honestly 1st in the conference i could really really care less about as im sure most others on this board. prior to the season i had us finishing somewhere in the 4-6 range. now i just want to see this team finish in the top 4 to qualify for home ice. im just weary of backing into the playoffs pi$$ing the bed for 2 weeks like 05-06. our division is very much up for grabs with the flyers dealing with plenty of injuries. pittsburgh is a good team with every1 healthy with or without crosby. with crosby in my mind they always remain the team to beat. oh god bobby ryan would complete us
The difference between this years team and teams of years past is even in a rough spot they are still winning games. This is not a normal NYR team, these guys are legit
The difference between this years team and teams of years past is even in a rough spot they are still winning games. This is not a normal NYR team, these guys are legit
Yes, and that's kind of the point (hope?) of this thread is that rough patches are inevitable for ALL teams, and really how you handle it is what separates the true contenders from the middling teams.
Last time this team had home ice advantage in a playoff series was 1996 against Montreal. Last time this team lost a playoff series with home ice advantage was 1992 against Pittsburgh.
I can see both sides of this discussion. I don't think we've played that great the past few weeks or so. There are certainly players who have been invisible (BR) and those who've been visibly worse (MDZ).
The fact that we've won games still is a good thing but it's not indicative of our play. Pitt was pathetic, Bos outplayed us for large periods of the game.
Are these guys exceeding expectations? Of course.
Could they start sliding soon? Of course. Especially if their play doesn't improve. But better to do it now rather than the post season.
This team looks like it should be strong the rest of the season. Getting 3 out of 4 points on the road after the break is impressive even against middle of the pack teams. We could have had all 4 points except for an unlucky bounce. The way the King is playing I would be surprised if the Rangers had anything longer than a 3 game losing streak even with our tough schedule the rest of the way.
I'm still concerned that we aren't generating enough offensive chances. None of our lines are really "hot" right now.
Agreed. The guys that should be scoring... aren't, for the most part. It's great that Hank is playing out of this world, but we need our guns firing if we want to hold on to the division with Pens and Flyers pressing.
Agreed. The guys that should be scoring... aren't, for the most part. It's great that Hank is playing out of this world, but we need our guns firing if we want to hold on to the division with Pens and Flyers pressing.
I think during an 82-game season, slumps like that are going to happen.
Now we will find out what we are truly made of from top to bottom in this organization. If we go into a tailspin in the 2nd half of the season, (IF! I said IF!), all the "feel good" from the first half will be squandered and many of us are going to be very, very disappointed. Thankfully, our coach seems to get it, and has never shown signs of letting up. However, Torts can only control so much and there are many factors that go into the required performance leading up to the playoffs.
How will we respond?
-Management: Will Slats make a smart deal that gives us an offensive boost going into the playoffs? Will Dolan shut the *#^& up? Will there be any surprise callups?
-Coaching: I'm expecting mucho line juggling until we find some consistent W's. Torts will try anything, but can he get us clicking again? Or, are we a On-Trick-Pony once again? Have other teams figured out our defensive counter-punch style that maybe we cannot sustain? Pen had a mighty forecheck going last night and it worked for them. What strategy and tactics can we deploy?
-Players: Who will step up? Is Richards going to figure out a way to spark the PP finally? Where will the goals come from? Do we in fact have the right players on the bus? It's starting to look like we may have to make a move.
Frankly, I'm more than a little concerned. I'm nowhere near ready to start booing or anything like that, nor do I want to break the core up. but it seems like something bordering on controversial might be required in terms of a deal.
Post ASG is going to be one helluva test for this team.
Originally posted 1/20/2012. Told ya.
How this team reacts now, will tell us much about what to realistically expect in the playoffs.
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"Of course giving Sather cap space is like giving teenagers whiskey and car keys." - SBOB "Watching Sather build a team is like watching a blind man with no fingers trying to put together an elaborate puzzle." - Shadowtron
Sestito still on the make a wish tour. - rholt168
You're probably right but thats not their thinking
I agree. Honestly, i would prefer Doan as opposed to Whitney, but am certainly against any cost prohibitive trade. Would rather build for more than a chance to get to the second round.
