Jan Levine: Game 36: NYR 3 BUF 2, OT, Zib gives Rangers the win w/ 28 ticks left late game magic

Quinn needs to find a way to get that 3rd line more minutes. As much as we’d like to see them make the playoffs it’s not happening.

If Quinn is now focused on his own contract and how he is perceived, altering how he coaches a development team, now I take issue with Quinn.
I am not saying a coach should not worry about his contract or future with the team, however, if Quinn is focusing on playoffs and standings, that flies in contradiction to what JD and Gorton has publicly expressed, before the season, that this team is being built for future, sustained success and not immediately playoff pushes.
So if Quinn is operating on a different plane than management and the kids are being sacrificed minutes of development. Now I focus on Quinn for a legit reason.

Quinn needs to find a way to get that 3rd line more minutes. As much as we’d like to see them make the playoffs it’s not happening.
- nyrangers9479

Boston is catchable

tell me people wouldn't want a playoff series with the Islanders

we can beat the Capitals, why not?

Boston is catchable

tell me people wouldn't want a playoff series with the Islanders

we can beat the Capitals, why not?
- jimbro83

And the last two games are vs Boston, ain’t that something

And the last two games are vs Boston, ain’t that something
- Slimtj100

the Rangers last games are, the Bruins aren't, they finish with two make up games vs Washington

imagine how tortorous that could be

And the last two games are vs Boston, ain’t that something
- Slimtj100

Setup for magical drama.

If Quinn is now focused on his own contract and how he is perceived, altering how he coaches a development team, now I take issue with Quinn.
I am not saying a coach should not worry about his contract or future with the team, however, if Quinn is focusing on playoffs and standings, that flies in contradiction to what JD and Gorton has publicly expressed, before the season, that this team is being built for future, sustained success and not immediately playoff pushes.
So if Quinn is operating on a different plane than management and the kids are being sacrificed minutes of development. Now I focus on Quinn for a legit reason.
- NYRCeph

I think we are reading too much into this situation. Shocking, I know.
That 3rd line was under pressure in their own zone a lot last night. And Gauthier didn’t have a particularly good game. I think that has at least as much to do with Laf’s ice time as Quinn focusing on a win.
Which, are you guys really telling me that an NHL coach who’s team is just outside the playoffs isn’t supposed to try and win games? Come on now.
Winning and developing youth are not mutually exclusive. We have come a long way. Learning what it takes to close out close games is a good part of their education right now.
Let’s take the W and look to the next one.

Boston is catchable

tell me people wouldn't want a playoff series with the Islanders

we can beat the Capitals, why not?
- jimbro83

I think it says something that the Rangers and the Stars are the only non-playoff teams that have positive goal differentials. Dallas is +3, we are +19! That is 2nd best in the division. And we have the 3rd best record in the division over the last 10 games. We’ve made big strides recently.
We have work to do, for sure. But, I think we have a better shot than Phillly, and the Bruins are reeling. Who knows??

I think it says something that the Rangers and the Stars are the only non-playoff teams that have positive goal differentials. Dallas is +3, we are +19! That is 2nd best in the division. And we have the 3rd best record in the division over the last 10 games. We’ve made big strides recently.
We have work to do, for sure. But, I think we have a better shot than Phillly, and the Bruins are reeling. Who knows??
- Tonybere

I still think we have a shot. There's currently 3 teams basically tied for the division. One of those teams is going to start losing. If we get hot, we might actually get closer to one of them than expected.

Boston doesn't look great now, it's possible they don't even go .500 the rest of the way. If that happens, a good record probably still gets us in.

I still think we have a shot. There's currently 3 teams basically tied for the division. One of those teams is going to start losing. If we get hot, we might actually get closer to one of them than expected.

Boston doesn't look great now, it's possible they don't even go .500 the rest of the way. If that happens, a good record probably still gets us in.
- 2sticks1puck

iI think we do have a shot

and if we fall short, oh well, we are probably picking in the draft 13th overall at best anyway

next year with a normal off season and normal regular season I'll worry more about Lafreniere's minutes

iI think we do have a shot

and if we fall short, oh well, we are probably picking in the draft 13th overall at best anyway

next year with a normal off season and normal regular season I'll worry more about Lafreniere's minutes
- jimbo83

I'm with you. You know the fanbase won't realize how close we were considering, our franchise goalie and several pieces missed significant time. Our best player had to take off after worrying about being offed. The fact that we've remained this competitive despite all this and riding our 3rd string goalie should show people what a good team we really are.

