I think Deboer originally wanted to try and get one of Parise/Kovalchuk away from McDonagh-Girardi but after seeing Staal play he may see it as a moot point anyways. May as well load up that line and try to create more havoc on one line rather than weakening one line to strengthen another.
1) Poor ice favors the defensive team over the offensive team
2) Soft ice slows the puck down (favors defense)
3) Slow ice makes it difficult to complete passes (favors defense)
4) Soft ice is death to a forecheck (the Devils strength)
We know in the playoffs fast baseball teams will cut the grass low, and those playing against fast teams will let the grass grow higher.
We know in golf they do the same thing with the ruff, let it grow high if you're playing against bombers, cut it short if you are the bombers.
The ice last night at MSG was (IMO) the worst I've ever seen it. Why? No concert or basketball game, and it wasnt in the 80s or anything....... Add up all the above, and it's certainly at least possible the ice was that terrible on purpose. In any event, given in other sports the home teams do things with the surface to aid their advantage, I dont see why you think it's such an outrageous claim.
It's an outrageous claim when the NHL has an independent ice guru who tests the ice prior to every game.
Even if this wild accusation was true, isn't that part of having HOME ice advantage?
I think Deboer originally wanted to try and get one of Parise/Kovalchuk away from McDonagh-Girardi but after seeing Staal play he may see it as a moot point anyways. May as well load up that line and try to create more havoc on one line rather than weakening one line to strengthen another.
I'm a bit surprised. Stralman looked a bit overwhelmed by their forecheck at times. If I were Deboer I'd be trying to get that matchup. Either Kovy or Parise could make mincemeat out of him if given the chance.
Not thrilled. But there must a method to this madness.
Hey I am ok with it if it's true, lol. He was 3rd in minutes played, that has to be mind games or something. Hey I am not the coach but he looked mobile enough to help offensively. That is something your team needs to be more effective against the Rangers.
Better for us, IMO. Its easier to shut down 1 line than 2. Send out McD and Girardi with the Boyle unit and they're as good as neutralized.
Keep in mind, it works both ways. With Parise on one line, that opens up one of our other forward lines against a weaker Devils forward unit.
Eh I mean their second and third lines are still good. Elias can be dangerous at any given moment, and Zubrus is a beast on the puck. Devils are a deep team at forward and while they're loading up top heavy, they can also still get plenty of scoring from their other lines. Can't view them as completely shut down if you stop their top line
Eh I mean their second and third lines are still good. Elias can be dangerous at any given moment, and Zubrus is a beast on the puck. Devils are a deep team at forward and while they're loading up top heavy, they can also still get plenty of scoring from their other lines. Can't view them as completely shut down if you stop their top line
