Definitely think Bickel sits now if we have someone else to play instead of him. Erixon was fine. Outside of Bickel, the defense was fine. Perfect deflection for a goal and an empty netter. If they play this way every game, they'll win 9 outta 10. Best game they've played in a while. Hopefully this keeps going. Varlamov got a well deserved 1st star. Also people saying Varlamov sucks or is only good against us: Look at his number in the 2nd half of the season. He's the biggest reason Colorado is in the playoff race.
Torts plays Bickel, Bickel makes a bad play to give up a goal, and we lose the game. Good job Torts.
That bad play started with an even worse play in the neutral zone(I still don't know who fell down and waved the puck into the center of the ice.....what an idiot).
Even if Bickel played that to the T, and gave the skater the outside; the skater most likely scores anyways.
I am still in support of sitting Bickel for strahlman however.
Tough loss to swallow, but at least they showed up.
__________________
"I used to pray for good things . I used to ask the Hockey Gods for puck luck for the NYR .
Now all I want is Torts the smug stupid goatee clown to be fired , . I hate Torts . Please hockey gods make him get fired. Please Sean punch him in face" -- Dorado
Definitely think Bickel sits now if we have someone else to play instead of him. Erixon was fine. Outside of Bickel, the defense was fine. Perfect deflection for a goal and an empty netter. If they play this way every game, they'll win 9 outta 10. Best game they've played in a while. Hopefully this keeps going. Varlamov got a well deserved 1st star.
Exactly this.
I take a lot of positives out of this game going into Monday.
The Pens went to Colorado and beat the Avs 5-1, so it just really effing sucks that they came into our house and beat us. And we had all our guys back. What the eff ever.
They aren't terrible, they just aren't that talented. Basically, a team of third liners and second pair defensemen. Except, they have speed. They are the WORST kind of matchup for the Rangers.
That being said, if not for Washington's garbage goalie, you're right, Rangers win this thing big.
Definitely think Bickel sits now if we have someone else to play instead of him. Erixon was fine. Outside of Bickel, the defense was fine. Perfect deflection for a goal and an empty netter. If they play this way every game, they'll win 9 outta 10. Best game they've played in a while. Hopefully this keeps going. Varlamov got a well deserved 1st star.
Yes, this is true. They actually played very decently tonight, I like the trend.
The trend that I do not like is the one where they don't look around and see an opposition player just waiting for that pass with nobody bothering him whatsoever.
That **** has to stop.
I must stop looking forward to games on game day. When will I ever learn?
This "finding ways to lose games" scheme is getting real ****ing tiresome. Whenever it's the Islanders getting a dozen pinball goals, our pathetic defensive brainfarts or severely outplaying the opponent but not scoring, it doesn't matter. It is so ******* frustrating to watch.
Yeah we're going to be one and done in the playoffs what's there to regret?
Dude, we have had great season. We have a game where the opposing goalie stole a game(it happens).
This is still the best Ranger team we have had since 1997. No need to give up on them even if we lose the division. They have stuff they have to work out. But they did not play a bad game tonight at all.
I'm tired of the moral victory "we played well" crap. Like tonight, like the Hawks game, like several other games lately.
Bottom line....we're not winning games. We're 2-2 on a homestand we should be cleaning up on. Pittsburgh keeps winning and we're on the verge of giving away a conference lead we've had for an eternity.
You're right, Varlamov didn't make about 7 outstanding glove saves tonight. That never happened.
Dude, you know why he made those? Cause that's all we shot on. Besides that and into his body, that's all he shot on. And they all weren't "Outstanding" Some were real embellished.
They aren't terrible, they just aren't that talented. Basically, a team of third liners and second pair defensemen. Except, they have speed. They are the WORST kind of matchup for the Rangers.
That being said, if not for Washington's garbage goalie, you're right, Rangers win this thing big.
They have lots of talent, they don't have experience.
I must stop looking forward to games on game day. When will I ever learn?
This "finding ways to lose games" scheme is getting real ****ing tiresome. Whenever it's the Islanders getting a dozen pinball goals, our pathetic defensive brainfarts or severely outplaying the opponent but not scoring, it doesn't matter. It is so ******* frustrating to watch.
I haven't been looking forward to games since the beginning of December. Too much pressure for watching hockey to be fun.
Bickel SUCKS and Stralman has been VERY good for the most part.
This hurts more than just the fact that Bickel has been right in the center of about 4-5 goals against in the last two games.
But way to alienate Stralman who has played physical, tough, solid defense, and moves the puck out of trouble. It's clear as day that Stralman is a NHL defenseman and Bickel is a tough AHLer.
**** YOU Tortorella. ****ing hypocritical maddening windbag.
And now Torts will expect Stralman to come back and play with confidence? Who would feel good after being scratched over STU BICKEL who has been absolutely atrocious while you've been just as good defensively as Marc friggin Staal?
And when Stralman doesn't come back with confidence, Torts will write him off as soft to the media and will have rode another player out of town after putting them in situations setup to fail.
Zuccarello was awesome tonight. He's so good at settling down the PP along the wall and getting it to an open man cleanly. So, obviously Scott will be in the next game for Zuccarello.
For all the good Torts does, he's his own worst enemy. Not much has changed. A MVP season from Lundqvist and the effect of Richards/McD/Girardi/Hagelin/Gaborik stepping up is the only difference between this year and last. Tortorella's maddening tunnel vision has not changed one bit.
Last edited by Zuccarello Awesome*: 03-17-2012 at 08:55 PM.
Sure sucks to lead the league all year and fold down the stretch. This looks a lot like a team that will be out in round one again. Good work ethic. Not enough talent.
The accountability rules are maddening. Fedotenko, Bickel, Johnny Malkin, etc. seem to be operating on a different set of rules than other players. They contribute squat or worse, and still get in the lineup. Stralman has been good all year.....but he sits.
Yes, this is true. They actually played very decently tonight, I like the trend.
The trend that I do not like is the one where they don't look around and see an opposition player just waiting for that pass with nobody bothering him whatsoever.
That **** has to stop.
There slot presence is pretty abysmal. But that has been a problem with the Rangers ever since Torts coached this team. They always have players WAY to close to the net when there is no shot incoming.
Even when the shot comes, they are never in a good position for rebound recovery. Usually they are WAY to close to the goalie.
Sure sucks to lead the league all year and fold down the stretch. This looks a lot like a team that will be out in round one again. Good work ethic. Not enough talent.
gimme a break. in a 7 game series this team can beat anyone.........they lost 3 in a row twice all yr
Sure sucks to lead the league all year and fold down the stretch. This looks a lot like a team that will be out in round one again. Good work ethic. Not enough talent.
That and our style. Our guys are burned out like 100 year old lightbulbs. Cally and Zuc looked good, so did most of Gabby Richie and Hags. But we're gassed, and no secondary scoring
They have lots of talent, they don't have experience.
