Jan Levine: Game 23: OTT 2 NYR 0, Rangers fail to adjust to Ottawa's style of play Recent offensive struggles on full display in defeat

Rangers are a one-dimensional team right now. You take away their speed and they can't adjust to it. This is not the first time this season this has happened.

The good thing, is they have lost maybe one game this season where they got to use their speed. All other losses were when they couldn't adjust to their speed being locked down.

I was hoping that game against the Flyers would keep them playing a bit more physical to add to their speed, but that didn't happen.

I know a few key injuries have hurt the Rangers, but both players were from one line. I don't really get the full shifting of every line combo. The chemistry goes when you do that.

So... you guys have a good holiday weekend?

Clendening is much more of a reasonable argument now IMO

the powerplay is struggling and it really misses Zibinajed's right handed blast, like Jan said. Clendening could help that.

Ryan Graves is REALLY putting up the points down in Hartford as of late too, since he is playing a lot, he may be a better idea than Clendening and he has a hell of a blast from the point

Saw this coming after Puempel's comments in regards to OTT

Saw this coming after Puempel's comments in regards to OTT
- mlindsay

Ottawa is 14-7-1

the Rangers are 15-7-1

it's not really one guy's comments, they are a good team, right on MTL's ass

Ottawa is 14-7-1

the Rangers are 15-7-1

it's not really one guy's comments, they are a good team, right on MTL's ass
- jimbro83

It was obviously this guy's writing that jinxed the team

http://nypost.com/2016/11...woon-after-horses-t-game/

They need to do something with the D not just stick their head in the sand. Klein looks facking horrid

They need to do something with the D not just stick their head in the sand. Klein looks facking horrid
- mrn22

that first goal was all him and, he only got 13 minutes last night

maybe he will scratch him

I was at the game last night, Jan you hit the nail on the head, teams are clogging up the neutral zone on them, taking away the long passes and forcing them to try to stick handle and sate the puck through and into the offensive zone which is almost impossible with all the bodies in the area.
What worse is that their passing was atrocious last night. They were firing pucks at each other (in each others skates, and some passes were waist high) It was like knock hockey out there.
They need to be able to adjust to other teams. Dump/Chip and chase. Get speed through the neutral zone, and catch the defense standing still or skating back slowly trying to clog things up. Guys like Miller, Kreider, Hayes and Vesey have the size and speed to be the first ones into the zone and knock a defender off the puck, they just never made the adjustment last night and that's on AV and his staff.

that first goal was all him and, he only got 13 minutes last night

maybe he will scratch him
- jimbro83

That was tough to watch, if he is going to make a play like that at least stop the pass, instead the pass got through AND his guy was open.
I like Klein, but maybe he needs a break to regroup here because he hasnt been playing well at all.

That was tough to watch, if he is going to make a play like that at least stop the pass, instead the pass got through AND his guy was open.
I like Klein, but maybe he needs a break to regroup here because he hasnt been playing well at all.
- MiloslavHorava

I'm all for sitting Klein and playing Clendening tomorrow

it makes the most sense

Ottawa is 14-7-1

the Rangers are 15-7-1

it's not really one guy's comments, they are a good team, right on MTL's ass
- jimbro83

Never said OTT was a bad team.
Simply that Puempel's words likely fired up a good squad

that first goal was all him and, he only got 13 minutes last night

maybe he will scratch him
- jimbro83

its definitely starting to snowball. the last 8 or so games have had some nice wins like the Pitt game sprinkled in that kind of mask the issues. If they dont do something soon about the defense they will begin to creep down closer to the .500 mark

its definitely starting to snowball. the last 8 or so games have had some nice wins like the Pitt game sprinkled in that kind of mask the issues. If they dont do something soon about the defense they will begin to creep down closer to the .500 mark
- mrn22

this team projects to have 9.1 million in cap space at the deadline

they'll use it, guaranteed

this team projects to have 9.1 million in cap space at the deadline

they'll use it, guaranteed
- jimbro83

Hope they aren't planning on waiting till the deadline

Hope they aren't planning on waiting till the deadline
- mrn22

problem is the only thing people are willing to trade is Lindberg

Buchnevich returning will help.

Buchnevich returning will help.
- rangerdanger94

You getting street meat on a Sunday could've helped too..... just saying
Its the holidays, no need to be selfish and think only of yourself

problem is the only thing people are willing to trade is Lindberg
- jimbro83

Would love to see Graves get that call up, what is there to lose?

Would love to see Graves get that call up, what is there to lose?
- mrn22

I think it could be soon

he has a booming shot, 12 points in 19 games

I think it could be soon

he has a booming shot, 12 points in 19 games
- jimbro83

This teams biggest bright spots this year have come from the young kids. Time to give another one an opportunity. I cant believe how bad Klein has looked this year. Thats one of the only negatives for Gorton this summer was not realizing it was time to sell high on Klein.

This teams biggest bright spots this year have come from the young kids. Time to give another one an opportunity. I cant believe how bad Klein has looked this year. Thats one of the only negatives for Gorton this summer was not realizing it was time to sell high on Klein.
- mrn22

Then that would have forced them to Keep Mcilrath, which would have made the defense slower. That side is an issue.

Then that would have forced them to Keep Mcilrath, which would have made the defense slower. That side is an issue.
- tomburton99

the Florida GM is the man who acquired McIlrath, now he is the coach too, maybe he'll play him

Gallant took one look at McIlrath that one game and was like no way dude

the Florida GM is the man who acquired McIlrath, now he is the coach too, maybe he'll play him

Gallant took one look at McIlrath that one game and was like no way dude
- jimbro83