Love Kane and Panarin, but get used to the power play being that those 2 will try to pass cross ice to each other for 2 minutes and nobody else touches the puck. Feel sorry for the other skilled Rangers. Those 2 drove me nuts when on the power play in Chicago, not trolling on your blog, just my biggest pet peeve when those 2 played in Chicago together.

And we are saying that this is precisely what will happen as they get more comfortable in these new lines. We have 20 games to get in synch. Why would you not expect them to improve? Just a pessimistic disposition?
- Tonybere

One thing I will say is I'm worried about compete level. Rangers up by a few goals no problem, they definitely have the skill. But if its a close game, I think we will have to rely on Shesty standing on his head. I guess it could change, but I'm seeing a pattern of the Rangers getting out worked recently

Love Kane and Panarin, but get used to the power play being that those 2 will try to pass cross ice to each other for 2 minutes and nobody else touches the puck. Feel sorry for the other skilled Rangers. Those 2 drove me nuts when on the power play in Chicago, not trolling on your blog, just my biggest pet peeve when those 2 played in Chicago together.
- ChicagoHope

Yeah, I could see it Saw that a little bit last night. I'm yelling at the tv, Shoot the puck!

I am not worried at all. Kane needs a few games and some actual practices to get the system down and start to build some chemistry. Also come playoff time Harpur and Mikkola hopefully won’t be playing big minutes or maybe non of all when it comes to Harpur.

Only Motte is concerning since he is one of our better defensive forward and penalty killers. Need a really good 4th line with the rest of the forwards not being defensive oriented
- TPC

((Enters the chat with trepidation, with football pads on haha))

I’m not worried either, surprise!!

The D situation is really in a tough spot, thanks to Miller. Like Tones said, after Saturday things will look much better. Miller and Lindgren are an enormous part of the team, it’s fairly obvious because they aren’t playing. Especially Millers speed and ability to move the puck. Lindgren is really missed around the front of the net

On Kane..I think he looked fine. A bit rusty probably. But he did have burst which should help the hip worriers. Seemed a bit unselfish which has become somewhat of an epidemic on this team. Give him time. The league is going to learn quickly to stay out of the penalty box vs us

Hopefully Motte is ok, but I’d suggest landing him on LTIR regardless if he needs it or not, and get someone else via trade or the Pack with the 1.35 it would free up. Idk if this is legal tho

Proud of you guys tho, doesn’t seem overly negative today

And we are saying that this is precisely what will happen as they get more comfortable in these new lines. We have 20 games to get in synch. Why would you not expect them to improve? Just a pessimistic disposition?
- Tonybere

it's not about them playing well or not, it's about them being too one dimensional. Hope I'm wrong, and they start to play a more North/South game come playoff time, and win a low scoring game here and there...God forbid

it's not about them playing well or not, it's about them being too one dimensional. Hope I'm wrong, and they start to play a more North/South game come playoff time, and win a low scoring game here and there...God forbid
- rrentz

They couldn't do that last year with better goaltending...

He is, AND has the most punchable face in the NHL
- rrentz

Can't remember who said it, but he does have an early jason vorhees looking going on lol. He is a great power forward though. Hard to knock off the puck and always finishing his checks hard.

Can't remember who said it, but he does have an early jason vorhees looking going on lol. He is a great power forward though. Hard to knock off the puck and always finishing his checks hard.
- bonzo11

That was me. Brady is ugly mofo man Yeesh

They couldn't do that last year with better goaltending...
- tomburton99

Hey, Im not a GM, but IMO I feel Drury got bedazzled a bit too much with notion of getting both Kane and Tarasenko.. Getting Lafferty and Barbashev and Kane or Tarasenko would've been better way to go. Also, getting another mean Dman (i.e. Schenn) instead of Mikkola would've made for a more complete team. Hope I'm wrong

Rangers are 2-5 in their last 7 games. That seems bad.
- tomburton99

Yes, that does. The last seven games haven't been their best by any means but I am willing to give them the benefit of the doubt. The past week we've been playing shorthanded, have had distractions with everything going on, and had to ice Ben Harpur & Mikkola regularly. Let's get healthy and acclimated with the new combos these last twenty games, that is really all that matters. We are almost guaranteed to play either NJD or CAR.

it's not about them playing well or not, it's about them being too one dimensional. Hope I'm wrong, and they start to play a more North/South game come playoff time, and win a low scoring game here and there...God forbid
- rrentz

I have my concerns about team defense as well. I just don't see it not improving as they get more time together.
Obviously, they need to focus on D more than they may have previously. Hopefully Turk can put some fire under them in that regard.

