It is really difficult to find the time to have the energy to post all the things i'd like to post.
This season is rocking so far. Many surprises and a lot of good new talent has accumulated over the past few seasons as well. There is this feeling, for me - meaning whether it is realistic or not, I have a feeling it's the beginning of the changing of the eras.
So many seasons have been Crosby and Ovechkin and Malkin with some also-rans like Perry and Stamkos and such.
But now it looks like we are seeing the next wave of elites. Edmonton has two potentially elite forwards in Hall and McDavid - if Draisaitl continues his play, who will stop that forward depth in upcoming years. If they get a defense top four (without selling too much youth), they are on the cusp of great things. Buffalo with top lines boasting O'Reilly who is stepping up and those Eichel and Reinhart kids, are heading in a good direction. Arizona's group of kids - Max Domi, Anthony Duclair and Tobias Reider - is fun to see. Colorado has regrouped this season and those young boys, Duchene and McKinnon and Landeskog, are shining. Taransenko with St Louis is showing he isn't a fluke. And, of course, Dallas's top two Benn and Seguin - not as young as the others, but still a lot of future left for them. And I guess Johnny Gaudreau can't be ignored - when he's healthy Calgary's attack is difficult to contain for 60 minutes.
To not mention the other new names that are looking like impact players would be missing the point. Artemi Panarin and Dylan Larkin are adding good depth to some old regimes in Chicago and Detroit respectively. John Klingberg in Dallas seems to be channeling Paul Coffey in moments. Evgeny Kuznetsov at Washington might be one of those impact players for years to came, too.
It is fun to watch all these younger players and see the potential. Of course, not all of them are going to be the elite. And the old regime isn't done - even Jaromir Jagr is leading his young team in scoring. Jarome Iginla is still a positive producer. Shane Doan is captaining and producing for the Coyotes.
And of course, Chicago and Los Angeles aren't done. Stamkos and Ovechkin and Crosby have a lot of good seasons ahead of them, as well.
It's a fun time to be a fan.
12 January 2016
11 January 2016
Perspectives: Evgeny Kuznetsov
Holy cow, I love this kid. Not to mention his favorite player is Alexei Kovalev*.
I have just started to watch the Capitals more this season - and this kid does some very composed things on the ice. If he stays away from injuries, he will be helping this Capital's team come June.
Sweet hands and very good skating and good vision. That is pretty much every tool right there. I look forward to watching him more.
Great article - I love his perspective!
* My favorite player is also Alexei Kovalev. Number 27 on the '94 Stanley Cup Champion Rangers. Everyone remembers 2 Brian Leetch D, 9 Adam Graves LW, 11 Mark Messier C and 35 Mike Richter G and maybe even 32 Stephane Matteau LW. But as important as any of these to that Cup run was 27 Alexei Kovalev RW.
I have just started to watch the Capitals more this season - and this kid does some very composed things on the ice. If he stays away from injuries, he will be helping this Capital's team come June.
Sweet hands and very good skating and good vision. That is pretty much every tool right there. I look forward to watching him more.
Great article - I love his perspective!
* My favorite player is also Alexei Kovalev. Number 27 on the '94 Stanley Cup Champion Rangers. Everyone remembers 2 Brian Leetch D, 9 Adam Graves LW, 11 Mark Messier C and 35 Mike Richter G and maybe even 32 Stephane Matteau LW. But as important as any of these to that Cup run was 27 Alexei Kovalev RW.
Perspectives: Ryan Whitney
I remember Ryan Whitney for a very quick minute in my memory. He must have been a good skater because this quick memory is of me responding to something he did and going 'Who is this guy?'
He had a couple of good years early on and I remember him with the Penguins and Ducks...
Anyway, here is his take on playing in Russia - very much worth the read.
He had a couple of good years early on and I remember him with the Penguins and Ducks...
Anyway, here is his take on playing in Russia - very much worth the read.
Goalies are Overrated: Carey Price and Florida's current 12 game win streak
Lots is being made about the effect Carey Price G has on the Montreal Canadiens. And really it is not a terrible argument. Before Price went out long term with some weird injury, the Habs were sitting on top as the best team in the league. Mike Condon G is not Carey Price G and now the team is battling to remain in the playoff hunt.
I've always said a bad goalie will kill a team. However, the impact of a great goalie is often even unseen versus a standard tight goalie. Think Corey Crawford G in Chicago vs Henrik Lundqvist G in New York. If that trade was made 8 years ago, would we now be looking at multiple cups in New York instead of Chicago!? Or would Chicago now be on an epic cup run?! It is unlikely the successes and troubles of either team would change much at all, if any.
