What I never understood in today's sport's world was the regular season MVP and the playoffs MVP. Mainly there is one reason for this, and maybe its the wrong reason because announcers and sports casters are for the most part complete idiots. Many of them will say stupid things like I would give my vote to Alexander Ovechkin if the Capitals make the playoffs if not then I would have to go in a different direction. That is an actual quote by the way from some retard at versus. Which is completely ridiculous if the player is good enough to be the regular season MVP on a team that doesn't make the playoffs he deserves the award.
Would anyone deny a goalie with virtually no defense in front of him the MVP if he went 35-35 with 32 shut outs and a 0.83 GAA? Chances are this team does not make the playoffs and this goalie is a gift from god to this team but even more likely they don't make the playoffs because there is a small chance that any goalie beyond him is winning 12 games to put them over the edge.
If a team can only mustard 175 goals in a season and gives up 400+ but there best scored scores 100 goals and 50 assists. This team isn't going to the playoffs but he scored 100 goals for a team where he is clearly the only weapon... Where is his trophy? Where is his award. He was clearly the most valuable player on his team and probably in the league. But are we saying that he won't get consider or would not get the award because he couldn't lead his team to a playoff berth? That is horseshit.
The whole idea of the award is to award it to the most valuable player for a team in the league. Now I know most of these are ridiculous circumstances but it is still possible (maybe) but let's face it the award there to honor greatness over an 82 game regular season. Whether or not their team makes the playoffs shouldn't be a pre-qualifier to being an MVP. Now I completely understand in case 2 the player in question not playing in 10-15 games, because of injury, and his team winning each game and pitching a shut out then. Chances are he isn't the most valuable player. Or in case one if the goalie was hurt for 12 games and they won each of those games. Maybe the goalie is becoming a distraction after giving up a goal and his team just can't score. Those are exceptions.
Chances are shit like this will never happen, and most likely the player that deserves the MVP will be in the playoffs but saying something like he doesn't deserve it because he team wasn't good enough is ridiculous and stupid.
Kevin out
Tuesday, May 13, 2008
Thursday, May 1, 2008
Plan of action
Down 3-0 in a series can pretty much take a team out of the running for anything. Along with the injuries suffered in game 3 there is well slim chance this pulls out for the Rangers this year. I am not ready to look forward to next season yet. Jagr seems crazier than ever, Drury is hurt but when hasn’t a completely hobbled player not helped out his team when he was injured (see Kurt Gibson, Paul Kariya and I am sure many others). This game can be won at this point. It is first and foremost time for the Rangers to stop worrying about the pens and their inability to skate. Even though it got Jagr all riled up last game he would have been better on the ice than in the penalty box. The Rangers do have an opportunity to make history here. Each game of this series so far they have been in the game up until the end. It’s time for the leaders of this team to stand up and make a stand along with Jagr. Shanny’s age is beginning to show out there as his ice time and scoring has been decreasing each game. Straka has played well but has missed a couple of open net chances albeit from great defensive positioning but should have been goals. Besides the fact that on some plays he is drifting out behind the net when he should be crashing the net when a shot is about to be taken.
Drury and Gomez it is there time. It is right now this game to prove to us as fans and to the management this is why you are here. Because let’s face it folks there is a good chance and a very good chance at that; that all 3 captains will not return next season to lead this team. Straka appears to have lost some speed and skill and will most likely not be resigned, Jagr appears on his way to Russia and Shanny has lost too much skill to re-up if not for a very low price and just as a fourth line player. It’s time for an injured Drury and a partially healthy Gomez to lead the charge tonight.
It was good to see the other night that a Ranger’s defenseman actually faked a shot once a penguin’s player went down onto his stomach instead of hammering it into his side. Turns out the game plan of shooting the puck through a solid object is not working out. Change of plans on the attack would do the Rangers justice too. Let’s face it the defense is solid in there own end but there is no Brian Leetch back there, so stop passing it to them so much. The cycle that the forwards put so much effort in to starting is lost nearly every time the puck goes to the point. Funnel the puck too the net and get garbage goals, but in order to get these things to work the forwards need (and I will stress this need) to hustle to the loose pucks in front of the net. The reason why the 5 on 3 failed (besides slow passing and a very passive attitude) is because instead of one of the 5 rangers getting to a loose puck in front of the net one of the 3 penguins we clearing the puck. Why? Well by the time the puck was actually visible all the rangers had crashed the net and instead of the defense taking a chance down 2-0 in the series and one crashing the net and getting to the loose puck they stood back and watched them clear it. Block a clearing pass with your body for god’s sake you do it all the time in the pk but not on a weak clearing attempt.
