Jan Levine: Game 75: WAS 5 NYR 2, Analysis of a Lost Weekend. Panic, No. Concern, Yes. Time to get the mojo back

They definitely played soft of late, the team didn't seem too interested vs LA BOS and WSH. I wasn't expecting a season sweep against the Caps, and Bos just has a way of getting them off their game early and they seem to back down after that. If Hunwick can't go again you have to give McIlrath a shot, he seems to actually fill a needed void both on the right side and bringing some needed physicality. Theres no reason for him not to fill in down the stretch if Hunwick is banged up. I might also bring up Hrivik for the 4th line, again more size.

They definitely played soft of late, the team didn't seem too interested vs LA BOS and WSH. I wasn't expecting a season sweep against the Caps, and Bos just has a way of getting them off their game early and they seem to back down after that. If Hunwick can't go again you have to give McIlrath a shot, he seems to actually fill a needed void both on the right side and bringing some needed physicality. Theres no reason for him not to fill in down the stretch if Hunwick is banged up. I might also bring up Hrivik for the 4th line, again more size.
- MatzCT

The moment Wheeler, Scheifele, Byfuglien or anybody else on the Jets blows past Mcilrath we're, myself leading the charge will become frustrated. He got his chance early in the year vs the Blues.

The moment Wheeler, Scheifele, Byfuglien or anybody else on the Jets blows past Mcilrath we're, myself leading the charge will become frustrated. He got his chance early in the year vs the Blues.
- tomburton99

How many times has Hunwick been blown by last week alone? You think Summers was better?

How many times has Hunwick been blown by last week alone? You think Summers was better?
- MatzCT

None of them are fix right now. We gotta live with what we have, or don't have.

None of them are fix right now. We gotta live with what we have, or don't have.
- tomburton99

the point is, if Hunwick is still banged up and we need to dress another d-man it should be McIlrath over anyone else. The Jets are a big team and I'm tired of seeing Hunwick getting outmuscled on the boards each game. And if he's banged up then he not better than a big healthy body filling in.

With MSL coming back soon, where so you put him? I think he should go with Hayes and Hags. Hayes has been our best center during the past couple months and his vision and control of the puck combined with his passing could give MSL a ton of room out there.

http://sports.yahoo.com/b...are-anyone-120959570.html



Still 100% confident in this team

Now you guys look like winning the Metro & possibly the East, are there any out there thinking that should give you an advantage in the playoffs? I would think that the higher the seed the more advantageous it should be. For example in the playoffs, if the game is tied after 60 the higher seed wins, or, the higher seed wins 3 to advance instead of 4?

2nd round same thing higher seed gets advantage? It is a reward for finishing high otherwise the 82 game season is for what?

Another thing maybe top seeds play but cannot be eliminated - you would have to shuffle the playoff draw for that by combining both divisions into a top 8 format then dividing top 4 bottom 4. Top 4 play each other 1v4, 2v3 & winners go straight to 3rd round losers play 2nd round. Bottom 5v8 6v7 losers out winners play top losers.

It just seems that there's no benefit for powering through the 82 season & there should be some reward?

What advantage do you have if you play Isles or Caps?

Now you guys look like winning the Metro & possibly the East, are there any out there thinking that should give you an advantage in the playoffs? I would think that the higher the seed the more advantageous it should be. For example in the playoffs, if the game is tied after 60 the higher seed wins, or, the higher seed wins 3 to advance instead of 4?

2nd round same thing higher seed gets advantage? It is a reward for finishing high otherwise the 82 game season is for what?

Another thing maybe top seeds play but cannot be eliminated - you would have to shuffle the playoff draw for that by combining both divisions into a top 8 format then dividing top 4 bottom 4. Top 4 play each other 1v4, 2v3 & winners go straight to 3rd round losers play 2nd round. Bottom 5v8 6v7 losers out winners play top losers.

It just seems that there's no benefit for powering through the 82 season & there should be some reward?

What advantage do you have if you play Isles or Caps?
- Aussiepenguin

if we play the Caps, our advantage is that we have eliminated them the last two times we have seen them in the playoffs, one in a game 7 at home, the other in a game 7 on the road and have better defensemen and a goalie when everyone is healthy.

The Islanders are a tough matchup for the Rangers. Extremely emotional series that would bring out the best in the Islanders.

I don't want any part of them in the first round.

Now you guys look like winning the Metro & possibly the East, are there any out there thinking that should give you an advantage in the playoffs? I would think that the higher the seed the more advantageous it should be. For example in the playoffs, if the game is tied after 60 the higher seed wins, or, the higher seed wins 3 to advance instead of 4?

2nd round same thing higher seed gets advantage? It is a reward for finishing high otherwise the 82 game season is for what?

Another thing maybe top seeds play but cannot be eliminated - you would have to shuffle the playoff draw for that by combining both divisions into a top 8 format then dividing top 4 bottom 4. Top 4 play each other 1v4, 2v3 & winners go straight to 3rd round losers play 2nd round. Bottom 5v8 6v7 losers out winners play top losers.

It just seems that there's no benefit for powering through the 82 season & there should be some reward?

What advantage do you have if you play Isles or Caps?
- Aussiepenguin

Top seed has home ice advantage

The moment Wheeler, Scheifele, Byfuglien or anybody else on the Jets blows past Mcilrath we're, myself leading the charge will become frustrated. He got his chance early in the year vs the Blues.
- tomburton99

Does that one game really define McIlrath's entire career?

