first player that is passing too much that you tell to shoot.
i dont think you are going to get a player who is in the hall of fame because he passed the puck to tear down the idea of a pass first player passing the puck.
Orlov would take his place for me, but that's not happening.
Pretty much how ive seen it too....might give Hillen a little more slack (who takes his place?).
I really like 4 and what he brings.....he had a rough go behind the net where better skills would have helped but generally when that has happened it seems like its the better NYR players that are on him, and they are good at that. He's a good player
I still think 74 is going to be a very good player and is playing better, overall, than some of his mistakes indicate. Seems to also have a knack for shotblocking
I agree in general but in this specific case Oates could point to his career year where he was a Hart finalist.....They lost Neely (iirc) for most/all of the season and he scored 40+....still remember one against the Caps down the left side where I thought "wow, why doesnt that guy do that all the time".....so in short, he can say "we need you to think shoot when thats the play to make".....
for the record I dont think either 19 or 90 have a problem taking the shot and they both have a scorers touch.....this was just a combination of 1 pass too many and trying to make the perfect play on a goalie who seemed pretty dialed in
No way the number 10 faceoff guy in the NHL (Beagle) sits. When/if Laich comes back Hendricks, Chimmer or Ward will take a seat.
still on coffee #1 and just couldnt think of anyone.....
whats the deal with him this season and how has he been lately? Promising player
in oates presser he mentioned a couple of players having "the yips". i think he was referring to erskine who had the puck at his feet with nobody around him two or three times and fumbled around so long that a ranger player got to him and took the puck before he could manage to move it at all.
i worry about him v faster and more skilled teams, but i guess against those teams giving up just one goal wont be such a big deal.
I was watching Oates' press conference and he said:
"Its hard for me to tell someone to shoot the puck because I never shot it myself."
I was like wtf, tell Nicky and Mojo both to shoot the god damn puck. Ovi had a monster game yesterday and he came up with a mere point. Dude would've racked it up had his linemates helped him out.