You expect Torts to trust the Devils 4th line not to engage his best players? I can easily play the other side of the coin and say this doesn't happen if DeBoer, who sets the tone, puts his best line out there.
No team in the NHL (especially 2 teams in playoff spots) are going to have their 4th line attack another team's first line in the beginning of a game (unless a 1st liner had done something to warrant it in a previous game).
These teams flat out hate each other. Stems from Dubinsky's comments about Clarkson and Carter's fight with Dubinsky from last game.
No team in the NHL (especially 2 teams in playoff spots) are going to have their 4th line attack another team's first line in the beginning of a game (unless a 1st liner had done something to warrant it in a previous game).
These teams flat out hate each other. Stems from Dubinsky's comments about Clarkson and Carter's fight with Dubinsky from last game.
I don't disagree. So why doesn't DeBoer pencil the Devils first line in to start the game? Same reason Torts put his fourth line out there - lack of trust.
When a coach does something like that, you have to respond. You don't sit there and let them try and intimidate you off the start. Anyone saying Torts was in the wrong is absurd.
__________________
"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
For the record, I don't mind DeBoer doing it at all. I'd of been way more pissed had Torts not responded and allowed the Devils to intimidate the team off the start. DeBoer was playing some old time ****. No problem with that. He got what he wanted.
DeBoer's comments about Tortarella (I will never remember how to spell his name for some reason)
DeBoer: "I guess in John's world you can come into our building and start your tough guys but we can't do the same here. He either has short term memory loss or he's a hypocrite. It's one or the other."
Honestly, didn't even remember that Tortarella did that. Makes his meltdown even more hilarious. I think he just has a 'scream like a lunatic' quota. It's literally every game.
So, is DeBoer lying? Because from what we can find, the Rangers started:
Anisimov - Stepan - Gaborik on March 6th. Maybe DeBoer "has short term memory loss."
Where are you checking starting lines? Somehow I doubt DeBoer made it up. Especially considering this isn't the first time there's been a fight off the top. Think he was talking about the December game.
Either way, Torts losing it was quite entertaining. He's always whining about something.
Last edited by Jersey Fresh: 03-19-2012 at 10:05 PM.
I don't disagree. So why doesn't DeBoer pencil the Devils first line in to start the game? Same reason Torts put his fourth line out there - lack of trust.
Salvador would have kicked Dubinsky's ass but I doubt anyone wants him fighting due to his concussion problems. Same may go for Staal, although 3 fights was perfectly enough here.
Where are you checking starting lines? Somehow I doubt DeBoer made it up. Especially considering this isn't the first time there's been a fight off the top.
Either way, Torts losing it was quite entertaining. He's always whining about something.
I actually re-watched the opening faceoffs for all three games the Rangers played at the Devils this year. Anisimov-Stepan-Gaborik for March 6. Dubinsky-Richards-Callahan for January 31. But it was Rupp-Fedotenko-Prust on December 20. Rupp and Janssen dropped the gloves immediately.
(I will never remember how to spell his name for some reason)
