Sam Hitchcock: Can the Lightning Exploit the Rangers' Deficiencies?

Despite the additions of Panarin and Trouba, the Rangers are still rebuilding. All they did, otherwise, was buy a pair of franchise cornerstones.... this was a good move.

I really love what they're doing in New York (hell, both teams). But let's not get ahead of ourselves, the Blueshirts need another year or two for it all to gel. It'll get there.


As for the Bolts, I was far happier with those two games in Sweden than I have been at any other point this season, so far, with the lads.

The Maroon-Paquette-Gourde line...works. I'm a little surprised, to be honest, but Gourde seems to be "the guy" to go along with the other two. Yanni has great skill and hustle, but I think he needs to play with high energy grinding players to really get the best out of him. And, the last two games seem to prove that, for the time being.

Overall, I'm cautiously optimistic after the last two games. Now, it's time to find consistency.

hot mess???

you know the Pittsburgh blogger thinking that the Rangers are going to be a cakewalk didn't work out too well last night

The Rangers are not supposed to be good this year. Our oldest defenseman is 25 years old and we have the youngest team in the league. They will be good eventually, but thanks for stating the obvious.

Maybe take a look at the standings before posting. The "separation" between Rags and a playoff-spot is 4 points (with games in hand). They are above .500 right now.

I actually think they have over-performed so far in relation to the expectations.

So, what I get from this is that Sam is Tanner with a little more knowledge of his own team.

At any given time, King Henrik could go on a hot streak and the Rangers can dominate. Throw in the Bread Man, and they are not to be taken lightly. Stats say this or that, but they often don't tell the entire story.

Any team can beat the Lightning at any time right now. Until the Bolts find their groove, they are vulnerable.

I think the same template that beat the Sabres could work against the Blueshirts. Nobody expects the Lightning to be a physical team, so take the body and take it with great vengeance and furious anger. Just please keep it clean - we don't need Kuch turning into a Richard, that's what Paquette is for.

Is the only way to get clicks to say how horrible the Rangers are? I mean are we great no, are we doing better than most expected yes. We don't have any D over the age of 26 (in the line up) Hank hasn't been the Hank of old consistently, but I guarantee any team would love to have the the players we have in the pipeline from goalies out we are pretty stacked for the future.

So, what I get from this is that Sam is Tanner with a little more knowledge of his own team.
- Tonybere

Sam's team is the New Jersey Devils he just writes about the Lightning. Don't take this wrong as I am glad he does write about the Bolts because this board would be dead without him but make no mistake he is a Devils man.

Sam's team is the New Jersey Devils he just writes about the Lightning. Don't take this wrong as I am glad he does write about the Bolts because this board would be dead without him but make no mistake he is a Devils man.
- stammerman

That's unexpected. I was just speaking to his use of advanced metrics and that from reading his post, it would seem he is largely unaware of what is going on with NYR at this time.
Not that the Rangers don't have their share of deficiencies to exploit, but they are playing very well right now. And, I would be shocked if a team with 7 players aged 21 and under did NOT have some ugly stats!

Despite the additions of Panarin and Trouba, the Rangers are still rebuilding. All they did, otherwise, was buy a pair of franchise cornerstones.... this was a good move.

I really love what they're doing in New York (hell, both teams). But let's not get ahead of ourselves, the Blueshirts need another year or two for it all to gel. It'll get there.


As for the Bolts, I was far happier with those two games in Sweden than I have been at any other point this season, so far, with the lads.

The Maroon-Paquette-Gourde line...works. I'm a little surprised, to be honest, but Gourde seems to be "the guy" to go along with the other two. Yanni has great skill and hustle, but I think he needs to play with high energy grinding players to really get the best out of him. And, the last two games seem to prove that, for the time being.

Overall, I'm cautiously optimistic after the last two games. Now, it's time to find consistency.
- OzBolts

That is largely due to losing Zuccerello, Hayes, McDonough, Vesey, and likely Kreider yet. They let some quality players walk and chose to overspend on some on the top ranked UFA's. I mean, Panarin was a +3 in an absolute beatdown tonight, so I guess we can't blame him. Trouba was a terrible signing. Great skater with zero hockey IQ and zero discipline. You boys exposed the rangers "offensive" D tonight. They were already ranked 31st in most categories, and I think this will solidify that spot for the next couple weeks.