More hustle and more desperation is the name of the game tonight. Lines are up in the air at this point because I don’t know who is playing. Avery is out, and Betts is out for sure. Drury chance are will go unless he can’t lift his arm. If he is going to look as useless as he did last game keep him out of the lineup please Renney. I would have to say mix it up a bit on the first line.
Dawes – Dubinsky - Jagr
Callahan - Gomez - Shanny
Sjostrom - Straka - Prucha
Strudwick – Hollweg – Orr
With these lines I am assuming Drury is out. If he is able to play here is what I am thinking.
Straka-Dubinsky-Jagr
Dawes-Gomez-Callahan
Sjostrom-Drury-Prucha
Orr-Hollweg-Shanahan
I moved Shanny to the 4th line because of A) age and B) Callahan and Dawes have played well together. I also wouldn’t mind seeing Dawes, Prucha or Sjostrom on line 1 and Straka play with Drury in case he is unable to take draws again.
The key point on the pens attack tonight most likely will be a sit back and wait for the Rangers to make mistake so they can take advantage of it. They will most likely come out strong and go to the net and try to get the lead so they can play that game. Jump on them early and stay on them all game long. Bring this game back to Pittsburgh! Best of luck boys, and I am beginning to hunker down for a long series.
UPDATE: DRURY WILL ATTEMPT TO PLAY MOST LIKELY, AND LAURI KORPIKOSKI WILL MAKE HIS NHL DEBUT TONIGHT IN BETT'S PLACE. NO WORD ON THE LINES YET. OR WHO WILL REPLACE AVERY IN THE LINEUP. BACKMAN IS OUT STRUDWICK IN ON THE BACKEND OF THINGS.
Drury and Gomez it is there time. It is right now this game to prove to us as fans and to the management this is why you are here. Because let’s face it folks there is a good chance and a very good chance at that; that all 3 captains will not return next season to lead this team. Straka appears to have lost some speed and skill and will most likely not be resigned, Jagr appears on his way to Russia and Shanny has lost too much skill to re-up if not for a very low price and just as a fourth line player. It’s time for an injured Drury and a partially healthy Gomez to lead the charge tonight.
It was good to see the other night that a Ranger’s defenseman actually faked a shot once a penguin’s player went down onto his stomach instead of hammering it into his side. Turns out the game plan of shooting the puck through a solid object is not working out. Change of plans on the attack would do the Rangers justice too. Let’s face it the defense is solid in there own end but there is no Brian Leetch back there, so stop passing it to them so much. The cycle that the forwards put so much effort in to starting is lost nearly every time the puck goes to the point. Funnel the puck too the net and get garbage goals, but in order to get these things to work the forwards need (and I will stress this need) to hustle to the loose pucks in front of the net. The reason why the 5 on 3 failed (besides slow passing and a very passive attitude) is because instead of one of the 5 rangers getting to a loose puck in front of the net one of the 3 penguins we clearing the puck. Why? Well by the time the puck was actually visible all the rangers had crashed the net and instead of the defense taking a chance down 2-0 in the series and one crashing the net and getting to the loose puck they stood back and watched them clear it. Block a clearing pass with your body for god’s sake you do it all the time in the pk but not on a weak clearing attempt.
More hustle and more desperation is the name of the game tonight. Lines are up in the air at this point because I don’t know who is playing. Avery is out, and Betts is out for sure. Drury chance are will go unless he can’t lift his arm. If he is going to look as useless as he did last game keep him out of the lineup please Renney. I would have to say mix it up a bit on the first line.
Dawes – Dubinsky - Jagr
Callahan - Gomez - Shanny
Sjostrom - Straka - Prucha
Strudwick – Hollweg – Orr
With these lines I am assuming Drury is out. If he is able to play here is what I am thinking.
