Everyone knows that the loss of Gaborik is diastrous and one need only look at the power play to see how bad it really is. In last nights 3-1 loss to the Av's the power(less) play was 0-5 and now for the season is 2-17. In addition the penalty kill is slowly deteriorating as it gave up two PP goals and for the season is 14-20. So all aspects of their game have gone south in only four games and now stand at 1-2-1. Is it getting late early?
There are few moves that the coach can make, what with limited personnel, however, I would leave the second line, Anisimov, Dubinsky and Callahan alone and move them to the top line. Likewise I would reunite Stepan, Fedotenko and Avery and make them the number two line. After that, scratch and claw the other two lines and pray that Lundqvist elevates his game.
Of course the porous defense is another story but unless we go to the trade route we have to live with what we have and hope that the young guys grow into their jobs. It looks like a very long season and it could be longer if it develops that we are the weakest team in the New York area.
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Tortorella postgame remarks:
Georgiev 'proves people wrong,' leads Avs' G2 win
31 minutes ago
Unfortunately those predictions of finishing 14th seems about right now. Long season ahead...
New season, same problems. No scoring threat beyond Gabby, no defense.
Pass me a beer...
I'm beginning to think that nothing matters: GM, coach, players. Just same story about underachievers.
First - I completely agree with your proposals for the first and second lines.
Second - living with the mistakes of a young defense who are growing into their jobs - hey, I'm okay with that. Watching Eminger (will the 'evaluation' never end?) and Rozsival, that's pretty hard on the eyes (and the heart). Sorry, but Rozsival is awful. I keep hearing some Rangers fans talk about how good he is. They very conveniently overlook his gaffes - it's not we are concentrating on him to point out his mistakes, it is that his goofups are often so noticeable they literally jump out of the screen at you. He should be traded, he is soft, clumsy and fumbly. Goofs up under pressure, slow, and slow-thinking.I was able to go out to the kitchen for a beer while he wound up on that shot from the blueline (simply pathetic).
Keep the young guys playing, we have to be patient with the right players, but not with those who have worn it out.
Dan Stryker-Lite or Ale?
Down by the Seaside-So you don't think that the Stealth's personality will carry the day?
blow-me-down-You may get drunk waiting for him to put one in the net.