Jan Levine: Game 63: NYR 2 CLM 1, Raanta the Difference in Victory in E Staal's Debut Stepan nets game-wining shorthanded goal late

It's nice to see someone constantly go to the net and have the net front presence. Every chance he had, Staal ended up there when the Rangers had possession at the point.

i sense a rotating 9 game to game to keep it fresh and get matchup advantages

Brass -Zucc- NAsh -Step-J T -Krieds-Staal -Hayes -Fast

any combos u want can come out of this top 9

4th line has options.....moore glass v stalberg o stalberg paille rivik

Staal is more fleixible than Hayes .....leave Hayes alone (3rd line center )

Brass & Step are 1a & 1b centers ... u go from there ....

great problems to have with 2 days of practice... Nash returning ? when the wkend smoke clears ...he will get last 15 to run with team & round out into form...L G R

At the end of the last thread I talked about Hank enjoying the rest last night & yes Matt, I saw his impeccable hair on the bench, simply stunning.

Hank I think is gonna probably only get 2/3 more games off this yr. Remember because of his injury last yr he had significant rest in Feb/March. I'm sure he'll be fine & actually welcome the workload here on out.

It's nice to see someone constantly go to the net and have the net front presence. Every chance he had, Staal ended up there when the Rangers had possession at the point.
- Rangers99

E Stall will be worth his weight in Gold come playoff time. He has not experienced playoff hockey in 7 yrs now! He's a horse & that prototypical playoff forward who will theow the body more in those games & engage whoever is matched up w him. Also remember Zuc missed almost the entire postseason last yr & will also be raring to go for those games to start. IF Nash can come back at 100% we really can make a run, I fully believe all the way.

E Stall will be worth his weight in Gold come playoff time. He has not experienced playoff hockey in 7 yrs now! He's a horse & that prototypical playoff forward who will theow the body more in those games & engage whoever is matched up w him. Also remember Zuc missed almost the entire postseason last yr & will also be raring to go for those games to start. IF Nash can come back at 100% we really can make a run, I fully believe all the way.
- B2B76

Just a note, while the Rangers will undoubtedly have a tough first round matchup, if the season ended today, Washington would play Pittsburgh in the first round. The other three likely opponents for Washington are Boston, Detroit or the Islanders, probably in that order of probability. All of this is to say that things won't be easy for Washington in the first round either (although probably easier if its Boston).

E Stall will be worth his weight in Gold come playoff time. He has not experienced playoff hockey in 7 yrs now! He's a horse & that prototypical playoff forward who will theow the body more in those games & engage whoever is matched up w him. Also remember Zuc missed almost the entire postseason last yr & will also be raring to go for those games to start. IF Nash can come back at 100% we really can make a run, I fully believe all the way.
- B2B76

He should be good, but he's no Shane Prince IMHO, tbh

Points, its all that matters right now.

I personally would leave the 3rd line alone with Lindberg/Hayes/Stalberg and find a spot for Staal up front.

He should be good, but he's no Shane Prince IMHO, tbh
- eichiefs9

Hellz NO! Garth making the big splashes as per usual.

Just a note, while the Rangers will undoubtedly have a tough first round matchup, if the season ended today, Washington would play Pittsburgh in the first round. The other three likely opponents for Washington are Boston, Detroit or the Islanders, probably in that order of probability. All of this is to say that things won't be easy for Washington in the first round either (although probably easier if its Boston).
- Pete V

If the season ended today, we'd play the Islanders right?

Don't know why but the rivalry just isn't that fiery between the Rangers and isles this regular season. I'm sure that will change should we meet in the playoffs though...Pitt is hot on the Isles ass. I'd love to bounce the Penguins again too but HB will be intolerable.

Just a note, while the Rangers will undoubtedly have a tough first round matchup, if the season ended today, Washington would play Pittsburgh in the first round. The other three likely opponents for Washington are Boston, Detroit or the Islanders, probably in that order of probability. All of this is to say that things won't be easy for Washington in the first round either (although probably easier if its Boston).