Is Mike Condon G bad? I don't know. And, truly, if Price returns and Montreal becomes unbeatable again, I will have to change my tune (unless other changes have taken place). In my opinion, Montreal came into the season playing exactly their best. Max Pacioretty LW and Tomas Plekanec C were doing their thing and P.K. Subban D and Andrei Markov D were doing their thing. And the rest of the team was playing solid. Guys like Brendan Gallagher RW and Lars Eller C were keeping in the system and the depth players weren't giving up much.
Add to this, the fact that few teams were gelling in those early weeks of the season and this Montreal team were able to pull off quite a run of dominance.
This isn't the case of late. Those top four are still producing. And Gallagher, even though out with an injury for a bit, has contributed as much as he should. But pretty much that is it for this team. Everyone else has dropped off. And it really started to show just before Price went down the first time.
I look forward to Price's return. If the Habs are sparked into multi-game win streaks and make a renewed charge to the top, my view of team hockey might change. However, when he comes back and Montreal continues to struggle, just as they are with Condon, well...I will have to continue saying Goalies are Overrated.
Side-note: Much of Montreal's worst loss streaks were also without Brendan Gallagher. Since his return it seems Montreal has been a slightly better team and Condon doesn't seem to be the goat as much. he team scored more than two goals only 4 times in the 17 games Gallagher missed going 5 - 11 - 1. Since his return at the beginning of 2016, they are 2 - 2 - 0 and have scored 3 goals or more twice.
As a side note, check out the 12 game win streak Florida has put together. The goalies there have vastly different paths to this team and have vastly different histories of performance, yet both are putting up the same numbers and winning. Roberto Luongo G gets most of the starts, but when Al Montoya G goes in the results are the same. What are the odds that these two just happen to be hot at the same time?! As I said, just another reason I have to say Goalies are Overrated.
I've always said a bad goalie will kill a team. However, the impact of a great goalie is often even unseen versus a standard tight goalie. Think Corey Crawford G in Chicago vs Henrik Lundqvist G in New York. If that trade was made 8 years ago, would we now be looking at multiple cups in New York instead of Chicago!? Or would Chicago now be on an epic cup run?! It is unlikely the successes and troubles of either team would change much at all, if any.
Is Mike Condon G bad? I don't know. And, truly, if Price returns and Montreal becomes unbeatable again, I will have to change my tune (unless other changes have taken place). In my opinion, Montreal came into the season playing exactly their best. Max Pacioretty LW and Tomas Plekanec C were doing their thing and P.K. Subban D and Andrei Markov D were doing their thing. And the rest of the team was playing solid. Guys like Brendan Gallagher RW and Lars Eller C were keeping in the system and the depth players weren't giving up much.
Add to this, the fact that few teams were gelling in those early weeks of the season and this Montreal team were able to pull off quite a run of dominance.
This isn't the case of late. Those top four are still producing. And Gallagher, even though out with an injury for a bit, has contributed as much as he should. But pretty much that is it for this team. Everyone else has dropped off. And it really started to show just before Price went down the first time.
I look forward to Price's return. If the Habs are sparked into multi-game win streaks and make a renewed charge to the top, my view of team hockey might change. However, when he comes back and Montreal continues to struggle, just as they are with Condon, well...I will have to continue saying Goalies are Overrated.
Side-note: Much of Montreal's worst loss streaks were also without Brendan Gallagher. Since his return it seems Montreal has been a slightly better team and Condon doesn't seem to be the goat as much. he team scored more than two goals only 4 times in the 17 games Gallagher missed going 5 - 11 - 1. Since his return at the beginning of 2016, they are 2 - 2 - 0 and have scored 3 goals or more twice.
As a side note, check out the 12 game win streak Florida has put together. The goalies there have vastly different paths to this team and have vastly different histories of performance, yet both are putting up the same numbers and winning. Roberto Luongo G gets most of the starts, but when Al Montoya G goes in the results are the same. What are the odds that these two just happen to be hot at the same time?! As I said, just another reason I have to say Goalies are Overrated.
Goalies are Overrated: Beat a dead horse...
So here's an article from The Hockey News about goalie Braden Holtby. Don't read the article - it is thick reading, but notice how Holtby is said to have improved his play this year.
I don't think that is true.
Braden Holtby has been solid since day one in the NHL. His numbers also reflect this.
