Also, an interesting call up - Sens are bringing Mark Stone to New York. He's never played a professional game before, but he's a 19 year old forward who was Canada's top scorer and player of the tournament in the World Juniors this year, and he's a big boy - 6'3" and 210lbs. Interesting to see what happens if he plays, but I think it shows that we're getting to the bare bones of our squad now. I think the Sens might just run out of steam now, unfortunately.
The problem isn't Hagelin getting 3 games, it's everyone else like Carkner getting away with what they did
Been done to death, but the fact is that throwing a few punches does not and will not ever equate to an elbow to the head while skating at full speed. Hagelin's offence was worse than Carkner's, much worse. They're a really young team except for the bits that are really old, and losing Alfie is a problem that we can't keep glossing over. Paul McStache has done an unbelievable job this year and the team has shown a resiliency and belief in themselves that's been mighty impressive, but I'm just not sure they're ready for the long haul of the playoffs. Without the Rangers inviting them to come and win the game back on Wednesday we'd be staring at elimination now, and I don't think that they'll make that mistake again. Stranger things have happened though. Whatever happens I'm immensely proud of this team and what they've achieved, and I think we can be a force in the league for some years if we keep building like we have this season.
Idk if I would have the apathy you're showing for a team that had a resilient come-from-behind win the other night. I agree that it's easier to cope with the prospect of falling short when the expectations were set low, but I don't think the Sens are in any worse shape than the Rangers right now. If anything, advantage Ottawa since they really shouldn't feel any pressure whatsoever. Rangers on the other hand are getting the initial draft from a championship window cracking open. I will say this, though; if the Rangers are able to pull this series out, I think they'll be better for playing Ottawa. I can see Philly (assuming they can hold on) getting bounced quickly after such an unorthodox playoff series with Pittsburgh.
I can see the logic to that, and shame on me for not believing as completely in my team as they probably deserve right now. It's just starting to feel a little bit pieced together now, though; but you're right, if Ottawa can use their speed and their offense to get amongst the Rangers early tomorrow and get a lead, the pressure could quite easily tell. I've never been to MSG; are the fans generally supportive to the end, or will they get on top of their team if they're getting beaten? I'd agree with that, and I'd reiterate my position that if the Rangers win this series I'm cheering for them to go the rest of the way. After the initial silliness I think it has been a series with some really good hockey played by both teams.
Told my boss this...If the Rangers are to win a cup its best that they are battle tested and go through adversity...I feel less comfortable with my team going 4-0 then saying winning in 6 games. NHL is a different beast compared to the MLB/NBA
If Crosby was on the receiving end of that beat-down, what do you think the suspension would have been? No really, I want to know. Post a number.
I don't want to generalize too much but there are definitely a lot of darksiders. Whether you argue that's warranted given a tumultous past is another debate, but I think it's somewhat the nature of a New York sports fan too. Even successes are measured in quality. I don't care if my team wins a championship or what have you by the skin of their teeth or otherwise. But there's some people that will ask why it wasn't done better, faster, more efficiently. Fans at the Garden are hit or miss. Lots of good, knowlegable hockey fans; lots of people I'm convinced never picked up a stick.
Fuck knows. Lots. Crosby's a special case though, in all sorts of ways. Did they take into account the fact that the guy on the receiving end was a 6'7" 250lb unit who had brought it on himself by taking cheap shots at the opposing team's star player, to whom he gives eight inches and sixty pounds? Probably. As well they should. Do we have to keep doing this?