I'm not so sure any of those teams give the Caps a problem. Maybe Pittsburgh because 1, they are playing better and 2, because of the rivalry they have. The Caps are a different team this year. Just because they haven't gotten it done yet doesn't mean they won't this year. I'm not saying the Rangers can't beat them because with Hank anything possible, but there needs to be a different level of respect for them this year

I'm not so sure any of those teams give the Caps a problem. Maybe Pittsburgh because 1, they are playing better and 2, because of the rivalry they have. The Caps are a different team this year. Just because they haven't gotten it done yet doesn't mean they won't this year. I'm not saying the Rangers can't beat them because with Hank anything possible, but there needs to be a different level of respect for them this year
- AmazingSav

People saying they aren't afraid of the Capitals this year because they've never made it past the 2nd round were probably puffing out their chests before game 7 of the ECF because "Lundqvist has never lost a game 7"

People saying they aren't afraid of the Capitals this year because they've never made it past the 2nd round were probably puffing out their chests before game 7 of the ECF because "Lundqvist has never lost a game 7"
- rangerdanger94

Yes we get it, you are a Caps fan.

Yes we get it, you are a Caps fan.
- mdw7413

Caps are my second favorite team, after the Panthers of course

Hellz NO! Garth making the big splashes as per usual.
- B2B76

Caps are my second favorite team, after the Panthers of course
- rangerdanger94

The only team I think is scary in the playoffs is the Hawks. Every other team including the Rangers, its a crap shoot. I just know if the Rangers made it to the SCF I would not want to see the Hawks on the other side of the ice.

The only team I think is scary in the playoffs is the Hawks. Every other team including the Rangers, its a crap shoot. I just know if the Rangers made it to the SCF I would not want to see the Hawks on the other side of the ice.
- mdw7413

Woah look at you tough guy!

Points, its all that matters right now.

I personally would leave the 3rd line alone with Lindberg/Hayes/Stalberg and find a spot for Staal up front.

Fortunately the team has the next two days off to figure out what works. That game on Thursday is going to be exciting for sure. The Pens have really turned it around.

I really liked the way Staal looked last night. Fit the mold well. It's going to take a few more days for him to figure out AV's system too.

Woah look at you tough guy!
- rangerdanger94

As opposed to you, you quivering bag of jello at the mention of the Caps

As opposed to you, you quivering bag of jello at the mention of the Caps
- mdw7413

Let's leave your gf out of this

The only team I think is scary in the playoffs is the Hawks. Every other team including the Rangers, its a crap shoot. I just know if the Rangers made it to the SCF I would not want to see the Hawks on the other side of the ice.
- mdw7413

There are 6 teams in each conference that have a decent shot at winning the Cup. If your team is part of that 12, you could just as easily be bounced in the first round or make it all the way to the end. So much depends on the team and goalie getting hot at the right time. And experience definitely helps but it isn't everything.

The other 18 teams should be aiming to tank, unless they are a small market team that really depends on playoff revenue.

Let's leave your gf out of this
- eichiefs9

Fortunately the team has the next two days off to figure out what works. That game on Thursday is going to be exciting for sure. The Pens have really turned it around.

I really liked the way Staal looked last night. Fit the mold well. It's going to take a few more days for him to figure out AV's system too.
- Bean_Dip

Meh, Pens beat up on a deflated team last night. I think they could come into Thursday overconfident. Hopefully we can take advantage of that.

Fortunately the team has the next two days off to figure out what works. That game on Thursday is going to be exciting for sure. The Pens have really turned it around.

I really liked the way Staal looked last night. Fit the mold well. It's going to take a few more days for him to figure out AV's system too.
- Bean_Dip

Yup, for a 1st game, I like the fact he was always around the goal. Just need some more forwards to shoot at it.

As opposed to you, you quivering bag of jello at the mention of the Caps
- mdw7413

I hope the Capitals sweep the Rangers just so I can say I told you so