And since his numbers are better this year and the Caps are winning more this year - it has to be something about how he is playing the game, right? I mean, that is what this article suggests.
But again, it isn't true. This Caps team, built around a very true star in Alex Ovechkin, has been good for many years. No matter the goalie. But they have also been missing some key pieces. On defense, they weren't deep. And that was killing them in tight games, especially playoff games. And when it came to scoring, Ovechkin was there but not a lot else. So, again, in the playoffs it certainly made the opponent's job easier. Put out your shutdown players against Ovechkin's line and see if the rest of the lines can beat your other lines. For the Caps, it always ended in a short playoff.
Two seasons ago, this team started re-tooling their defense - Matt Niskanen D was a good pick-up. That defensive depth can only help. Niskanen is a guy I never noticed in Dallas, however, playing fantasy hockey three seasons ago got me watching him play in Pittsburgh. He is a very good skater and has good hands and vision. This helps on both ends of the ice. Brooks Orpick adds toughness and leadership - but he is injured. The other big move is letting the powerplay quarterback Mike Green go. He was good on the offense-side of things, however, I think he gave up a lot more than he gave.
The other key moves were made this year - grabbing Justin Williams and T.J. Oshie. Not only do these guys add scoring depth, they are solid two-way players. No ice time against these two can be taken lightly.
Now you add a young guy like Evgeny Kuznetsov C. This kid is the real deal. He is smooth like Jaromir Jagr out there*. He's equaled his last season points total already - halfway through this season.
Overall, this team is a ton deeper than they have been the last few seasons.
I am confident that a lot of Holtby's better numbers are due to these additions and changes more so than Holtby's training. Holtby has always been solid. Further to equate the Caps' successes to Holtby's changes is even farther from the truth...and thus I have to say Goalies are Overrated.
* I'm not saying he is a second coming of Jagr - just he reminds me of him in moments. Maybe he is at least equal to a 43yr old Jagr :)
I don't think that is true.
Braden Holtby has been solid since day one in the NHL. His numbers also reflect this.
And since his numbers are better this year and the Caps are winning more this year - it has to be something about how he is playing the game, right? I mean, that is what this article suggests.
But again, it isn't true. This Caps team, built around a very true star in Alex Ovechkin, has been good for many years. No matter the goalie. But they have also been missing some key pieces. On defense, they weren't deep. And that was killing them in tight games, especially playoff games. And when it came to scoring, Ovechkin was there but not a lot else. So, again, in the playoffs it certainly made the opponent's job easier. Put out your shutdown players against Ovechkin's line and see if the rest of the lines can beat your other lines. For the Caps, it always ended in a short playoff.
Two seasons ago, this team started re-tooling their defense - Matt Niskanen D was a good pick-up. That defensive depth can only help. Niskanen is a guy I never noticed in Dallas, however, playing fantasy hockey three seasons ago got me watching him play in Pittsburgh. He is a very good skater and has good hands and vision. This helps on both ends of the ice. Brooks Orpick adds toughness and leadership - but he is injured. The other big move is letting the powerplay quarterback Mike Green go. He was good on the offense-side of things, however, I think he gave up a lot more than he gave.
The other key moves were made this year - grabbing Justin Williams and T.J. Oshie. Not only do these guys add scoring depth, they are solid two-way players. No ice time against these two can be taken lightly.
Now you add a young guy like Evgeny Kuznetsov C. This kid is the real deal. He is smooth like Jaromir Jagr out there*. He's equaled his last season points total already - halfway through this season.
Overall, this team is a ton deeper than they have been the last few seasons.
I am confident that a lot of Holtby's better numbers are due to these additions and changes more so than Holtby's training. Holtby has always been solid. Further to equate the Caps' successes to Holtby's changes is even farther from the truth...and thus I have to say Goalies are Overrated.
* I'm not saying he is a second coming of Jagr - just he reminds me of him in moments. Maybe he is at least equal to a 43yr old Jagr :)
06 January 2016
Transaction Alert: What is special about today!?
A few trades occurred today.
First, the biggest one.
Columbus sends Ryan Johansen C to Nashville for Seth Jones D.
This is a big move. Not sure either team loses here. Both need the new piece. And both got really good pieces. Personally, I don't know what makes Ryan Johansen trade-able. He is a potentially very good forward - like VERY good. Regardless, the Blue Jackets received a young really good d-man in Jones. So if you are going to get rid of a forward with such high potential, you better get something special in return - I think Columbus did.