Straka-Dubinsky-Jagr
Dawes-Gomez-Callahan
Sjostrom-Drury-Prucha
Orr-Hollweg-Shanahan
I moved Shanny to the 4th line because of A) age and B) Callahan and Dawes have played well together. I also wouldn’t mind seeing Dawes, Prucha or Sjostrom on line 1 and Straka play with Drury in case he is unable to take draws again.
The key point on the pens attack tonight most likely will be a sit back and wait for the Rangers to make mistake so they can take advantage of it. They will most likely come out strong and go to the net and try to get the lead so they can play that game. Jump on them early and stay on them all game long. Bring this game back to Pittsburgh! Best of luck boys, and I am beginning to hunker down for a long series.
UPDATE: DRURY WILL ATTEMPT TO PLAY MOST LIKELY, AND LAURI KORPIKOSKI WILL MAKE HIS NHL DEBUT TONIGHT IN BETT'S PLACE. NO WORD ON THE LINES YET. OR WHO WILL REPLACE AVERY IN THE LINEUP. BACKMAN IS OUT STRUDWICK IN ON THE BACKEND OF THINGS.
Monday, April 28, 2008
To all those who don't know already know.
Alright I know it has been a long time. First congrats on the win over the devils where I got to watch the greatest goalie in the history of the world (lies) fall apart because of a couple of bumps and a few choice words. Wow, good luck next year when he does the same thing to you again... Sorry Marty as long as the Rangers and Avery are anywhere near the playoffs it looks like you won't be advancing past them... Well until you are relieved from your duties as Devil's goalie or you retire then you have a chance.
Moving on... So far the Penguins and the refs have sufficiently put the rangers in a whole down 2-0. Yes, the Rangers can and still might win this series but they need to stop worrying about whether or not Sydney Crosby can skate because let's face it. His inability to remain on his feet is what is driving the Rangers up the wall. Let's let the coach (who shouldn't bring it up again until the series is over) and the media bring it up and mock this piece of shit out the door because this diving shit is getting ridiculous. So my advice let him fall let him do whatever, go down with him or just give him a stick to the face. Avery has got the right idea. Nothing better than hitting a diver when he is down with a stick because it is not... and I will repeat this for the refs (who don't read this blog) NOT HIGH STICKING! Make him eat the stick he will stop falling down if he either catches a knee to the face, a slap shot in his face, or a stick to the face. Why isn't the NHL saying anything? This is probably the best question of the evening... Hell even the black father from Mighty Ducks wouldn't stand for his kid's diving why should Gary Bettman? For fuck sake are you telling me that the refs and the authority figures in a fucking Disney movie are better than at the NHL level??? Come on now Gary. Now I know Sid the kid doesn't have much free time because he is god's gift to the NHL with all of the publicity that he has been doing since he got to this level, but come on now a prerequisite to coming to the NHL is being able to skate if you can't do that go away.
2 penalties where no amount of yelling, screaming or complaining could possibly cover how angry I was. Dubinsky for tripping a player he did not touch, and Straka for interfering with a player who ran into him; not the other way around. Who drew both of those? Damn it was 87... looks like there is another new rule in the NHL its the 87 rule, whichever ref gets the most calls for the Penguins when Sydney hits the ice gets next season off, all expenses paid salary included for the to someplace warm for the winter.
Let's face it though, Lundqvist was sub-par in game one and so was the defense so they in the end, because of a bad call lost the game. Not a good thing... and I hate when the referees influence the outcome of the game, but the Rangers put themselves in that position. Game 2 more of the same when the complained they got more penalties called the other way, and got more powerplays... to no avail because not one person on it knows what he is supposed to be doing. Dubinsky stop carrying the puck and get to the front of the net and don't move. Let Straka and Jagr play with the puck. No need for you to do anything but be a distraction and take up a man. Group 2 patience!!!!! Someone show the defensemen the tape of Paul Martin scoring that goal in the first series, for the love of god fake a shot get someone on their stomach and move! It's not that hard if a Devil's player not named Niedermayer or Rafalski can do you can too. It's not all that hard, fake the shot and move then shoot or pass. Seriously, if we can find away to miss the net more or hit more shin pads that are wearing black socks I will be impressed.
