Pre-Game Talk: Rangers vs. Jets - March 31, 2015 - 7pm

[EpicGingy]

We could really use Little back now.

 

[StronGeer]

@stevezipay: Rangers jetting to Winnipeg 2day (as am I, but commercial). Henrik Lundqvist expected to start Tues to continue tune-up, try to brake skid

break*

You'd think journalists would get their homophones straight.

 

[NBjet]

Jets need Little back. They can't win consistently with Slater playing on the 3rd line.

Ladd-Little-Frolik
Stafford-Scheifele-Wheeler
Perreault-Lowry-Stempniak
Tlusty-Slater-Thorbs

If Stafford starts of sluggishly (maybe new baby at home syndrome this week?), I would quickly switch Perreault and Stafford.

Yes, this... Plus Chariot in, Pardy out. We need to ice our best team and let the chips fall where they may.

 

[SensibleGuy]

maybe he meant it as "put the brakes on skid"

 

[seasontixholder*]

pretty frikkin critical frikkin game. Frik.

You don't need to change your name. That's sensible as it gets bud!

 

[NBjet]

Do we have a practice report today? Aavco?! Where you at?

 

[jetkarma*]

Do we have a practice report today? Aavco?! Where you at?

It's not at the Iceplex.

 

[ICdave]

Practice Report

Guys on ice: Ondrej Pavelec, Michael Hutchinson, Adam Pardy, Mark Stuart, Keaton Ellerby, Anthony Peluso, Matt Halischuk, Adam Lowry, Bryan Little, Lee Stempniak, TJ Galiardi, Chris Thorburn, Jay Harrison, Andrew Copp, Eric O’Dell, Ben Chiarot, Michael Frolik, Mathieu Perreault and Jiri Tlusty.

Audio from Ladd, Myers, Pavelec and Little.

To listen click here.

 

[jamiebez]

Rags have lost 3 of 4 going into this one.

They also have a 6-point lead in their division.

I know they can still get 1st in the East and the President's Trophy, but I'm hoping that doesn't matter as much as winning the division to them.

Right? RIGHT???

 

[Aavco Cup]

@friesensunmedia: Bryan Little says his status will come down to tomorrow's morning skate. #NHLJets

@friesensunmedia: Toby Enstrom not avail to talk today either; sick, apparently. #NHLJets

@MitchPeacock1: Maurice says Bryan Little will approach tomorrow as a regular game day. Adds Little would jump back in top line spot. #NHLJets #cbcmb

 

[StronGeer]

Was Matty still on the 4th line today?

 

[Aavco Cup]

Was Matty still on the 4th line today?

It was an optional skate. No Ladd Lowry Wheeler Scheifele or Stafford. Only Frolik from the top 6. But there was this

@MitchPeacock1: Maurice wants to get Perreault on wing & up the lineup asap. Doesn't want to mess with success,but good players gotta play. #NHLJets #cbcmb

 

[Master Scheif]

It was an optional skate. No Ladd Lowry Wheeler Scheifele or Stafford. Only Frolik from the top 6. But there was this

@MitchPeacock1: Maurice wants to get Perreault on wing & up the lineup asap. Doesn't want to mess with success,but good players gotta play. #NHLJets #cbcmb

Sooo...

Ladd-Little-Fro
Perry-Scheif-Wheels
Tlusty-Lowry-Stafford
Thorburn-Slater-Stempniak

Is that what we're looking at?

 

[ICdave]

Coach Maurice scrum: How does he get past last night’s loss? How would he assess last night’s game? Good performance? How does he use this as a teaching tool or does he just put in on the shelf? His thoughts on Perreault’s game. Does he look for anything in tomorrow’s game early on? Would he be comfortable with the style of play from the Chicago game in the game against New York? Little expected to play? Is Chiarot ready? Philosophy on getting players back into the game but also on taking players who have been playing well for the team. On guys being willing to do whatever it takes to be successful for the team to win. Does Lowry give the top line more space? Update on Enstrom. Sharing his goalie decision.

To listen click here.

 

[Whileee]

Sooo...

Ladd-Little-Fro
Perry-Scheif-Wheels
Tlusty-Lowry-Stafford
Thorburn-Slater-Stempniak

Is that what we're looking at?

I would go with that. Good balance of speed and size. I'd like to see Stafford back to RW. He's struggled a bit in his own zone against quick teams.

 

[bluefan]

60 minutes Jets. 60 minutes.

/mic drop

 

[Savagestevo]

The Rangers have been struggling a little lately, hopefully that continues for just one more game.

 

[Romang67]

Sooo...

Ladd-Little-Fro
Perry-Scheif-Wheels
Tlusty-Lowry-Stafford
Thorburn-Slater-Stempniak

Is that what we're looking at?

 

[Howard Chuck]

Sooo...

Ladd-Little-Fro
Perry-Scheif-Wheels
Tlusty-Lowry-Stafford
Thorburn-Slater-Stempniak

Is that what we're looking at?

That would make me happy

 

[JC Numminen]

I'll be there. 3rd of the year for me. I am 1-0-1, so a point for sure??

GJG!

 

[HannuJ]

It might be a situation where we are pulling our goalie in a tie game to keep them from getting that extra point. Do not look forward to that lol.

i was actually wondering if they would consider doing that last night

 

[YWGinYYZ]

Sooo...

Ladd-Little-Fro
Perry-Scheif-Wheels
Tlusty-Lowry-Stafford
Thorburn-Slater-Stempniak

Is that what we're looking at?

I'd be happy with that.

I could also see (based on Maurice saying in the past he wants to limit disruption):

Ladd - Little - Fro
Stafford - Scheif - Wheels
Perreault - Lowry - Stempniak
Tlusty - Slater - Thorbs

That keeps Tlusty and Slater together, inserts Little onto the first, and leaves the 2nd / 1b line as it is. I'd be happy with either. If you want some big bodies on Perreault's line, then swap Stempniak and Thorbs, which would also leave the '4th' line as it was last game, changing only the top and 3rd lines.

 

[Howard Chuck]

I'd be happy with that.

I could also see (based on Maurice saying in the past he wants to limit disruption):

Ladd - Little - Fro
Stafford - Scheif - Wheels
Perreault - Lowry - Stempniak
Tlusty - Slater - Thorbs

That keeps Tlusty and Slater together, inserts Little onto the first, and leaves the 2nd / 1b line as it is. I'd be happy with either. If you want some big bodies on Perreault's line, then swap Stempniak and Thorbs, which would also leave the '4th' line as it was last game, changing only the top and 3rd lines.

I can see the value of that. But I would prefer to see us 'stack' the 1a 1b lines now that we have the depth to make the bottom 6 decent as well. I think that spreading the talent out too much will decrease our overall team output. Lord knows we could use that output right about now.

 

[jetsforever]

Stafford has the longest active point streak in the NHL - I don't know if I want to break up his line:

LLF
SSW
PLS
TST

 

[Samcanadian]

On my white board at the office I have

Ladd-Little-Frolik
Stafford-Scheifele-Wheeler
Lowry-Perreault-Tlusty
Stempniak-Slater-Thorburn