Believe me, I'm not crying for a suspension, I just find it interesting that every hit by either team seems to be the Rangers' fault in your eyes. Boyle wasn't skating with his head down, he had just released a shot/dump-in and didn't really have a chance to look up before getting blown up. I guess that's enough to make the hit legit itself. I'd argue that, ironically, game 5 was the Rangers' best offensive performance of the series. It was the most puck control since the first period of game 1, and they took 41 shots. It was bad luck and fantastic goaltending. Anderson played his ass off, and the Rangers never seemed to be in position for a rebound when they were available, or it was on the backhand of whoever did arrive and that player couldn't elevate the puck.
Hardly. When big hits happen legally then I have no issue. The Rangers made 41 of them last night to Ottawa's 22. I don't recall any hits being much of a problem other than Hagelin's elbow to the head, including Staal's perfectly fine open ice hit on Spezza which again was caused by the forward skating with his head down. He was busy admiring his shot. You don't have to be a top pro to know that your first responsibility when you're in open ice with the puck is to keep your head up and know what's going on around you, because you're going to get your bell rung if you don't. Anderson was immense, but while the Rangers might have had more of the puck than perhaps they have in previous performances, they didn't look very threatening with it other than on a couple of breakaways. Lots of shots, but no-one followed into the net; to beat Anderson they needed to be more aggressive on offense and get into his face. For all the Rangers' puck possession, Ottawa looked the more dangerous side in the last three games. Will the return of Hagelin help the Rangers with that? I don't get the impression that he's the sort of player to get physical in the crease - will the loss of Boyle hurt more than the return of Hagelin will help? I think the Rangers have to do something different next time out, it will be interesting to see if they decide to go full goon on Neil. I don't think it would be the worst thing they can do, they need to get Ottawa out of their stride.
Final note on the topic: NHL has confirmed that they will not be reviewing the Neil hit. What do you think we see the Rangers do differently tomorrow night?
I don't have a whole lot of confidence the Rangers will pull out a win tomorrow night. Not trying to be a negative nan but I don't see it. Idk, maybe they'll surprise me but I think Ottawa's primed to close it out on home ice. I'd love to be wrong
I asked earlier but didn't get much of an answer - what do you think the Rangers need to do to win tomorrow? More of the same and hope for better breaks, a complete change in game planning, or some tweaks?
I dont htink there is much to change in game 87....gotta play the same way we've played all year. Throw another 40 shots on goal and you would think we win. DEFINTELY have to stay out of the penalty box when youre on the road in an elimination game.
It really hurts when a sometimes offensively anemic team fires 41 shots and loses via shutout when you goaltender gives up one. Even for a team that was so good in the regular season, I think that's a dagger. But to answer your question, they have to play super disciplined and test Anderson as much as possible. Honestly, I could be mistaken because I was beer-medicated by the end of the game, but from what I can remember Anderson faced a lot of the 41 shots without much pressure. Not much traffic in front, and a lot of rebounds that were ultimately harmless.
We lack guys who are offensively talented with their shots...Gaborik is the only one, but he is a floater/dangler type and I wish he'd do more.
You and every Ranger fan. This is intersting, I just read on twitter that Hank has some kind of stomach virus or something. He was given and IV this is coming from @incarceratedbob. He's usually spot on with his news... hmy:
That perception will change tonight. It's a different team with Hagelin, his speed opens up the ice for guys like Gaborik. Senators are the inferior team, Rangers just have to find a way to break them and they will. Everyone is acting like they just went to a funeral. The Stanley Cup is not easy to win boys and girls!!
Well that would certainly add insult to injury. Guy I work with raves about this Incarcerated Bob character. I'd rather go on the Ranger beat writers personally, but I guess we'll see.
Take it for what it's worth I guess. It's not confirmed, but he's been accurate in the past. Let's hope he's wrong on this one.
Pardon me for being objective. I'm not going to have confidence in them for the sake of channeling good karma. I told English before game 5 that Ottawa should feel very good coming into that game. As for a lot of others acting like they just went to a funeral, I can't say I blame anyone. Years of sneaking into the playoffs and hoping for an entertaining week or two maybe a little magic. Finally a year they're a force all season and on the brink of the same result in the playoffs. That's a swift kick to the sac.
Has nothing to do with good Karma, I'm being 100% objective. The Rangers were the #1 seed for a reason, because they worked they're asses off and had superior defense and goaltending. They did have their bad stretches but every time they battled back and I expect to see the same. Their offense was very average, but what they did have needed Hagelin to be a part of it. He's back tonight, and that's not putting on rosey glasses that's a fact. And he's going to be pissed and motivated on top of it.
Not confirmed yet, but the rumours are that Alfie will be back tonight as well. That makes a huge difference to our powerplay.
We'll see I guess. I'm a Hagelin fan but idk if he's going to change the game the way you think he's going to. I hope you're right.
i love Hagelin coming back, i never throw in the towel. They do have a crisis on their hands, but you have to win 4 games, and it is not over yet.