#McIlNastyByTyga

if we play the Caps, our advantage is that we have eliminated them the last two times we have seen them in the playoffs, one in a game 7 at home, the other in a game 7 on the road and have better defensemen and a goalie when everyone is healthy.

The Islanders are a tough matchup for the Rangers. Extremely emotional series that would bring out the best in the Islanders.

I don't want any part of them in the first round.
- jimbro83

So is home ice advantage a big enough advantage for being so good through 82 when a team finishes in a wild card position (potentially) scares the top seed? I just don't see the reward for being so good so long.

So is home ice advantage a big enough advantage for being so good through 82 when a team finishes in a wild card position (potentially) scares the top seed? I just don't see the reward for being so good so long.
- Aussiepenguin

I mean every sport is like this. What's the point of having playoffs if they just hand out regular season awards?

So is home ice advantage a big enough advantage for being so good through 82 when a team finishes in a wild card position (potentially) scares the top seed? I just don't see the reward for being so good so long.
- Aussiepenguin

Home ice is pretty nice more for the last line change over the home crowd.

http://sports.yahoo.com/blogs/nhl-puck-daddy/what-we-learned--should-the-ny-rangers-actually-scare-anyone-120959570.html



Still 100% confident in this team
- RAG$4LIFE

There really is no reason not to be. They're skilled, fast, play great defensively, have great goaltending, coaching, hungrey and playoff tested.

They definitely played soft of late, the team didn't seem too interested vs LA BOS and WSH. I wasn't expecting a season sweep against the Caps, and Bos just has a way of getting them off their game early and they seem to back down after that. If Hunwick can't go again you have to give McIlrath a shot, he seems to actually fill a needed void both on the right side and bringing some needed physicality. Theres no reason for him not to fill in down the stretch if Hunwick is banged up. I might also bring up Hrivik for the 4th line, again more size.
- MatzCT

I would completely agree. McIlrath should be playing. he cant do much worse than Hunwick or Summers. also idk why AV keeps putting Fast on the 2nd line. he is not ready for that. he is barely ready for 3rd line minutes...

I mean every sport is like this. What's the point of having playoffs if they just hand out regular season awards?
- TPC

I'm not saying eliminate the playoffs I'm saying reward the teams that play good consistent hockey all year & give them an advantage over a team that is inconsistent or has a lot of puck luck & squeaks into the 2nd comp - what's wrong with that?

Why not say the team seeded higher only has to tie the game to win until the conference final or at least 2nd round? Reward the good 82 game teams. You will see more motivated games at the end of 82 as well. No playoff bound teams going to sleep.

You have teams built differently that struggle week in week out but once they get to playoffs are very strong. So you give a team that plays well for a month Stanley because they kick arse or are lucky (frank)ers for the playoffs where rules are different & suits them? I say make it a little harder for those teams & reward the good teams. The finals are set up as I said above here in Australia for our major footy codes. You win a lot of games through the season you are rewarded in the finals. Now in saying that teams can still win from anywhere provided they can put it together at the right time.

Just an idea.

I would completely agree. McIlrath should be playing. he cant do much worse than Hunwick or Summers. also idk why AV keeps putting Fast on the 2nd line. he is not ready for that. he is barely ready for 3rd line minutes...
- richardson30

I actually think Hunwick is pretty good. Don't see why everyone is trying to force an AHL player into the lineup over him.

McIlrath has less experience and is a worse skater, which is an important skill to have in our system, so Hunwick and Summers are ahead of him at this point in the year.

I'm not saying eliminate the playoffs I'm saying reward the teams that play good consistent hockey all year & give them an advantage over a team that is inconsistent or has a lot of puck luck & squeaks into the 2nd comp - what's wrong with that?

Why not say the team seeded higher only has to tie the game to win until the conference final or at least 2nd round? Reward the good 82 game teams. You will see more motivated games at the end of 82 as well. No playoff bound teams going to sleep.

You have teams built differently that struggle week in week out but once they get to playoffs are very strong. So you give a team that plays well for a month Stanley because they kick arse or are lucky (frank)ers for the playoffs where rules are different & suits them? I say make it a little harder for those teams & reward the good teams. The finals are set up as I said above here in Australia for our major footy codes. You win a lot of games through the season you are rewarded in the finals. Now in saying that teams can still win from anywhere provided they can put it together at the right time.

Just an idea.
- Aussiepenguin

Pretty bad idea imo

I would completely agree. McIlrath should be playing. he cant do much worse than Hunwick or Summers. also idk why AV keeps putting Fast on the 2nd line. he is not ready for that. he is barely ready for 3rd line minutes...
- richardson30

we could keep saying bring up McIlrath all we want, but the fact is that this organization makes some pretty solid decisions, and not calling up McIlrath in a time of need speaks volumes about the reality of this guy.

From the actions of this organization, the writing is on the wall what they think about McIlrath.

we could keep saying bring up McIlrath all we want, but the fact is that this organization makes some pretty solid decisions, and not calling up McIlrath in a time of need speaks volumes about the reality of this guy.

From the actions of this organization, the writing is on the wall what they think about McIlrath.
- jimbro83

I think you need to suck jimbo's balls

#TeamMcIlrath

I think you need to suck jimbo's balls

#TeamMcIlrath
- rangerdanger94

people can suck them at their leisure

people can suck them at their leisure
- jimbro83

It's why I love the imagination land episode...for and hour and a half Cartman's only goal is to get Kyle to suck his balls

people can suck them at their leisure
- jimbro83

Captain and vukota keep hogging them