The highlight of the evening for us was watching my grandson Nicholas and his friend Matthew riding the Zamboni's between the first and second periods. The game was a lowlight from beginning to end.
Powerless. The PP was 0-5 last night and the five on five was equally atrocious. The PK bent a little giving up one goal, 1-6, but kind of made up for it by scoring a shorthanded goal by Rozsival who leads the team with seven goals scored. Do you believe that? Michal Rozsival leads the team in goals scored and may be the only Ranger to crack 25 goals this year. Jagr and Drury again were pointless and almost shotless again. They each got one shot on goal and Jagr didn't get his until late in the game.
The Rangers had one last shot, drawing a penalty with 1:24 left in the game. I told my son Chris that coach clueless should put in the six defensemen with Girardi and Mara at the points, Staal, Tyutin and Strudwick up front and Rozsival in the slot off the faceoff circle. Coach clueless rounded up the usual suspects and they made a lot of noise in front of the net but that was it. After the game the philosopher belched out about responsibility, caring, dedication and I think Thursday is Thanksgiving. Blah, blah, blah.
You have to remember that when we play the Islanders it's basically Ted Nolan against coach clueless. I figure that gives the Isles a two goal lead to start the game. We have lost three games to the Islanders this year, all by one goal. We have scored all of four goals, an average of 1.33 goals/game against a team that gives up 2.65 goals/game. In fact if you remove the Rangers from the equation the Islanders have given up almost 3 goals per game, 2.93.
Ah, but we are still in first place. Really! The Islanders are three points behind the Rangers and have four games in hand. Who the hell makes up these unbalanced schedules? But it's too early to worry about first place with three quarters of the season still to play. Lets worry about a moribund power play and a clueless coach that does not know how to fix it. There are enough worries there to last the rest of the year. The power play ranks 22nd and is falling despite having the second most opportunities in the league. Where will it end? Round up the usual suspects.
Tuesday, November 20, 2007
Powerless
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We move the puck around on the power play so slowly that the opponent crowds us and we can't get shots off. This is a coaching problem: the puck should move faster than the skater. Fast puck movement opens up lanes. Coaching!!
Dear Coach Renney,
First, your team had only 19 shots on goal against the Isles. 8 of those were by defense. When you are down by a goal in the last period, perhaps you need to change from defense first to shoot first and crash the net for rebounds?
Second, you should be ashamed, with four minutes left, of sending only one forchecker into the Islander zone when they do their breakout. Do you really think that losing 3-1 is so horrible? Why not try to tie a game? You do not get points for being close like in horseshoes.
Your team is playing defense first. That is not bad. But, only a fool uses the same strategy in all circumstances.
It hurt me to watch the last game. I do not blame the players. They are a reflection of the coach. If you gave Nolan the Rangers they would give up 10 more goals, and score 30 more.
One last idea.
How about a power play of all defensemen? They can pass AND shoot!!
down by the seaside-Fast puck movement and shooting. Shooting!
section335-Bingo! Mail it to him!
section 335-You read my article. I agree>