One the negative side, I think Boyle's line have started to get more and more into trouble lately.
Every three on that line is really bringing it and putting forth a heck of a effort night after night. But, Boyle at 6'7 sometimes gets out of position in our own end, and when they mishandle the puck too much (and gets to spend too much time defending) it costs us in the end.
I hate to say it, but, and especially this late in the season with the punishment he takes night after night, Brandon Prust is a -- tad -- in over his head playing 3rd line minutes (especially when the 4th line sits...).
Our lineup is a bit of a puzzle. We saw it in Fedetenko taking that hit if nothing else, he is a RWer and not used to handling pucks in that type of situations... We saw it in Dubi-AA-Cally not really being able to ship in with dominating efforts at the end. And we saw it in Prospal-Step-Gabby unit being a all Gabby show in the 3rd that resulted in a bunch of weak wrister into the stomach of Bobo.
Torts do not really have any room to experiment with other considering were we are in the standings. To gear up for the PO's, I think we need to shuffle the lines some. We need to get Gabby into a better environment, because we will need someone who can bring it on will in the PO's and we do not have that right now. If we do not have a lead going into a 3rd we won't win many games, and you cannot go deep into the PO's if you only have 40 minutes to win games in...
Wow, people on here must have just stopped liking Gaborik. Objectively, I've got to say he was the best player today. He created offensive opportunities, was probably their best forward defensively, back checked like a mad man, etc. He did everything today. I don't care if he scored a goal or not, IMO, he was the teams catalyst.
POTG: Gaborik
The Good: We pick up 2-huge points, SO specialists showed up in a big way.
The Bad: Mediocre start to the first period
The Redden: Nothing today.
It really seemed McDonagh's development stalled at one point, but he's one heck of an effective player now.
If Gaborik decides to give 110%, you guys are due for a nice upset.
Yeah, but you can tell that Sauer has much more pro-experience then McD.
For example, if I took that shot to the foot back when I was played I would have left the game probably -- I am not saying anything else.
But a experienced NHL D probably gets off the ice faster. But that's no biggy. But the shifts after, he really showed that he was hurt on the ice -- and that was no good at all, and I am sure someone will get that point across to him in the near future. You show you are hurt on the ice, and especially as a D, you instantly becomes a target. Its a no-go for sure. And McD was really targeted for the next hand ful of shifts he had, as soon as he got the puck the Flyers ran him. A seasoned NHL D in that situation don't let it show, no matter how much it hurts and no matter if you can't skate. Just do not lift your foot or something.
Marc Staal had a real world class effort tonight, I am almost becoming sentimental...
We have not seen many efforts like this in NY the last 10+ years. I seriously think only JJ and Hank have had that type of world class dominating performances for us since I Leetch basically was still in his prime (/Richter). Like when someone just gets the job done shift after shift after shift after shift. Alone sets the tempo on the ice. On this topic you can look at it from many perspective's, four goals from a forward is of course "more important" in a sense, but when it comes to being dominant on a shift by shift basis Staal IMHO sets himself apart from the rest I've seen play for this team since the "94' guys".
For me, Staal went out there and took another step tonight
Ryan Callahan is -- I do not want to say "the", because it gives the wrong impression, but he is a -- heart and sould of his team type of player. Man is he taking on a big responsibility out there. Its sick.
We talk about small plays so much, but what are they really?
On one shift Callahan looked pretty tired, he skated the length of the ice twice, then feetched the puck deep in our end and took it up ice into the neturalzone were he was run up against the boards. What does he do? 2-3 guys heads for the linechange, he is the one closest to the bench -- still he heads back into the defensive zone to cover for the one's changing.
Thats a small play. And Callahan brings those type of players shift after shift after shift -- besides his forechecking, besides his shot-blocking, besides his sniper ability.
no thoughts on Tortorella closing up the neutral zone after the first? nothing about the Rangers aggressive game giving philly no time for anything outside of maybe 6 shifts the entire game?
Yeah, but you can tell that Sauer has much more pro-experience then McD.
For example, if I took that shot to the foot back when I was played I would have left the game probably -- I am not saying anything else.
But a experienced NHL D probably gets off the ice faster. But that's no biggy. But the shifts after, he really showed that he was hurt on the ice -- and that was no good at all, and I am sure someone will get that point across to him in the near future. You show you are hurt on the ice, and especially as a D, you instantly becomes a target. Its a no-go for sure. And McD was really targeted for the next hand ful of shifts he had, as soon as he got the puck the Flyers ran him. A seasoned NHL D in that situation don't let it show, no matter how much it hurts and no matter if you can't skate. Just do not lift your foot or something.
Anyone hear anything on McDonagh? I missed the game but saw the replay but then didn't hear his name again. Obviously he played through it from Olas post but I didn't hear his name mentioned in the rest of the replay or hear anything else about him...
Ola hit some good points, which is why I would like to see a little more ice time for Christensen's line. He looked good today, Wolski looked a little better in his limited time, and Avery has all the energy in the world to play with.
As long as EC plays smart and is the third man high consistently, I say play em more.
In truth, today, I thought you would see the best effort the team could muster. A loss to Philly, coming right after a loss to Buffalo and the Islanders probably would have meant that would be receiving our playoff refunds early.
I didn't see the game but looking at the box score left me wondering if we are about to see a change in D (6 minutes for Emminger?)?
As the final week of the NHL season officially kicked off with the nationally televised Sunday afternoon contest between the Philadelphia Flyers and New York Rangers at the Wells Fargo Center, there was definitely much on the line for both clubs.
Got back from the game a few minutes ago. So relieved we came out of there with two points.
I was quite shocked about the crowd there. Not one person said anything to me about wearing rangers gear. I thought the crowd would be a lot worse. I'd say there was a good amount of blue shirt fans there.
POTG: Staal, no question. Hank shares it as always.
The Good: Seeing Gabby stay engaged...even if he still is having major problems pulling the trigger. He's much better than he was weeks ago.
The Bad: The team just looks like they are about to keel over. Totally gassed at the end of the game today. Something happened in the three day break and they have not had the same fight or intensity since.
The pack line looks tired. Ani did not notice him too much today. Both Dubi and Cally looked....off. Boyle looks like he's in pain with every stride he takes. His ability to be a factor along the boards has really dropped off, IMO.
Stepan looks better on his face offs thank the Lord. Gabby moving much, much better.
Wolski and Christ are essentially invisible to me during regulation. Wolski had a wide open chance where he passed. I'm down on him big time I admit.
The D was awesome today and Hank is just a rock out there.
The Bad: The team just looks like they are about to keel over. Totally gassed at the end of the game today. Something happened in the three day break and they have not had the same fight or intensity since.
I believe it was the last game, there was a mention about Dubi having the flu. Maybe something's going around?
I believe it was the last game, there was a mention about Dubi having the flu. Maybe something's going around?
Interesting. I hadn't heard that. He and Cally both looked pretty off today which was again surprising to me.
BTW, like your avatar. Saw Henry once at a place called the Anaconda Ball Room. Great show and pit. First time I'd done the mosh thing. What ever happened to Red Henry?
i want to give torts some props for playing ec and wolski in the 3rd and ot to keep em fresh so they don't get cold for the shootout and both of them scored.