I'm with you. You know the fanbase won't realize how close we were considering, our franchise goalie and several pieces missed significant time. Our best player had to take off after worrying about being offed. The fact that we've remained this competitive despite all this and riding our 3rd string goalie should show people what a good team we really are.
- 2sticks1puck

if Shesty's healthy we can win any game no matter who it is

if Shesty's healthy we can win any game no matter who it is
- jimbo83

Shesty is a phenomenal talent. My only two worries with him is he gets lost on some plays and at least 2-3 times a game he gets up slowly. Never know if he’s hurt or tired

Shesty is a phenomenal talent. My only two worries with him is her gets lost on some plays and at least 2-3 times a game he gets up slowly. Never know if he’s hurt or tired
- nyrangers2

He's never played a full NHL season, I think both of those things over time will kind of fix themselves.

I do think we need a backup who is capable if playing 15-20 games a year with no worries. I think talent wise, Shesty can be as good as Hank, but I'm not sure he's quite going to be a workhorse that he was. We have some guys coming up through the system, but Kinkaid to me has proven he can be that guy for next year.

if Shesty's healthy we can win any game no matter who it is
- jimbo83

I really think we can be a fringe contender next year. I know people are going to think I'm nuts, but this team reminds me so much of say the circa 2013 Tampa team right before they got going. Even someone like Strome is sort of equivalent to what Tyler Johnson was to them.

Fox has had no sophmore slump, he should be in the running for a Norris. I don't see Key having one either, he's exceeded every reasonable expectation for him so far I think.

Can't really comment today, didn't get to see any of the game. Go team. Play Kravtsov

I’m not sure how to react to the Quinn comments if they’re true snd not out of context. I’m not sure if ever have made that public knowledge! But with that said, it’s why I have preached breaking up some of the lines to keep the kids in the line up, spread the wealth!
Zibanejad, Lafreniere, Buchnevich
Strome, Kreider, Kaako
Chytil, Panarin, Kravtsov/ Gautheir
Rooney, PDG, Blackwell/ Gautheir, Howden

Fox Lindgren
Trouba, Miller
Reunanen, Hajek

This forces the coaching staff to play all three lines equally but insulates the kids from pressure in their zone.

If we are in this season for development than develop and experiment now.

I’m not sure how to react to the Quinn comments if they’re true snd not out of context. I’m not sure if ever have made that public knowledge! But with that said, it’s why I have preached breaking up some of the lines to keep the kids in the line up, spread the wealth!
Zibanejad, Lafreniere, Buchnevich
Strome, Kreider, Kaako
Chytil, Panarin, Kravtsov/ Gautheir
Rooney, PDG, Blackwell/ Gautheir, Howden

Fox Lindgren
Trouba, Miller
Reunanen, Hajek

This forces the coaching staff to play all three lines equally but insulates the kids from pressure in their zone.

If we are in this season for development than develop and experiment now.
- rangerbluelou

Laf Mika buch
Panarin strome Kakko
Kreider chytl kravtsov

Kreider still gets his pp1 minutes

Boston is catchable

tell me people wouldn't want a playoff series with the Islanders

we can beat the Capitals, why not?
- jimbro83

Philly has terrible D and a goalie problem.

Boston has the 2nd least 5 vs. 5 goals scored in the entire NHL. They have ONE scoring line and thats it. I expect them to be buyers in the next week to address this problem.

I like the way we are trending, but not sure we can catch them...

Philly has terrible D and a goalie problem.

Boston has the 2nd least 5 vs. 5 goals scored in the entire NHL. They have ONE scoring line and thats it. I expect them to be buyers in the next week to address this problem.

I like the way we are trending, but not sure we can catch them...
- TommyGTrain

as long as we are in striking distance of them when we face them the last two games of the season and of course win those two games

then their last two games vs Washington are very tough games for them

I commend Quinn for thinking his team can push for the playoffs, but the odds as of yesterday were only 16% according to The Athletic (before the Rangers won and Boston lost). If he continues to push the team, and they end up beating Boston the last 2 games of the season to sneak in, he looks like a genius.

But I really wonder how management is viewing success this season. Is it more valuable to push and ride the vets at the expense of our young forwards development, only to come up 4 points short? It’s a tough question, and I think the answer is a bit of a compromise. Laf playing under 10 minutes isn’t getting it done, that’s for sure.

So let me see if I'm reading this right... Quinn shouldn't play his best players. He should play young guys for more minutes to make the fan base happy.....

Philly has terrible D and a goalie problem.

Boston has the 2nd least 5 vs. 5 goals scored in the entire NHL. They have ONE scoring line and thats it. I expect them to be buyers in the next week to address this problem.

I like the way we are trending, but not sure we can catch them...
- TommyGTrain

It will definitely be a challenge, there's no doubt about that. I'd rather they have the opportunities than not, though. This time of year, you just want the team to be in a position to play meaningful games.

If the kid line isn't having the best game and the team needs to squeak out a win, so be it. They'll have plenty of opportunities in other games.

So let me see if I'm reading this right... Quinn shouldn't play his best players. He should play young guys for more minutes to make the fan base happy.....
- mdw7413