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.