OT: 2022-23 NHL thread….Devils & Rangers & Islanders

[robcac26]

It wasnt just 2-0, it was 2-0 + everyones concerns with the devils coming into the series proving valid. It was an absolute **** kicking 5-1, 5-1.

Okay I'll say it louder this time for you. It also doesn't matter that the scores weren't close. Look at Tampa and Toronto this year. One game is 7-3 Tampa, the next is 7-2 Toronto, and the next two went to OT.

Is this your first year watching the playoffs? Just because you get blown out in a couple games doesn't mean you can't win the next couple. It also wasn't "an absolute **** kicking." Like I said in this thread after Game 2, if you take away Kreider being left all alone in front of the net on the powerplay, those are two close games.

 

[MoreCowbellRU]

If you watched the first 2 games and didnt think rangers were taking this series im sorry but you were smoking crack.

First two games confirmed what everyone has concerns about with the devs

- too small/soft
- too inexperienced
- weak goalie

Miraculously they flipped some switch starting game 3

Small and soft smacked the $h!t out of the Rangers tonight. It could have been 8 goals if not for Igor.

Rangers could turn it around but it's a tall order. Devs got their tails up and flying all over the place. The kids have a taste of success, which breeds more. Hope they keep building on it.

 

[zappaa]

It wasnt just 2-0, it was 2-0 + everyones concerns with the devils coming into the series proving valid. It was an absolute **** kicking 5-1, 5-1.

Even Lundqvist admitted the Devils are the better 5 on 5 team.
But that’s based on the fact we have no plan or system to counter the Devils pressure.
You give us Jon Cooper you’d be watching a far different team

 

[zappaa]

Small and soft smacked the $h!t out of the Rangers tonight. It could have been 8 goals if not for Igor.

Rangers could turn it around but it's a tall order. Devs got their tails up and flying all over the place. The kids have a taste of success, which breeds more. Hope they keep building on it.

Rangers got their asses knocked off the puck all night long.

 

[RUinBoston]

Loved the Bratt stealing the puck from Igor moment in the 3rd. Anyone see a replay of that anywhere? I'd like to watch it again.

 

[RUinBoston]

Oh...and not to beleaguer a dead horse....but straight out of the mouth of the ESPN officiating commentator tonight when Mika got that interference penalty: "he was pushed but he didn't fall straight...he took the opportunity to hit the goalie...a lot of guys do that"

 

[jordkap]

If you watched the first 2 games and didnt think rangers were taking this series im sorry but you were smoking crack.

First two games confirmed what everyone has concerns about with the devs

- too small/soft
- too inexperienced
- weak goalie

Miraculously they flipped some switch starting game 3

They stopped over pursuing hits. The Rangers can’t out skate them

 

[TM94goRU]

Game 5 was to the Rangers what game 2 was to the Devils. From early on, my sense was the Rangers were not on their game. They were running around trying to line up, and hit a Devil.

Myself being a Devils diehard, the third period made me the happiest. Just for the simple fact that the young Devils kept coming, from Kevin "wrecking" Bahl as Dano called him, to Timo Meier, who played head pest, reminiscent of Claude Lemieux.

Next learning curve, can this young team win a fourth game? I hope so.

 

[MoreCowbellRU]

Game 5 was to the Rangers what game 2 was to the Devils. From early on, my sense was the Rangers were not on their game. They were running around trying to line up, and hit a Devil.

Myself being a Devils diehard, the third period made me the happiest. Just for the simple fact that the young Devils kept coming, from Kevin "wrecking" Bahl as Dano called him, to Timo Meier, who played head pest, reminiscent of Claude Lemieux.

Next learning curve, can this young team win a fourth game? I hope so.

The 4th one is the hardest no matter who the opponent. Different game when the other guy is facing elimination.
Rangers are fighting for their playoff lives now. Devils can't get drawn into a street fight. If they stay composed and play their game they advance. I loved the attack mindset up 3 goals.

 

[RUinBoston]

Game 5 was to the Rangers what game 2 was to the Devils. From early on, my sense was the Rangers were not on their game. They were running around trying to line up, and hit a Devil.

Myself being a Devils diehard, the third period made me the happiest. Just for the simple fact that the young Devils kept coming, from Kevin "wrecking" Bahl as Dano called him, to Timo Meier, who played head pest, reminiscent of Claude Lemieux.