Hey, Im not a GM, but IMO I feel Drury got bedazzled a bit too much with notion of getting both Kane and Tarasenko.. Getting Lafferty and Barbashev and Kane or Tarasenko would've been better way to go. Also, getting another mean Dman (i.e. Schenn) instead of Mikkola would've made for a more complete team. Hope I'm wrong
- rrentz

I think Cuylle is the ace in the hole, regarding that. I think that’s why they dumped Reaves and Blais and haven’t really added the jam. I don’t see how he isn’t the 13th F once they’re able to have one, and in the playoffs. Not so much to fight, but more agitation, aggression and beef

Biggest problem I see going into the playoffs is the forecheck. The skill on this team is fantastic and they love carrying the puck in. Get a team that clogs up the neutral zone and they have dump the puck in and battle on the forecheck, yup, thats going to be an issue

I think Cuylle is the ace in the hole, regarding that. I think that’s why they dumped Reaves and Blais and haven’t really added the jam. I don’t see how he isn’t the 13th F once they’re able to have one, and in the playoffs. Not so much to fight, but more agitation, aggression and beef
- Slimtj100

You said Kane was the Ace in the hole!!!

You said Kane was the Ace in the hole!!!
- Brukie

Agreed, Rangers on pace to lose every single game he plays in

That was me. Brady is ugly mofo man Yeesh
- Slimtj100

He really is haha. I hate seeing him play the rangers though. He is a pain in the ass and seems to be one of those guys that playing the rangers, especially at msg, will bring the best out of him.

I have my concerns about team defense as well. I just don't see it not improving as they get more time together.
Obviously, they need to focus on D more than they may have previously. Hopefully Turk can put some fire under them in that regard.
- Tonybere

This where I disagree the team didn't score enough last year when it mattered despite not playing well defensively. The trend of the the unpredictable defensive results has carried over. So I get trying to out score your problems. Those problems are happening slightly more because Shesterkin has been above average and not super human.

I think Cuylle is the ace in the hole, regarding that. I think that’s why they dumped Reaves and Blais and haven’t really added the jam. I don’t see how he isn’t the 13th F once they’re able to have one, and in the playoffs. Not so much to fight, but more agitation, aggression and beef
- Slimtj100

Agreed, but Kreider, Trocheck, Kane, Tarasenko, PANARIN, Zibby, and Kid Line all need to start playing "playoff" hockey NOW! With exception of Trouba...all other Dmen need to adjust their game mighty quick. Schneider was totally responsible for those 3rd pd. goals..Both of which he was poke checking 1 foot in front of crease! BS!!! He should've taken body both times. It's infuriating! 20 games left and 3rd spot in Metro is not a lock just yet.

You said Kane was the Ace in the hole!!!
- Brukie

Nah, over the top piece. I do worry about the beefiness tho

Biggest problem I see going into the playoffs is the forecheck. The skill on this team is fantastic and they love carrying the puck in. Get a team that clogs up the neutral zone and they have dump the puck in and battle on the forecheck, yup, thats going to be an issue
- mdw7413

.

Ugly/grinding/cycle goals count just as much as a tic tac toe goal. Actuall...I take that back, the ugly/grinding goals are worth more b/c they have lasting effects on opponent

You said Kane was the Ace in the hole!!!
- Brukie

It's one game. Give him time to learn the system and get comfortable with his teammates. He was in Chicago 16 years. Tarasenko started out slow and now he's been one of our top players these past few games. On a side note, I've always been pissed off they drafted mcilrath over him. I'm getting more bitter thinking about what could have been had we selected him instead

Agreed, but Kreider, Trocheck, Kane, Tarasenko, PANARIN, Zibby, and Kid Line all need to start playing "playoff" hockey NOW! With exception of Trouba...all other Dmen need to adjust their game mighty quick. Schneider was totally responsible for those 3rd pd. goals..Both of which he was poke checking 1 foot in front of crease! BS!!! He should've taken body both times. It's infuriating! 20 games left and 3rd spot in Metro is not a lock just yet.
- rrentz

I’m giving the D a bit of a pass. This is not a normal way to be playing (with 4-5 guys). They looked spent last night

. Ugly/grinding/cycle goals count just as much as a tic tac toe goal. IMO, the ugly/grinding goals are worth more b/c they have lasting effects on opponent
- rrentz

Yup, wear down the other teams defense. People should watch next game how many times rangers pass up a hit on a defenseman on the boards with the puck. They stick check and skate right by. The other teams defense get an easy out cause they dont have to worry about physical contact.

I’m giving the D a bit of a pass. This is not a normal way to be playing (with 4-5 guys). They looked spent last night
- Slimtj100

Agreed. Not saying anything about the D till they are rolling 3 pairs