Why does Rick Nash struggle in the playoffs?

[The Grim Reaper*]

In comparison to the regular season, Rick Nash has struggled in the playoffs. Why do you think this is?

GP: 45
G: 6
A: 16

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[I Hate Blake Coleman]

Can't handle the pressure.

 

[Islanderfan17]

Can't handle the pressure.

Pretty much this. Some players just disappear when the pressure is there, Nash is kind of one of them. Great regular season guy, extremely overrated for the playoffs.

 

[FlyerFaithful17]

Pretty much this. Some players just disappear when the pressure is there, Nash is kind of one of them. Great regular season guy, extremely overrated for the playoffs.

I would say he's accurately rated as a poor playoff performer.

 

[Gene Parmesan]

Doesn't go to the net.

 

[The Grim Reaper*]

Doesn't go to the net.

Now that you mention it, this is a great observation.

 

[nhldiedinthe90s*]

I'll get crushed for saying this ha.

He's not as talented as his regular season numbers imply.

Plainly- guys float more in the regular season. Nasher rarely gets big time goals when the game is tight. Rarely did for Columbus, rarely does for the Rags.

Elite skill in the big moments against top defenders? Nasher? Nah.

Hitchcock helped turn him into an extremely talented two way player who kills penalties exceptionally well. But he's not a top tier hockey player.

 

[Pancakes]

It's hard for everyone to score in the playoffs. Look at Crosby this series. He's had to scratch and claw just to get 2g 2a through 5 games. Ovechkin has 3 points through 5 games.

It's really really hard to score in the playoffs.

 

[Gene Parmesan]

Now that you mention it, this is a great observation.

He takes a lot of low percentage shots and doesn't crash the net. It's not like he lacks the physical ability to get to these spots. Just doesn't adjust his game.

 

[Doctyl]

P/G so far this year

 

[OVs Gold Chain*]

Just a guy who understands basic economics and the bait & switch sales strategy. You don't want to score too much in the playoffs, then the team gets too much value from your contract.

 

[KingWantsCup]

How is Pittsburgh's defense always set when the Rangers rush the zone smfh.

 

[Frank Garrett]

Because life is tough...






for Rick Nash.

 

[aufheben]

He's been good this year. *Shrugs*

 

[613Leafer]

It's hard for everyone to score in the playoffs. Look at Crosby this series. He's had to scratch and claw just to get 2g 2a through 5 games. Ovechkin has 3 points through 5 games.

It's really really hard to score in the playoffs.

Yea, those are isolated series. Look at career playoff stats.

Crosby: 117 pts in 99 games (97 pt pace through 82 games)
Ovechkin: 64 pts in 63 games (83 pt pace)
Nash: 22 pts in 45 games (41 pt pace)

Sure, guys see their point per game pace drop a little bit (some guys see it go up though). Nash's career playoff stats are MUCH lower than his career pace, ESPECIALLY the goal scoring (6 career playoff goals).

 

[ECanuck]

Yea, those are isolated series. Look at career playoff stats.

Crosby: 117 pts in 99 games (97 pt pace through 82 games)
Ovechkin: 64 pts in 63 games (83 pt pace)
Nash: 22 pts in 45 games (41 pt pace)

Sure, guys see their point per game pace drop a little bit (some guys see it go up though). Nash's career playoff stats are MUCH lower than his career pace, ESPECIALLY the goal scoring (6 career playoff goals).

In defense of Nash, Crosby and Ovechkin were surrounded by way better players.

 

[MisterUnspoken]

Rick Nash is playing well. It's too bad he doesn't score more goals but I'm content with him getting the points where he can. Plus defensively he is helping the team keep the puck out of the net.

 

[Steezer99]

Too much pressure. Also why he is not a superstar

 

[we like our team*]

"nash is playing well he just isn't scoring" was the excuse made last year too

 

[sbjnyc]

He plays both ends of the ice and is tied for the team lead with 4 points in 5 games. Can't complain too much. Plus MAF played very well.

 

[613Leafer]

In defense of Nash, Crosby and Ovechkin were surrounded by way better players.

Neither Crosby nor Malkin play with elite linemates. The vast majority of Nash's playoff games have been in NY, where he's playing with comparable calibre players to what those guys play with.

And ultimately we're comparing their production to themselves from the regular season, where they play with the same linemates. Nash's production simply drops dramatically in the post-season so far in his career.

 

[Lua]

"nash is playing well he just isn't scoring" was the excuse made last year too

It's more of an observation than an excuse. He had 4 points in 5 games in a low scoring series against the Pens.

That said, I agree that he hasn't been driving as hard to the net as he did in the first three quarters of the regular season.

 

[Boruto]

.800 P/G = not good enough

 

[aufheben]

"nash is playing well he just isn't scoring" was the excuse made last year too

He leads the team in points and his line has been dominant.

 

[Cassano]

Small sample sizes.

And he's a 2-way player and frankly should've been nominated for the Selke. Shutdown Crosby.