Next learning curve, can this young team win a fourth game? I hope so.

I got a kick out of the very end of the Bahl fight when they were all wrapped up by the officials Bahl gave Goodrow a little pat on the back.

 

[e5fdny]

...from Kevin "wrecking" Bahl as Dano called him,

I think he looks like one of the bad guys from the "Superman II" movie.

 

[Captain Hogleg]

Bahl playing physical changes the whole demeanor of the game. In one shift he had 4 very solid hits and it stunned the Rangers.

 

[anon_0k9zlfz6lz9oy]

Oh...and not to beleaguer a dead horse....but straight out of the mouth of the ESPN officiating commentator tonight when Mika got that interference penalty: "he was pushed but he didn't fall straight...he took the opportunity to hit the goalie...a lot of guys do that"

Thats not what he said. He said he got pushed into the goalie and didnt make an effort to avoid him. Timo meier did the same thing but igor got called for a penalty, here mika does.

 

[jmc11201]

Okay I'll say it louder this time for you. It also doesn't matter that the scores weren't close. Look at Tampa and Toronto this year. One game is 7-3 Tampa, the next is 7-2 Toronto, and the next two went to OT.

Is this your first year watching the playoffs? Just because you get blown out in a couple games doesn't mean you can't win the next couple. It also wasn't "an absolute **** kicking." Like I said in this thread after Game 2, if you take away Kreider being left all alone in front of the net on the powerplay, those are two close games.

In kyks defense, as a Devils fan, I was very discouraged after two games. Not just the fact that the Rangers won, but the Rangers were playing a smarter, more disciplined game and taking advantage of the Devils trying to do too much and trying to play a game they were not accustomed to.

Fortunately the Devils went back to basics and when the Devils are playing well, I don't think the Rangers can stay with them.

 

[Ronnie_B]

I love how Warburton is a big Devils fan:

 

[TM94goRU]

I got a kick out of the very end of the Bahl fight when they were all wrapped up by the officials Bahl gave Goodrow a little pat on the back.

I loved this fight as well. I'm a big fan of Bahl, and he actually was able to toy with one of, the toughest player's in the NHL.

 

[TM94goRU]

I think he looks like one of the bad guys from the "Superman II" movie.

LOL so GREAT! Fits right in.

 

[TM94goRU]

The 4th one is the hardest no matter who the opponent. Different game when the other guy is facing elimination.
Rangers are fighting for their playoff lives now. Devils can't get drawn into a street fight. If they stay composed and play their game they advance. I loved the attack mindset up 3 goals.

Bingo. This is also the reason I drew a direct link between Games 2 and 5. It looked like they changed uniforms.

Any Devils fan old enough to remember the '01 final against the Avalanche, should never put the cart before the horse.

 

[robcac26]

Bingo. This is also the reason I drew a direct link between Games 2 and 5. It looked like they changed uniforms.

Any Devils fan old enough to remember the '01 final against the Avalanche, should never put the cart before the horse.

Yep and likewise anyone who remembers the 2000 Eastern Conference Final when the Devils came back from down 3-1 should have never thought a 2-0 series was over.

 

[Mufasa94]

As far as 5 year age ranges go. Too production years historically are 27-32...

I'd like to see the evidence that supports this for NHL (not MLB) players. Since Phil Esposito played, practically all of the top scorers and top teams have finished their top/peak years easily before the player (or top player in the team's case) was 30 yrs old.

For teams that have won back to back (or more) Stanley Cups since the 70s, the final year of that span occurred when their top (non-goalie) guy was as follows:
'21 TB - Kucherov 28/Stamkos 31 (although Valsilevskiy was probably their top guy at 27 as goalie)
'17 Pgh - Crosby 29
'98 Det - Lidstrom 28/Yzerman 33
'92 Pgh - Lemieux 26
'88 Edm - Messier 27/Gretzky 27
'85 Edm - Messier 25/Gretzky 25
'83 NYI - Bossy 26/Trottier 26
'79 Mtl - Lafleur 27
'75 Phil - Clarke 25

Even Yzerman is incluced above, his personal peak years of scoring were up to when he was 27 (6 times topping 100). I can make a list for the other top players in the NHL over the past 5 decades.