Two other moves made today that could have an impact.
Los Angeles sends Jordan Weal C and a third round pick in this year's draft to Philadelphia for Vincent Lecavalier C and Luke Schenn D.
This is a depth move and a salary dump, I am thinking. Well, after reading about it, it helps the Flyers if they want to make a move this season, but it sounds like Lecavalier is retiring at the end of the season anyway. Truly, if the guy is healthy, he could be the guy that gets a key goal in the playoffs. He is talented. But he really has been invisible the last few seasons. And his heart certainly is questionable. The real pick for the Kings was Schenn. He adds depth to a very solid defense group. If he plays some minutes and can keep from making mistakes, the Kings are fine with this trade. Schenn, to me, is not a top four d-man. But the Kings don't need him to be. He is a force. My suspicion is that if he can play with Drew Doughty D or just learn from the guy, he will improve his game and their team.
And then there is the Washington Capitals. They signed Mike Richards C.
Mike Richards is a very good component for a team with it's eyes on the Cup. If he has his head in the game and wants to be special, he will be. The negative of this trade scares me. Washington is playing so well and the chemistry is so good. Richards's partying ways can definitely be a distraction. The Flyers didn't let him and Jeff Carter go for no reason. At the same time, Carter and Richards were big pieces of both Kings Cups. I am really hopeful that Richards has gotten himself straight.
First, the biggest one.
Columbus sends Ryan Johansen C to Nashville for Seth Jones D.
This is a big move. Not sure either team loses here. Both need the new piece. And both got really good pieces. Personally, I don't know what makes Ryan Johansen trade-able. He is a potentially very good forward - like VERY good. Regardless, the Blue Jackets received a young really good d-man in Jones. So if you are going to get rid of a forward with such high potential, you better get something special in return - I think Columbus did.
Two other moves made today that could have an impact.
Los Angeles sends Jordan Weal C and a third round pick in this year's draft to Philadelphia for Vincent Lecavalier C and Luke Schenn D.
This is a depth move and a salary dump, I am thinking. Well, after reading about it, it helps the Flyers if they want to make a move this season, but it sounds like Lecavalier is retiring at the end of the season anyway. Truly, if the guy is healthy, he could be the guy that gets a key goal in the playoffs. He is talented. But he really has been invisible the last few seasons. And his heart certainly is questionable. The real pick for the Kings was Schenn. He adds depth to a very solid defense group. If he plays some minutes and can keep from making mistakes, the Kings are fine with this trade. Schenn, to me, is not a top four d-man. But the Kings don't need him to be. He is a force. My suspicion is that if he can play with Drew Doughty D or just learn from the guy, he will improve his game and their team.
And then there is the Washington Capitals. They signed Mike Richards C.
Mike Richards is a very good component for a team with it's eyes on the Cup. If he has his head in the game and wants to be special, he will be. The negative of this trade scares me. Washington is playing so well and the chemistry is so good. Richards's partying ways can definitely be a distraction. The Flyers didn't let him and Jeff Carter go for no reason. At the same time, Carter and Richards were big pieces of both Kings Cups. I am really hopeful that Richards has gotten himself straight.
05 January 2016
Others: David Staples talks defense in Edmonton
This guy is a Hockey Guy and I always enjoy reading his stuff. Even when he voices different views than me, I respect his line of thought.
The Article
I learn from this guy. I knew Oscar Klefbom was solid but I didn't realize how solid. Darnell Nurse has impressed me with the very things Staples mentions - good puck-mover without making the own-zone mistakes. And Eric Gryba, who they picked up from Ottawa, I respected his play for just what he says - he breaks the cycle.
Hearing about Brandon Davidson is new though. I don't know the guy at all. But if Staples is correct in his analysis, having a solid top three defensemen with two or three others that don't make mistakes will make Edmonton a scary team.
Connor McDavid will return soon. If Klefbom does as well, this team could go on a run.
The Article
I learn from this guy. I knew Oscar Klefbom was solid but I didn't realize how solid. Darnell Nurse has impressed me with the very things Staples mentions - good puck-mover without making the own-zone mistakes. And Eric Gryba, who they picked up from Ottawa, I respected his play for just what he says - he breaks the cycle.
Hearing about Brandon Davidson is new though. I don't know the guy at all. But if Staples is correct in his analysis, having a solid top three defensemen with two or three others that don't make mistakes will make Edmonton a scary team.