Alright until next game where I will surely be drunk as I make my next post.
Moving on... So far the Penguins and the refs have sufficiently put the rangers in a whole down 2-0. Yes, the Rangers can and still might win this series but they need to stop worrying about whether or not Sydney Crosby can skate because let's face it. His inability to remain on his feet is what is driving the Rangers up the wall. Let's let the coach (who shouldn't bring it up again until the series is over) and the media bring it up and mock this piece of shit out the door because this diving shit is getting ridiculous. So my advice let him fall let him do whatever, go down with him or just give him a stick to the face. Avery has got the right idea. Nothing better than hitting a diver when he is down with a stick because it is not... and I will repeat this for the refs (who don't read this blog) NOT HIGH STICKING! Make him eat the stick he will stop falling down if he either catches a knee to the face, a slap shot in his face, or a stick to the face. Why isn't the NHL saying anything? This is probably the best question of the evening... Hell even the black father from Mighty Ducks wouldn't stand for his kid's diving why should Gary Bettman? For fuck sake are you telling me that the refs and the authority figures in a fucking Disney movie are better than at the NHL level??? Come on now Gary. Now I know Sid the kid doesn't have much free time because he is god's gift to the NHL with all of the publicity that he has been doing since he got to this level, but come on now a prerequisite to coming to the NHL is being able to skate if you can't do that go away.
2 penalties where no amount of yelling, screaming or complaining could possibly cover how angry I was. Dubinsky for tripping a player he did not touch, and Straka for interfering with a player who ran into him; not the other way around. Who drew both of those? Damn it was 87... looks like there is another new rule in the NHL its the 87 rule, whichever ref gets the most calls for the Penguins when Sydney hits the ice gets next season off, all expenses paid salary included for the to someplace warm for the winter.
Let's face it though, Lundqvist was sub-par in game one and so was the defense so they in the end, because of a bad call lost the game. Not a good thing... and I hate when the referees influence the outcome of the game, but the Rangers put themselves in that position. Game 2 more of the same when the complained they got more penalties called the other way, and got more powerplays... to no avail because not one person on it knows what he is supposed to be doing. Dubinsky stop carrying the puck and get to the front of the net and don't move. Let Straka and Jagr play with the puck. No need for you to do anything but be a distraction and take up a man. Group 2 patience!!!!! Someone show the defensemen the tape of Paul Martin scoring that goal in the first series, for the love of god fake a shot get someone on their stomach and move! It's not that hard if a Devil's player not named Niedermayer or Rafalski can do you can too. It's not all that hard, fake the shot and move then shoot or pass. Seriously, if we can find away to miss the net more or hit more shin pads that are wearing black socks I will be impressed.
Alright until next game where I will surely be drunk as I make my next post.
Monday, March 31, 2008
K-will hates Syd the Kid
Anyone else getting sick of this Sydney Crosby crap? I can’t deal with it anymore. He isn’t even the best young player in the league and I am sick and tired of him being touted as the next Wayne Gretzky. I don’t mean to rain on the NHL’s parade but at this rate, which will be somewhat constant from here on out at about 110 points a season, Sydney will have to participate in 26 NHL seasons. Given his first injury prone season, has already happened expect a lot more of those in the future especially if he continues to play the way he played yesterday against the Rangers. The more this little punk runs his mouth and cross-checks veterans the closer he is to getting his face punched in by… who knows (most likely Chris Simon) any goon in the league. I don’t care if you have Laraque to stand up for him. Not many people will stand for that.
My advice to the Penguins; tell Crosby to stop starting shit with other players and make sure you keep a goon on that roster. Because the second that a Shaun Avery type player, who can skate, hit and fight is the day Crosby drops in the corner only 2 get up on a stretcher. Go ahead bring Laraque out there and that player will be able to defend himself and he is officially neutralized. Let’s face it, you advertize this kid as much as you do and the success will go to your head. Ovechkin will spend his entire career (most likely) on a team that will make the playoffs 2 – 5 times. Crosby will make the playoffs with the league’s help every year. Yes, I said it let them play stop giving the pens every benefit call and 17 powerplays a game. At least try to not make it completely obvious that you are a 1 player league. For Fuck sake it is a little ridiculous, because at this point and time people know Sydney Crosby for all the wrong reasons.