 

[anon_0k9zlfz6lz9oy]

I loved this fight as well. I'm a big fan of Bahl, and he actually was able to toy with one of, the toughest player's in the NHL.

Toy? How?

Goodrow one of nhl’s toughest? What? Lol

 

[rudad02]

I got a kick out of the very end of the Bahl fight when they were all wrapped up by the officials Bahl gave Goodrow a little pat on the back.

Hot ****.

 

[rudad02]

The Devils played their A+ game, not seen since the 13 game winning streak. I hope they can find consistency with it.

Give Igor Shesterkin some credit here, most NHL Goalies would have given up at least 8 goals tonight.

Agreed. Devils played a helluva game. Rangers looked beaten & not just on the scoreboard. Still, expect them to come out hard facing elimination.

 

[e5fdny]

Toy? How?

Goodrow one of nhl’s toughest? What? Lol

That slash across the back after a clean hit by Bahl was not a tough guy move. More of Marchand type thing.

I’ll give him the instigator toughness to try and get his team going. That was to be expected and not bad.

 

[rudad02]

Thought Meier had his best game. Couple of good shots. No mistakes. Don't think Boquist has brought much to the table. Would play Sherstkehen instead.

 

[TM94goRU]

Yep and likewise anyone who remembers the 2000 Eastern Conference Final when the Devils came back from down 3-1 should have never thought a 2-0 series was over.

Most definitely! I should have added that one. Poor Eric Lindros.

 

[TM94goRU]

Toy? How?

Goodrow one of nhl’s toughest? What? Lol

Toy, or hold him at arms length, so he couldn't touch him.

Yes, if you go back to his Lightening days IMO. No one has too many fighting majors anymore. Goodrow is a tough customer, that was born too late to constantly show it.

 

[TM94goRU]

Agreed. Devils played a helluva game. Rangers looked beaten & not just on the scoreboard. Still, expect them to come out hard facing elimination.

Most definitely! If momentum changed this drastically once, it can happen again.

All I will say is I hope they keep proving me wrong!

 

[anon_0k9zlfz6lz9oy]

I'd like to see the evidence that supports this for NHL (not MLB) players. Since Phil Esposito played, practically all of the top scorers and top teams have finished their top/peak years easily before the player (or top player in the team's case) was 30 yrs old.

For teams that have won back to back (or more) Stanley Cups since the 70s, the final year of that span occurred when their top (non-goalie) guy was as follows:
'21 TB - Kucherov 28/Stamkos 31 (although Valsilevskiy was probably their top guy at 27 as goalie)
'17 Pgh - Crosby 29
'98 Det - Lidstrom 28/Yzerman 33
'92 Pgh - Lemieux 26
'88 Edm - Messier 27/Gretzky 27
'85 Edm - Messier 25/Gretzky 25
'83 NYI - Bossy 26/Trottier 26
'79 Mtl - Lafleur 27
'75 Phil - Clarke 25

Even Yzerman is incluced above, his personal peak years of scoring were up to when he was 27 (6 times topping 100). I can make a list for the other top players in the NHL over the past 5 decades.

If youre using 5 year windows. Traditionally an nhl players prime is 27-32.

Toy, or hold him at arms length, so he couldn't touch him.

Yes, if you go back to his Lightening days IMO. No one has too many fighting majors anymore. Goodrow is a tough customer, that was born too late to constantly show it.

goodrow is a middle weight on his best day. He totally lacks punching power. Hes like the 4th best rangers fighter behind schneider, trouba and harpur.

 

[RU Cheese]

Even Lundqvist admitted the Devils are the better 5 on 5 team.
But that’s based on the fact we have no plan or system to counter the Devils pressure.
You give us Jon Cooper you’d be watching a far different team

If you trade any player on the team not named Fox for Cooper, they‘d be SC contenders.

 

[krup]

Toy, or hold him at arms length, so he couldn't touch him.

Yes, if you go back to his Lightening days IMO. No one has too many fighting majors anymore. Goodrow is a tough customer, that was born too late to constantly show it.

Having watched probably 95% of the two season’s worth of games Goodrow has played for the Rangers, and a lot of the TB playoff games before that, you are off base.

