Tuesday, April 19, 2011

Rangers Notes - 4/19

Will the Washington Caps flip-flopping from an offensively minded team to a defensively focused team end up working? Some thoughts on the Caps' baptism in the "Church of Defensive Hockey" ...


Steven Ovadia / PuckUpdate:
Washington Capitals Need Ovechkin to Find Offense in Transition --
Much has been made of Washington Capitals coach Bruce Boudreau’s sudden conversion into the Church of Defensive Hockey.

When the Capitals struggled during the regular season, Boudreau moved the team into a more defensive system and found consistency and success. And Boudreau hasn’t looked back, maintaining a defensive posture into the playoffs.

So far it’s paid off, as Washington is up two games to one over the New York Rangers. But is Boudreau’s new defensive system sustainable?...

discussion:
Alex Ovetjkin blog:
Lost in transition? --
Now back to Ovi. For the most part Alex looks like a fish out of the water, he is even using oxygen. He does not look like a guy he used to be, a guy who could stay on ice forever. Why is he still a superstar? Because superstars can adjust and this is what Ovi does. He now scores "ugly goals", he is more discipline on line changes because he knows his limitations and this is what great players do, they adjust...
The Suit / Blue Seat Blogs:
Capitals New Defensive System Could Cost Them --
Everyone in the media has been quick to praise Bruce “Mr. Haagan-Dazs” Boudreau lately about his ability to get Ovechkin and company to buy into a more “defensive system.” In case you missed the love fest, color analysts have been pouring over film of recent Capitals games to highlight how ridiculously skilled players like Backstrom and Ovie are no longer trying to outgun opponents, but are instead hanging back and plugging up the neutral zone in 1-2-2 and 2-3 formations...

If you ask me, I’m more than happy to see Alexander Ovechkin, the greatest hockey player in the world, stationed further away from Henrik Lundqvist...
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Torts talk [more coherence and decorum than usual]

ESPN Radio 1050AM / Michael Kay Show
[audio, Monday April 18th, 5:04 pm, 17:33 min]:
Rangers coach John Tortorella joins "The Michael Kay Show" to discuss last Sunday's must-win game, winning a cup this year and Caps coach Bruce Boudreau's comments about MSG.
Torts: The Prust-Boyle-Avery line gave us a huge shift in the first period that got the crowd in the game... they are a really good line for playoff hockey...
via NYR Blog
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Bruce Boudreau quote, regarding MSG, on Washington radio station 105.9:
“Well, the one thing, its reputation is far better than the actual building,” Boudreau said. “I mean, it’s nothing. The locker rooms are horrible. The benches are horrible. There’s no room for anything. But the reputation of being in Madison Square Garden is what makes it famous. Also, our building’s a lot louder, too. So I mean, they can say what they want, but it’s not that loud in there.”
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Thoughts on the Bruce Boudreau Whine Festival...

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Zuccy goes back to the Whale.

NY Rangers:
Zuccarello returned to Connecticut -- Forward had appeared in one playoff game vs. Washington...
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Jaspers' Rink:
The Noon Number --
1.000 - Michal Neuvirth's save percentage through three games of the Eastern Conference Quarterfinals when playing with the lead or trailing...
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ICINGS:

Deal of the Decade? NHL TV deal worth reported $2Billion.

NBC.com:
NHL and NBC Sports Group sign 10-year broadcast deal --
Today, the NHL signed a 10-year pact with NBC Sports Group to carry games on NBC and Versus and a deal that sees new and unprecedented coverage of the NHL Stanley Cup playoffs. Also, expect to see a lot more hockey on your television sets in the next ten years through the 2020-2021 season...
SportsBusinessDaily:
NBC, Versus Ink 10-Year, $2B Deal To Retain NHL TV Rights



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