The only reason why anyone knows is his is because it is on everything. Everything. He is in his 3rd year in the league. Make him prove himself a little more it’s great that he is young and very skilled but make him earn something before he is given the benefit on every call. Did anyone catch his reaction to the icing call he got? Even though he beat the Ranger defensemen to the puck icing, the whistle blew. Sydney almost shit himself. He couldn’t believe he didn’t get that call. Apparently the refs thought that meant he can get away with 54 vicious cross checks for the linesman’s insolence.
NBC needs to calm down with this bullshit as well. It’s a Penguin’s broadcast now. That is it. They don’t care who is watching the game… the only team on the ice is from Pittsburgh. The NHL broadcasters used to say the following thing and this was all the time when the Rangers were bad. “As the Ranger’s go so does the NHL.” The Ranger’s occupy the biggest market in the NHL. There are 3 teams within what 20 miles of each other because the market is so big. Yet yesterday the national broadcast for the NHL’s game of the week was a completely partial broadcast highlighting how awesome the Penguins are. Good news though there is no chance they will win the Stanley Cup. Because they are not built to handle anyone in the West and to be honest (judging by the Ranger’s record against the west neither are the Rangers).
Here is my final say on this. If a player is to receive preferential treatment they should deserve it and not just be a poster boy for something. Super he has led the league or been close to the lead 2 years in a row, but by no means is he the league’s only superstar. It took many players years to get to the point where they got a little bit of preferential treatment. Brendan Shanahan, Nick Lidstrom, Scott Niedermayer, and before this list get too long I’m going to stop myself, but they all deserve that opposed to a 3rd year player. Make someone earn the right to be a superstar, 2 good seasons do not equal a hockey god... It makes you Eric Lindros and at this point with the way Sydney is starting to act I hope he starts skating with his head down. I never thought I would say this but, where is Scott Stevens when you need him?
My advice to the Penguins; tell Crosby to stop starting shit with other players and make sure you keep a goon on that roster. Because the second that a Shaun Avery type player, who can skate, hit and fight is the day Crosby drops in the corner only 2 get up on a stretcher. Go ahead bring Laraque out there and that player will be able to defend himself and he is officially neutralized. Let’s face it, you advertize this kid as much as you do and the success will go to your head. Ovechkin will spend his entire career (most likely) on a team that will make the playoffs 2 – 5 times. Crosby will make the playoffs with the league’s help every year. Yes, I said it let them play stop giving the pens every benefit call and 17 powerplays a game. At least try to not make it completely obvious that you are a 1 player league. For Fuck sake it is a little ridiculous, because at this point and time people know Sydney Crosby for all the wrong reasons.
The only reason why anyone knows is his is because it is on everything. Everything. He is in his 3rd year in the league. Make him prove himself a little more it’s great that he is young and very skilled but make him earn something before he is given the benefit on every call. Did anyone catch his reaction to the icing call he got? Even though he beat the Ranger defensemen to the puck icing, the whistle blew. Sydney almost shit himself. He couldn’t believe he didn’t get that call. Apparently the refs thought that meant he can get away with 54 vicious cross checks for the linesman’s insolence.
NBC needs to calm down with this bullshit as well. It’s a Penguin’s broadcast now. That is it. They don’t care who is watching the game… the only team on the ice is from Pittsburgh. The NHL broadcasters used to say the following thing and this was all the time when the Rangers were bad. “As the Ranger’s go so does the NHL.” The Ranger’s occupy the biggest market in the NHL. There are 3 teams within what 20 miles of each other because the market is so big. Yet yesterday the national broadcast for the NHL’s game of the week was a completely partial broadcast highlighting how awesome the Penguins are. Good news though there is no chance they will win the Stanley Cup. Because they are not built to handle anyone in the West and to be honest (judging by the Ranger’s record against the west neither are the Rangers).
