It has got to be better then this right now
- TPC

I remember there being an old sports saying that fatigue can make you look like a coward. It's there own fault for not closing at the Flyers series earlier, but I think they are fatigued, and it made them look real, real bad last night.
- Pete V

They didn't close the Flyers series earlier but LA and Minnesota didn't close their series early either. Yet LA didn't have to play their game 1 until Saturday and are only playing their game 2 today while we have back-to-backs playing games 2 and 3 which includes travelling. Minnesota gets an extra day off before their game 3 which is tomorrow.

It's still stupid the way we were scheduled. No point in arguing about it or using it as an excuse but we did get royally screwed harder than any other the other 2 teams that closed their 7 game series the same night we did.

They didn't close the Flyers series earlier but LA and Minnesota didn't close their series early either. Yet LA didn't have to play their game 1 until Saturday and are only playing their game 2 today while we have back-to-backs playing games 2 and 3 which includes travelling. Minnesota gets an extra day off before their game 3 which is tomorrow.

It's still stupid the way we were scheduled. No point in arguing about it or using it as an excuse but we did get royally screwed harder than any other the other 2 teams that closed their 7 game series the same night we did.
- rangerdanger94

I think the schedule is ridicolous as well, especially playing Game 2 and 3 back to back with travel between the cities. But, what can you do about it? It is what it is. The Rangers, for the last few years, have not been able to step on teams' throats when they have them down, and that leads to fatigue. I still believe that had the Rangers not taken 7 games to beat Ottawa and the Caps in 2012, there prospects in that series against the Devils would have been a whole hell of alot better.

I think the schedule is ridicolous as well, especially playing Game 2 and 3 back to back with travel between the cities. But, what can you do about it? It is what it is. The Rangers, for the last few years, have not been able to step on teams' throats when they have them down, and that leads to fatigue. I still believe that had the Rangers not taken 7 games to beat Ottawa and the Caps in 2012, there prospects in that series against the Devils would have been a whole hell of alot better.
- Pete V

Play in Uniondale instead? I hear its available...

Ok, i'm done venting about last nights game. I have a good feeling about tonight. Nash with a quick opening goal.

Rangers have no leadership right now. We have plenty of leaders, but no leadership. We need an iron willed leader, a player that can step on the ice an lead the team by example with toughness, the ability to convert when needed. Its great when all the "soft minded" players can use their skill and make something happen, but it takes ice in the veins and strong mental will to stomp on a team that is fighting a desperation game.

The only player with that kind of capacity in his play and demeanor is McDonagh. When McDonagh plays lights out and also confidently carries the puck in the offensize zone creating plays and shooting, it leads the team to play a dominant style game.

Play in Uniondale instead? I hear its available...
- Emperor Filonius

I don't think they even lock it up, last person to leave shuts the lights

Ok, i'm done venting about last nights game. I have a good feeling about tonight. Nash with a quick opening goal.
- mdw7413

One of these times one of our predictions about Nash scoring is going to be right.

One of these times one of our predictions about Nash scoring is going to be right.
- Blueshirts4ever

the laws of physics and the theory of probability do not apply to the rangers, otherwise they would have scored on the power play by now.

the laws of physics and the theory of probability do not apply to the rangers, otherwise they would have scored on the power play by now.
- Nomad91

Hey. The last time a team went this long without a PP goal was 2011, the Bruins went 0 for 30 and all they did was win a cup. FWIW.

One of these times one of our predictions about Nash scoring is going to be right.
- Blueshirts4ever

Nash with the hatty...I love hatty's

Nash with the hatty...I love hatty's
- TPC

Hank with the shutout. I love shutouts.

Nash with the hatty...I love hatty's
- TPC

Hank with the shutout. I love shutouts.
- Blueshirts4ever

lol

Hey. The last time a team went this long without a PP goal was 2011, the Bruins went 0 for 30 and all they did was win a cup. FWIW.
- Blueshirts4ever

I know, I'm just being a smarta$s.

