I thought Sam & Joe did mention it? Something about Malkin coming off the bench after the puck was thrown down the rink... Guess he wouldn't even be near that puck without that.
Didn't hear them mention it but good call, didn't think of that....
Not having a great PP and an elite face off guy is still a concern and I'm sure it is high on the list for both Sather & Torts and I'm sure that they don't want the chemistry altered by a whole lot . A couple of names that could work are Steckle/Leafs who is the leader on the draws and Belanger/Oilers who sits in 5th on the winning draw list are 2 possibilities and probably at a small cost . It certainly will be hard to make changes when the team is on a roll...but I suspect a couple of bad games and something will evolve because of that . We have to find a way to start getting that extra goal to allow a cushion for our goaltenders .
We have to find a way to start getting that extra goal to allow a cushion for our goaltenders .
I agree fully that the PP needs improvement, I disagree about this part though. This part isn't as important as you think. What's far more important is not making bad plays that result in a late goal. You don't need the extra goal cushion if you don't give up late goals. Hockey is generally a very close game.
If you go to the boards of the teams we defeat, we are not that good. That's actually just how I want to be perceived.
We're not THAT good. We've been playing great hockey, and beating everyone, but it's not like we're going out there and destroying teams. Look at our last 9 wins. 3-1, 3-2, 3-2, 4-1, 3-0, 4-2, 4-2, 4-1, 3-2. The only game we dominated was the win against the Panthers in Florida. We got outplayed against the Flyers (WC) and Devils for the first two periods, came out flat against the Islanders (2nd game). We're a great hockey team. 4 4+ game win streaks show that. But we have to come down to earth, at least a little bit.
Except we've consistently scored 3 goals, and when you spend as much money on the best goaltender in the world as we do and have such a solid D-corp, that's all you need most of the time. Big deal we're not blowing out the Calgary Flames by 9 goals.
Yeah the truth lies somewhere in between in most cases, and while we haven't been offensive juggernauts and a team that destroys our opponent, the fact of the matter is we're one of the best defensive teams in the league. Our defense corps has stood tall all see despite the plethora and magnitude of injuries. Henrik, who is dominant every year, is off to the best start of his career. Biron has been excellent and is one of the best backups in the league. These things matter. We don't have to apologize for being a very good defensive team.
I've been saying it again and again and again since the lockout, but if you don't perform on special teams in this league you are not going to win. It's really that simple. When we get into very tight seven game series' the power play and penalty kill will be what it comes down to. It always does. And the power play will need to be there for us in the post season. I still think that Richards is getting used to the power play and getting used to the players he's out there with. They need to leave him at the point though. The problem, IMO is the other point. I don't like having Del Zotto on one side and Richards on the other because I'd rather them be on separate units. Love Girardi but not a huge fan of him on the PP. Plus he plays so much I don't even want to use him there. I'd also rather Richards be on his off side because he does have a very good slapper that can be effective off a one timer. I would like to see McDonagh on the PP to be quite honest. I think he could be very serviceable.
Yeah, don't know why they're not trying to groom McDonagh into a QB-esque role. He definitely has the talent to do it and his shot is nothing to laugh at either.
Except we've consistently scored 3 goals, and when you spend as much money on the best goaltender in the world as we do and have such a solid D-corp, that's all you need most of the time. Big deal we're not blowing out the Calgary Flames by 9 goals.
Misinterpret much? The Bruins are cup champs, and are just as strong as us in all areas of the game. I just think unless the Rangers start playing a little bit better, we could see them start losing a few more games. Atlantic division is and should be the goal.
Except we've consistently scored 3 goals, and when you spend as much money on the best goaltender in the world as we do and have such a solid D-corp, that's all you need most of the time. Big deal we're not blowing out the Calgary Flames by 9 goals.
This has been the hope all along. Give Hank 3 a night and see where he takes you.