Connor McDavid will return soon. If Klefbom does as well, this team could go on a run.
Goalies are Overrated - Thing of Beauty
Go watch that Dylan Larkin goal from last night.
The Goal
Corey Schneider is a good goalie - some would say one of the top goalies. On this play, he does all he can. He throws that stick down on a nice back flip. Many players, after beating a goalie on that shoulder dip, faux-wrister, would put that finisher toward the middle of the net. If so, Schneider would look amazing - he covered the middle with that stick. Dylan puts it close to the post - no chance for any goalie. He completes what was just a beauty of a move.
So is it really a great save if on that very play Larkin puts it to the middle of the net and gets stopped by Schneider? The goalie is doing only all he can. Larkin is the one that controls the outcome.
Shooters and goal-scorers really need to get more credit. The difference between goals and saves has a lot to do with the shooter's choice. And so i have to say - guys from the top down who continually are able to put it in the net, regardless of the net-minder, prove that Goalies are Overrated.
*Might I add a baseball analogy? Ok, I will then:
Crediting the goalie for wins and saves would be like crediting the fielders on a baseball team for a pitcher's perfect game. Of course the fielders have to do their job - no errors. But the pitcher sets the plate. Never have fielders created a perfect game behind a poor pitcher. It is the same for goalies. The batter and pitcher determine what is field-able in baseball. The system/skaters and shooters determine what is savable in hockey. Dylan Larkin is showing that he is that special "batter" and that play above is a good example.
The Goal
Corey Schneider is a good goalie - some would say one of the top goalies. On this play, he does all he can. He throws that stick down on a nice back flip. Many players, after beating a goalie on that shoulder dip, faux-wrister, would put that finisher toward the middle of the net. If so, Schneider would look amazing - he covered the middle with that stick. Dylan puts it close to the post - no chance for any goalie. He completes what was just a beauty of a move.
So is it really a great save if on that very play Larkin puts it to the middle of the net and gets stopped by Schneider? The goalie is doing only all he can. Larkin is the one that controls the outcome.
Shooters and goal-scorers really need to get more credit. The difference between goals and saves has a lot to do with the shooter's choice. And so i have to say - guys from the top down who continually are able to put it in the net, regardless of the net-minder, prove that Goalies are Overrated.
*Might I add a baseball analogy? Ok, I will then:
Crediting the goalie for wins and saves would be like crediting the fielders on a baseball team for a pitcher's perfect game. Of course the fielders have to do their job - no errors. But the pitcher sets the plate. Never have fielders created a perfect game behind a poor pitcher. It is the same for goalies. The batter and pitcher determine what is field-able in baseball. The system/skaters and shooters determine what is savable in hockey. Dylan Larkin is showing that he is that special "batter" and that play above is a good example.
03 January 2016
Game Review: New York Rangers at Florida Panthers
Just finished watching the full game.
Florida won 3 - 0 despite being outshot 40 - 20.
The shot differential is very misleading. Florida had more zone entries with speed and more productive cycling ending with shots from good areas off of clean passes.
The Rangers' cycling usually ended with low-danger shots with Florida gaining control of the rebound.
The Rangers speed was negated. Florida has some speedy players, especially that Vincent Trocheck C kid.
The Rangers are a one line team right now. Mats Zuccarello RW controls the puck well and keeps his line relevant. But even then, no major chances were created.
Rick Nash LW when not playing with Zuccarello doesn't see the puck much. He still got off a couple of potentially dangerous shots - both going low into Roberto Luongo's leg pads - so overall not dangerous.
The Rangers are not defending the middle of their zone well. Many times the Panthers were able to get space on the boards and make clean plays to the middle.
Once Florida had that three goal lead, there was a clear shift in their push up the ice. Yet they still created a few high-quality chances on outlet passes for two-on-ones and counter-rushes.
Florida has a very solid top two lines and the third line is not easy to play against.
Aleksander Barkov C is a very good player and works well with Jaromir Jagr RW. He's big and has great hands and vision. He knows where to go without the puck. And importantly, he is very tough defensively. And he's 20 years old.
The Rangers did have some chances off of deflections. But as those go, it is hit or miss. One of them Luongo did adjust correctly for, the others either went wide or deflected low and into the pads. Most were in tight and low on the goalie, which is not a high quality deflection.
Brandon Pirri C alone could have scored four goals. He had the puck off clean passes multiple times and shot wide. The lone one on net might also have gone high and wide had he connected with it cleanly. He healed the puck and it went five-hole on Henrik Lundqvist G. Lundqvist reacted to the stick and may have saved it had it been a true strike.