Here is my final say on this. If a player is to receive preferential treatment they should deserve it and not just be a poster boy for something. Super he has led the league or been close to the lead 2 years in a row, but by no means is he the league’s only superstar. It took many players years to get to the point where they got a little bit of preferential treatment. Brendan Shanahan, Nick Lidstrom, Scott Niedermayer, and before this list get too long I’m going to stop myself, but they all deserve that opposed to a 3rd year player. Make someone earn the right to be a superstar, 2 good seasons do not equal a hockey god... It makes you Eric Lindros and at this point with the way Sydney is starting to act I hope he starts skating with his head down. I never thought I would say this but, where is Scott Stevens when you need him?
Thursday, February 7, 2008
Good good good, followed closely by shitty shitty shitty.
Luckily shitty was all in 1 day... at least so far. As the Rangers have done all season long they continue to be streaky. 3 wins in a row and all good road wins followed closely by an awful performance against the worse team in the leage. Not many times have I said in my life that I would give up on something, but after this season if I was Tom Renney I would be requesting a trade. These aren't the Rangers of the late late 90s and the early 2000s this team was supposed to succeed and win easily with this roster. They had hard working players come in via free agency not danglers and past their prime high key players. They got Chris Drury (who has finally decided to start playing) and Scott Gomez. Both in thier prime superstars in the NHL, I use superstar lightly but they are in most people's eyes mostly because they signed big deals with the largest market team, but still in that class nonetheless. What Sather didn't count on is Jagr not being there at all, and the defense having a collapse and King Henrik seem to fall apart all mid-season. Was there anything anyone could have done. Probably not but if that was me walking into the lockeroom on tuesday night, I would have had nothing to say... nothing. I most likely would have stood there silent for 10 to 15 minutes without saying a word. Then left. There is no amount of words that can explain that loss on tuesday other than being not mentally prepared which is a joke in the situation they are in. With the players that they have on their roster, the leadership the veterans, the expectations all should have easily pushed them in front of the Kings on tuesday night. What did they get bad defensive turnovers and mistakes that shouldn't have been made.
In the NHL these days on any given night anyone can beat anyone. There is too much talent on every team up and down to be thinking this will be an easy game. Every night, every game needs 100% effort without a doubt. And like many other games this season it wasn't all there. None of it was there. The Rangers aren't the Red Wings, and the Red Wings are the only team in the NHL that is even close to that level where they can give a little less effort and still win. The Rangers aren't there, and the way this season has gone, there is no room left for anything less. There are 26 games left in the season heading into tonight. For a team fighting for a playoff spot in a conference where everyone can still make it. More than half of them need to be wins, and more than that probably 75%-80% need to be wins. Teams will fall out of the running but so far none have. A couple of teams getting hot and one bad streak by the rangers and they are not only out of the playoffs but playing the bottom dwellers of the conference. Less than 20 points seperates the top team in the conference (Ottawa) and the bottom team (Lightning). The Rangers are 8 points out of the conference lead, and only 3 points takes them out of the playoffs. If the rangers can get hot and stay hot, beat the bad teams and beat most of the teams that are in front of them the season can be saved. However just making the playoffs isn't enough. That is underachieving for this team that came into the season basically looking to make it to the cup.
Maybe that is the problem though. Maybe the expectations are too high for this team and that is why it looks like Jagr isn't having fun out there. No smiles, no good times to be had from the captain and fact of the matter is with out Jagr the team doesn't go. Someone else needs to step up or the team stands still. Drury has stepped up as of recently and the team has begun to win without Jagr's help.
In the NHL these days on any given night anyone can beat anyone. There is too much talent on every team up and down to be thinking this will be an easy game. Every night, every game needs 100% effort without a doubt. And like many other games this season it wasn't all there. None of it was there. The Rangers aren't the Red Wings, and the Red Wings are the only team in the NHL that is even close to that level where they can give a little less effort and still win. The Rangers aren't there, and the way this season has gone, there is no room left for anything less. There are 26 games left in the season heading into tonight. For a team fighting for a playoff spot in a conference where everyone can still make it. More than half of them need to be wins, and more than that probably 75%-80% need to be wins. Teams will fall out of the running but so far none have. A couple of teams getting hot and one bad streak by the rangers and they are not only out of the playoffs but playing the bottom dwellers of the conference. Less than 20 points seperates the top team in the conference (Ottawa) and the bottom team (Lightning). The Rangers are 8 points out of the conference lead, and only 3 points takes them out of the playoffs. If the rangers can get hot and stay hot, beat the bad teams and beat most of the teams that are in front of them the season can be saved. However just making the playoffs isn't enough. That is underachieving for this team that came into the season basically looking to make it to the cup.