Goodrow is a grinding, hard working player who will stick up for his teammates in a scrum when it’s called for , but it is very rare for him to deliver the big hit or get in any one on one altercation with an opposing player. The word tough as commonly used for a hockey player wouldn’t be used on Goodrow.

 

[TM94goRU]

If youre using 5 year windows. Traditionally an nhl players prime is 27-32.

goodrow is a middle weight on his best day. He totally lacks punching power. Hes like the 4th best rangers fighter behind schneider, trouba and harpur.

Ok whatever, just an off the cuff opinion.

 

[RU848789]

Anyone watching the Bruins and Florida? Barnburner. Was 3-2 FL after 2 and it's now 5-5, just 11 minutes into the 3rd. Some incredible offensive plays (and some weak defense). Go Bruins - I hate every NHL team in the south - they shouldn't even have hockey teams there...and I usually root for Canadian or original 6 teams.

Was a gigantic Flyers fan growing up: was 11 and 12 when they won their2 Cups in the early 70s and played street hockey almost every day with friends or my neighbor (he was 2 years older than me, which made me a better player) or just shooting with the garage behind the net.

Edit - now 6-5 FL on a bad giveaway

 

[Mufasa94]

If youre using 5 year windows. Traditionally an nhl players prime is 27-32.

You’ve stated this opinion 3 times. Now, please provide some facts that support this opinion, and I don’t mean from the 6 team no masks on goalies era.

 

[rurichdog]

Isles exit in 6. This team is adrift in a retooling without a rudder or a clear vision.

 

[Colbert17!]

Most definitely! I should have added that one. Poor Eric Lindros.

For our younger fans who may not get the reference.

 

[rufeelinit]

Isles exit in 6. This team is adrift in a retooling with a rudder or a clear vision.

I think I am ready for the rebuild on the Island although I don't see that happening given the long term contracts they recently handed out to Barzal and Horvat. Both of those guys underperformed in this series. I don't know much about Horvat, but the little I watched since the trade did not impress. Maybe Barzal is still hurt but he needs a better supporting cast to be effective.

I guess it starts at the top and I think its time for Lou to step aside and that does not mean handing over the reigns to his son. I also did not see any real benefit from moving on from Trotz. They are just so offensively challenged both in 5 on 5 as especially man advantage situations. Can't string passes to together to move the puck out of their zone. Pulock and especially Pelech looked worn down and were making bad decisions.

It was not hard to see the outcome coming last night. Not finishing chances early and then totally reliant on Sorokin late. Too much icing of the puck.

I thought the likes of Parise and Clutterbuck were giving the most effort and that is not a good thing. They are a bunch of plodders with little margin for error playing a style that I think certain guys don't even enjoy playing particularly if you are not winning.

 

[zappaa]

Rangers fans!
The players and Gallant are saying everything that should be said.
I don’t disagree with any of the verbiage.
Win one game!!!!!
Play our game
We know what we need to do
We’ve been here
Why have to rise
Everyone on the same page
We know what we’re capable of
Blah, Blah, Blah
Elephant in room:
The man behind the bench has jumbled his lines in an attempt to handle the Devils, speed, pressure and the fact we can’t take more than two strides before we’re physically knocked off the puck….that’s his answer.
We will do nothing different strategically, nor will we alter our strategy….get pucks to the net and create traffic is not a system, it’s a byproduct and result of a system.

Devils now have the GREAT CONTRADICTION going in their favor.
It’s the Golden Fleece, finding treasure of hockey…. It’s unexplainable and can’t be beat.
They are defending at every level giving the Rangers no room, space or time…every Ranger is smothered and has to make a puck decision in milli-seconds.
YET, the Devils have players constantly flying up the ice, their break out first touch is to a wide open player with speed and Ranger fans must live in fear of Devils behind us.
How can you be in two places at once

Devils win easy, hope I’m wrong

 

[knightfan7]

For our younger fans who may not get the reference.

Scottie was one bad Mamma Jamma.

 

[MoreCowbellRU]

For our younger fans who may not get the reference.

That was pretty much the beginning of the end for Lindros. Felt bad for him.
Loved Scott Stevens. Met him a couple times @ skates with season ticket holders. Couldn't get over how BIG he is in person.