funny how when the Islander fans showed up in this blog it got back normal. Some (not all) of those pens fans were giving me a headache.

Thanks Guys
- climbdenali12

No problem. Isles fans are just great people

Me personally, I still do the trade. I actually think we are doing a decent job against Crosby & Malkin. And thats with McDonagh still probably hurt, and Girardi playing like poop. I don't think Callahan would make much of a difference right now. That's just my opinion though.
- mdw7413

I am by no means trying to say that Girardi and McDonagh have lived up to expectations this playoff season, but at the same time, the Rangers are third in goals against in the playoffs, giving up 2.3 goals a game over a 10 game span. Now, of course that has something to do with goaltending and overall team defense, but given the fact that Girardi and McDonagh are more often than not out against the other team's top players, and the fact that the Giroux line didn't do a ton against the Rangers. I think anytime you don't score much, I think mistakes made by defensemen are amplified, and I think that's the case with Girardi and McDonagh.

Again, I don't think they've played up to expectations, but they are also in a very tough position as well given their role as the lockdown pair.

funny how when the Islander fans showed up in this blog it got back normal. Some (not all) of those pens fans were giving me a headache.

Thanks Guys
- climbdenali12

Preds just hired Lavy as Head Coach

Nashville hired Peter Laviolette
- jimbo83

I am by no means trying to say that Girardi and McDonagh have lived up to expectations this playoff season, but at the same time, the Rangers are third in goals against in the playoffs, giving up 2.3 goals a game over a 10 game span. Now, of course that has something to do with goaltending and overall team defense, but given the fact that Girardi and McDonagh are more often than not out against the other team's top players, and the fact that the Giroux line didn't do a ton against the Rangers. I think anytime you don't score much, I think mistakes made by defensemen are amplified, and I think that's the case with Girardi and McDonagh.

Again, I don't think they've played up to expectations, but they are also in a very tough position as well given their role as the lockdown pair.
- Pete V

the Rangers issues are their top forwards not scoring, that's it, end of story, no further discussion necessary

- Vukota

the Rangers issues are their top forwards not scoring, that's it, end of story, no further discussion necessary
- jimbo83

I think that is pretty much right.

Steve Zipay ‏@stevezipay 1m
AV: Kreider seeing doctor shortly, but wont speculate on return until he hears medical report

He's gotta be as pumped as TPC, both are going to be needed energy here tomorrow night

No problem. Isles fans are just great people
- mighty13duck

- jimbo83

- Vukota

Weight is next isles coach anyways.

I think that is pretty much right.
- Pete V

all you can ask of a defense and goaltender is to hold the Pittsburgh Penguins to 2 goals a game which is what they have done.

I am by no means trying to say that Girardi and McDonagh have lived up to expectations this playoff season, but at the same time, the Rangers are third in goals against in the playoffs, giving up 2.3 goals a game over a 10 game span. Now, of course that has something to do with goaltending and overall team defense, but given the fact that Girardi and McDonagh are more often than not out against the other team's top players, and the fact that the Giroux line didn't do a ton against the Rangers. I think anytime you don't score much, I think mistakes made by defensemen are amplified, and I think that's the case with Girardi and McDonagh.

Again, I don't think they've played up to expectations, but they are also in a very tough position as well given their role as the lockdown pair.
- Pete V

Yeah Pete, I actually agree, and also what Jimbo said about the forwards not finishing. And I didn't mean to come across as saying any of the losses fall on their shoulders. I actually was trying to say (and you did it better than I did) that although McDonagh & Girardi are not playing up to what we have expected from them, they are still doing a good job defensively.

funny how when the Islander fans showed up in this blog it got back normal. Some (not all) of those pens fans were giving me a headache.

Thanks Guys
- climbdenali12

Wait, this is the Ranger blog? I saw all the trolls and I assumed it was Dee's.

the Rangers issues are their top forwards not scoring, that's it, end of story, no further discussion necessary
- jimbo83

It's the obvious yet the only legitimate explanation as to why they are having such a rough time of it so far in these playoffs.

The St. Louis-Stepan-Nash is absolutely killing this hockey team. They have been an abomination; even strength or on the power play.

Steve Zipay ‏@stevezipay 1m
AV: Kreider seeing doctor shortly, but wont speculate on return until he hears medical report

He's gotta be as pumped as TPC, both are going to be needed energy here tomorrow night
- cranford93

He is going to take his injured hand, grab the doc by the collar, hang him onto his coat rack and force him to sign off on his medical clearance.

20-21-61

He is going to take his injured hand, grab the doc by the collar, hang him onto his coat rack and force him to sign off on his medical clearance.

20-21-61
- Blueshirts4ever

Take his skate, turn that som'b!tch sideways and stick it straight up his candy @ss.

Steve Zipay ‏@stevezipay 1m
AV: Kreider seeing doctor shortly, but wont speculate on return until he hears medical report

He's gotta be as pumped as TPC, both are going to be needed energy here tomorrow night
- cranford93

He is going to take his injured hand, grab the doc by the collar, hang him onto his coat rack and force him to sign off on his medical clearance.

20-21-61
- Blueshirts4ever

Well to be fair, he will only go to that extreme if the Doc does something to Stepan haha

He is going to take his injured hand, grab the doc by the collar, hang him onto his coat rack and force him to sign off on his medical clearance.

20-21-61
- Blueshirts4ever

Wouldn't mind seeing 20-26-21.... holy sh!t that was my old gym locker combo... gotta make it happen...

I think dropping Nash off the first line is logical in that maybe he won't be holding his stick as tight and it could lighten the top D pairing on him to get him going.

Lets say Kreider is cleared. He has to be put on the PP, his speed, his physical presence, etc.

What do you guys think about moving Kreider to the front of the net, use Nash, Step on the half boards with Mac and BR on one unit of 5.

2nd unit of 5, Brass, Zucc, MSL, DG and RD. Pouliot gets taken off, its a tough call but Kreider to me has to play on the PP, just to give the group a different look, Nash can play where he is more comfortable and Kreider isn't one to shy away from getting beat up a little bit

Well to be fair, he will only go to that extreme if the Doc does something to Stepan haha
- TPC

lol

Well to be fair, he will only go to that extreme if the Doc does something to Stepan haha
- TPC

You mean like this?

That was the most frustrating game in NYR history last night. Bar none.

That was it. Other than that, I am speechless.
- jimbo83

It was for me but I am young. I was wondering if this was true having more games under the belt. I was never so mad after a Rangers loss ever. Ever....

I really don't want to get into the buyout stuff and off season debates until after the season, because we will have 4 months for all that talk, but people who are advocating amnestying Rick Nash need to realize that the regular buyout of his contract is actually rather buyout friendly:

Rick Nash buyout from CapGeek.com
2014-15: $2,566,667
2015-16: $2,566,667
2016-17: $2,466,667
2017-18: $2,266,667
2018-19: $2,666,667
2019-20: $2,666,667
2020-21: $2,666,667
2021-22: $2,666,667

if they use the amnesty, it will only be for Brad Richards, whose regular buyout is absurd:

Brad Richards buyout from CapGeek.com
2015-16: $1,000,000
2016-17: $4,500,000
2017-18: $6,500,000
2018-19: $6,500,000
2019-20: $6,500,000
2020-21: $833,333
2021-22: $833,333
2022-23: $833,333
2023-24: $833,333
2024-25: $833,333
- jimbo83

This is obvious. Plus two words. Cap Recapture.