Maybe that is the problem though. Maybe the expectations are too high for this team and that is why it looks like Jagr isn't having fun out there. No smiles, no good times to be had from the captain and fact of the matter is with out Jagr the team doesn't go. Someone else needs to step up or the team stands still. Drury has stepped up as of recently and the team has begun to win without Jagr's help.
Monday, January 7, 2008
A long break
After a week on long island and for the holidays I have been able to write, so here it goes for a rangers post. The rangers have not been doing so hot as of recently mostly on the west coast, which I am reduced to using NHL radio instead of actually watching the game. People say it is so much better to be at the games than watching it on TV (which is so true), well it goes the same for TV to the radio. Of the road trip games I was only able to see the Sedin twins in action, so I was unable to catch the Calgary game or the Edmonton game. Which were both disappointing at least to look at the standings and the stat sheet the next day. From the sounds of things the Edmonton game was pretty good for 40 minutes and they did manage a point which is better than nothing but still that is one of the worse teams in the western conference and you need to walk out of there with 2 points. Same with the combination of Calgary and Vancouver, 2 points combined out of these 2 teams would have been acceptable for a team shooting for a playoff spot, but instead no points there and only 1 in Edmonton. Not a strong performance in western canada, in fact there should have been more motivation for the Rangers as the crowd was chanting "Rangers Suck" toward the end of the game in Vancouver, which made me upset so I'm not sure why more effort wasn't shown on the ice but maybe it was because they played the night before.
The fact of the matter is this. This team does have a win now attitude because of who they brought on in the off season. So all this team needs to do is get into the playoffs, and probably more importantly not play the Sens but this team if it hits stride can take on anyone in the East and they know that, so a top seed is not all that important unless they want home ice. What worries me is that they can't do anything against the western conference. They have mustered only 12 goals in 7 games against while pretty much giving up that many to Marian Gaborik in one game; 25 in total. The teams they played however are pretty much the cream of the crop for the most part in the West besides Phoenix (who scored 5 goals) and Edmonton (who put in 3). So you can pass that off as ok we lost but we lost to 1st through 4th of 1 division that are separated by only 4 points. The problem with that is, if and if this team thinks it can win, and it should be able to. In the long run chances are one of these teams will be facing them in the Stanley Cup finals. Against the west they have managed only 2 points in 7 games, and there are no points in the playoffs. You either win or lose and right now the rangers have lost to the west.
Side note Nigel is back and So is Moore to attempt to add a spark to the offense. Straka is out again, and Shanny sat out but not sure if he will be back tommorrow, chances are that is why Moore is up just in case thing. Callahan is going to head to Hartford most likely this time he is actually going to go and not just on paper this time. That should be an interesting experience, if he can start putting some pucks in the net down there maybe him and Dubinsky and Prucha can get rolling and start drawing some attention away from line 1 and 2. Who knows though, the sad thing is what if they could have made Cullen fit and kept that line together that was so good at the end of last year and in the playoffs. It's too late now to think about that, but Dubinsky has played great, so for other than chemistry and line strength for the 3rd line there are no real regrets here.
The fact of the matter is this. This team does have a win now attitude because of who they brought on in the off season. So all this team needs to do is get into the playoffs, and probably more importantly not play the Sens but this team if it hits stride can take on anyone in the East and they know that, so a top seed is not all that important unless they want home ice. What worries me is that they can't do anything against the western conference. They have mustered only 12 goals in 7 games against while pretty much giving up that many to Marian Gaborik in one game; 25 in total. The teams they played however are pretty much the cream of the crop for the most part in the West besides Phoenix (who scored 5 goals) and Edmonton (who put in 3). So you can pass that off as ok we lost but we lost to 1st through 4th of 1 division that are separated by only 4 points. The problem with that is, if and if this team thinks it can win, and it should be able to. In the long run chances are one of these teams will be facing them in the Stanley Cup finals. Against the west they have managed only 2 points in 7 games, and there are no points in the playoffs. You either win or lose and right now the rangers have lost to the west.