In all seriousness, I feel like the power play is more important to the rangers this year than it was to the bruins in 2011. If the rangers are going to truly transition into a speed and skill team, the pp needs to be effective or the team philosophy as a whole will be ineffective. Bruins don't need a good pp because they can just muscle their way to goals every night and have good enough defense to kill all the penalties they take in the process.

sounds like Ulf Samuelsson will be a hot head coaching candidate, very possible we only get him one year

sounds like Ulf Samuelsson will be a hot head coaching candidate, very possible we only get him one year
- jimbo83

sounds like Ulf Samuelsson will be a hot head coaching candidate, very possible we only get him one year
- jimbo83

By the draft Florida, Nashville, Vancouver, Washington, Carolina and maybe San Jose could all be looking for a new coach.

The way to beat the Pens is a very pressured defense or to try to trap. At least those are the styles of defense we seem to struggle with the most. I expect a closer game, home ice should give you guys some energy and I expect an early blitz. Hopefully Fleury will hold the fort. If we take a lead into the third it will be trouble for you as you guys may be gassed. But if you can get a lead, and trap, chances are good for you based on our track record.

The way to beat the Pens is a very pressured defense or to try to trap. At least those are the styles of defense we seem to struggle with the most. I expect a closer game, home ice should give you guys some energy and I expect an early blitz. Hopefully Fleury will hold the fort. If we take a lead into the third it will be trouble for you as you guys may be gassed. But if you can get a lead, and trap, chances are good for you based on our track record.
- powerhouse

Rangers need to score to win. they don't need to play the trap because they have good skaters. but yes, an early lead is important for the rangers. all the pens have to do to win is play dirty because the rangers pp is not a threat and actually kills their momentum. Might as well just start throwing cheap shots at em because they are unlikely to make you guys pay.

Rangers need to score to win. they don't need to play the trap because they have good skaters. but yes, an early lead is important for the rangers. all the pens have to do to win is play dirty because the rangers pp is not a threat and actually kills their momentum. Might as well just start throwing cheap shots at em because they are unlikely to make you guys pay.
- Nomad91

Rick Nash has to score, really getting sick of him coming up empty. I know he has been involved but great players play great in these games & 1 goal in 21 playoff games as a Ranger is just a disgrace.

Rick Nash has to score, really getting sick of him coming up empty. I know he has been involved but great players play great in these games & 1 goal in 21 playoff games as a Ranger is just a disgrace.
- B2B76

I have tried to stay out of the Nash fray and give him a little slack because the Rangers have been winning. But, he needs to score. I just can't see the Rangers continuing to win and advance, if he doesn't.

I have tried to stay out of the Nash fray and give him a little slack because the Rangers have been winning. But, he needs to score. I just can't see the Rangers continuing to win and advance, if he doesn't.
- Pete V

Rick Nash has to score, really getting sick of him coming up empty. I know he has been involved but great players play great in these games & 1 goal in 21 playoff games as a Ranger is just a disgrace.
- B2B76

yeah, its a choice for him now. Either change his attitude and play with heart every shift, or become just another jerk leeching off the brand name in NY.

Rangers need to score to win. they don't need to play the trap because they have good skaters. but yes, an early lead is important for the rangers. all the pens have to do to win is play dirty because the rangers pp is not a threat and actually kills their momentum. Might as well just start throwing cheap shots at em because they are unlikely to make you guys pay.
- Nomad91

Well ,yes scoring needs to happen. It's just that those styles of play force turnovers that lead to more scoring chances. Philly does it to us all the time. New Jersey gives us fits too. We are not a patient team generally so that's how teams take advantage. I'm not sure what else you would do to get your guys going?

sounds like Ulf Samuelsson will be a hot head coaching candidate, very possible we only get him one year
- jimbo83

He's certainly put in his time, like Roy did.

Hope it's a good game tonight with both teams playing their best. I think the Pens have finally found their game, which isn't good for the blueshirts.