Yup, Rangers are good at home. I still like our chances there, but I'd sleep a lot easier if we go in there 2-0.My only thing with this whole resting thing and taking a cautious approach is that I think it's crucial we win the first 2 games here before we have to go to the Garden.
Even if Geno is 75%, if he can help the team, even if not at full capacity, I'd play him. Try to close this **** out in 4 or 5 games and then hopefully get a little bit of rest waiting for the others to finish up.
As soon as a player is
1) cleared to play (injury is healed, no chance of reinjuring/worsening it)
2) is pain free
3) wants to play
then the player should play.
Players don't get into game shape by not playing. At some point, everyone is injured and there are diminishing returns with sitting a guy. Play whoever is ready.
it should be CRYSTAL CLEAR that they are not rushing anyone back
1) Murray sat
2) Fleury sat
b) because of this, they started Jeff Zatkoff
3) Malkin sat through the most important stretch of the year
4) Maatta sat through the most important stretch of the year
5) Rust sat
6) Most of these guys sat through the, up to that point, most important game of the year (playoff game 1)
If someone takes the ice, I think we should have some confidence that it means they are ready to take the ice.
He shows enough of Geno skating to make the Rangers prepare for him. Any preparation they do for Geno is less time they have to prepare for other things. It's a net win for Sully either way.
Fluery will be rusty too if he's back next game.
Fluery will be rusty too if he's back next game.
So does MAF play Tuesday? If not I assume he's out indefinitely. Not that Zatkoff has been awful but at this point there is no reason to not play MAF if he is cleared.
Thought Malkin looked terrible/rusty. Maybe this game will get him back to speed.
Defense was horrible overall today and that concerns me. Doums and Maata both played real bad. Obviously LJ is the easy scapegoat but it goes beyond him.
Tough to think we can beat Hank with more than 1-2 goals. Something better change and quick
Play MAF or Murray now. We've played so timid the first two games. If that doesn't change, this series won't last long.