Side note Nigel is back and So is Moore to attempt to add a spark to the offense. Straka is out again, and Shanny sat out but not sure if he will be back tommorrow, chances are that is why Moore is up just in case thing. Callahan is going to head to Hartford most likely this time he is actually going to go and not just on paper this time. That should be an interesting experience, if he can start putting some pucks in the net down there maybe him and Dubinsky and Prucha can get rolling and start drawing some attention away from line 1 and 2. Who knows though, the sad thing is what if they could have made Cullen fit and kept that line together that was so good at the end of last year and in the playoffs. It's too late now to think about that, but Dubinsky has played great, so for other than chemistry and line strength for the 3rd line there are no real regrets here.
Thursday, December 27, 2007
Gomez - Drury
Yea it seems about that time to review these signings from last summer. Gomez and Drury rank respectfully 1 and 4 on the team's point scoring list. Gomez of course has been the best player on the team and the catalist for the offense for the past couple of weeks. He was also able to jumpstart a slow out of the gate Shanahan who is third on the team in points currently, and it seems like he is doing the same for Jagr who has been able to put up a few assists here and there followed by 2 goals last night. Gomez didn't have the greatest start but has come on the last 2 months and has easily become the catalist for whatever line he is on. Where as Drury has been a solid player as well. Not as noticable sometimes out there on the ice, as some would hope but he is still making a difference on the ice. His plus/minus leaves something to be desired. Drury is one of only 3 Rangers that are in the double digits on the minus side (Orr and Girardi are the others). ESPN doesn't have faceoff statistics which I am assuming he probably leading the rangers if not in second place. Drury's value actually lies elsewhere though. Yes, he is having a decent point season chances are will be over 50 points and has a chance to get over 60; but he is a last second type of guy. He is the player who scores the goal in the last minute when you are facing elimination to force another game, another period or ends the game. All in all there is real no way to judge Drury's season until we get to the second season. So all in all, despite all the lack of scoring this team is doing these 2 are still producing and playing well.
As for Orr's hit last night, good clean hit. Orr had his hands down and caught Cullen with his head down. I liked Cullen when he was a Ranger last year but you do not skate across the middle with your head down in the NHL just ask Eric Lindros. Even if the league has protected against those hits in recent years you still shouldn't even consider doing something like that. Espeically against the Rangers 4th line whose calling card is backchecking and defense, besides the toughness side of things with Hollweg and Orr. Keep your head up and shit like this won't happen. The NHL should never start protecting players who can't learn to keep their heads up when skating across the middle. I mean hell they teach you how to stick handle in minor hockey when you are a kid, and it starts with your head up. Many players have spent countless hours staring at the boards while trying to keep control of the puck at their feet to stop that exact thing. Keep you head up and this shit wouldn't happen. Players like Crosby or Heatley may have made that pass but would not be skating there looking back over their shoulder not keeping their head up. Here is the video.
Hands down, heads down. Stupid penalty from the refs as well but they are trained to protect the players and give the team the Rangers are playing every advantage as possible. Citing last week as the Refs and Marion Gaborik took out the Rangers.
As for Orr's hit last night, good clean hit. Orr had his hands down and caught Cullen with his head down. I liked Cullen when he was a Ranger last year but you do not skate across the middle with your head down in the NHL just ask Eric Lindros. Even if the league has protected against those hits in recent years you still shouldn't even consider doing something like that. Espeically against the Rangers 4th line whose calling card is backchecking and defense, besides the toughness side of things with Hollweg and Orr. Keep your head up and shit like this won't happen. The NHL should never start protecting players who can't learn to keep their heads up when skating across the middle. I mean hell they teach you how to stick handle in minor hockey when you are a kid, and it starts with your head up. Many players have spent countless hours staring at the boards while trying to keep control of the puck at their feet to stop that exact thing. Keep you head up and this shit wouldn't happen. Players like Crosby or Heatley may have made that pass but would not be skating there looking back over their shoulder not keeping their head up. Here is the video.
Hands down, heads down. Stupid penalty from the refs as well but they are trained to protect the players and give the team the Rangers are playing every advantage as possible. Citing last week as the Refs and Marion Gaborik took out the Rangers.
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