Willie Mitchell D is a solid defenseman.
I love Jaromir Jagr RW. That guy has been through it all. Highs and lows and he just keep playing good hockey. He still has those great hands and the vision. He loves playing this sport and that is just cool for a 43 year old.
Florida is playing well right now. But I think a team like Chicago or the Kings will give them trouble in their zone. Good fore-checking and good hands will make a difference. The Panthers' late play did give the Rangers more space. The boys in blue just couldn't make them pay. Players with hands like Patrick Kane RW will take advantage.
The Rangers are playing without confidence, I guess. They are leaving a lot of holes in transition. They can't move the puck through center ice well. And it seems they are doing a lot of chasing in their own zone. Get back to simple own zone coverage. Keep the play to the outsides and get to the rebounds. Lundqvist is having to guess a lot these days.
The shot count for the Rangers is a little frustrating to me. I'd rather see passes not get through than easy/light shots that are just hoping for a bounce. Create higher scoring chances. Free guys like Derek Stepan C and Chris Kreider LW and Rick Nash LW and Derick Brassard C up for one-timers - just get them space to make plays instead of relying on getting the puck to the net.
The bottom two lines aren't putting in those shifts that make the other team tired.
So, for New York, as solid as they played at the beginning of the season they are playing that loose now. It isn't pretty.
Florida won 3 - 0 despite being outshot 40 - 20.
The shot differential is very misleading. Florida had more zone entries with speed and more productive cycling ending with shots from good areas off of clean passes.
The Rangers' cycling usually ended with low-danger shots with Florida gaining control of the rebound.
The Rangers speed was negated. Florida has some speedy players, especially that Vincent Trocheck C kid.
The Rangers are a one line team right now. Mats Zuccarello RW controls the puck well and keeps his line relevant. But even then, no major chances were created.
Rick Nash LW when not playing with Zuccarello doesn't see the puck much. He still got off a couple of potentially dangerous shots - both going low into Roberto Luongo's leg pads - so overall not dangerous.
The Rangers are not defending the middle of their zone well. Many times the Panthers were able to get space on the boards and make clean plays to the middle.
Once Florida had that three goal lead, there was a clear shift in their push up the ice. Yet they still created a few high-quality chances on outlet passes for two-on-ones and counter-rushes.
Florida has a very solid top two lines and the third line is not easy to play against.
Aleksander Barkov C is a very good player and works well with Jaromir Jagr RW. He's big and has great hands and vision. He knows where to go without the puck. And importantly, he is very tough defensively. And he's 20 years old.
The Rangers did have some chances off of deflections. But as those go, it is hit or miss. One of them Luongo did adjust correctly for, the others either went wide or deflected low and into the pads. Most were in tight and low on the goalie, which is not a high quality deflection.
Brandon Pirri C alone could have scored four goals. He had the puck off clean passes multiple times and shot wide. The lone one on net might also have gone high and wide had he connected with it cleanly. He healed the puck and it went five-hole on Henrik Lundqvist G. Lundqvist reacted to the stick and may have saved it had it been a true strike.
Willie Mitchell D is a solid defenseman.
I love Jaromir Jagr RW. That guy has been through it all. Highs and lows and he just keep playing good hockey. He still has those great hands and the vision. He loves playing this sport and that is just cool for a 43 year old.
Florida is playing well right now. But I think a team like Chicago or the Kings will give them trouble in their zone. Good fore-checking and good hands will make a difference. The Panthers' late play did give the Rangers more space. The boys in blue just couldn't make them pay. Players with hands like Patrick Kane RW will take advantage.
The Rangers are playing without confidence, I guess. They are leaving a lot of holes in transition. They can't move the puck through center ice well. And it seems they are doing a lot of chasing in their own zone. Get back to simple own zone coverage. Keep the play to the outsides and get to the rebounds. Lundqvist is having to guess a lot these days.
The shot count for the Rangers is a little frustrating to me. I'd rather see passes not get through than easy/light shots that are just hoping for a bounce. Create higher scoring chances. Free guys like Derek Stepan C and Chris Kreider LW and Rick Nash LW and Derick Brassard C up for one-timers - just get them space to make plays instead of relying on getting the puck to the net.
The bottom two lines aren't putting in those shifts that make the other team tired.
So, for New York, as solid as they played at the beginning of the season they are playing that loose now. It isn't pretty.
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