For the third time in these playoffs the Rangers have played and lost an OT game, this one to the Bruins 3-2. Also, the Rangers lost the special teams battle, again, going 0-3 on the power play while the Bruins were 1-4. The one being Torey Krug's which tied the game at two in the third period. The Rangers are now 2-31 on the PP in this tournament as the regular season's woes continue into the playoffs. In fact, the PP woes have been consistent through coach disagreeables tenure.
After a slow first period the teams picked it up, but as the game got longer the Bruins got stronger. They outshot the Rangers 93-66. 48 shots were on goal and the Rangers managed 35 on goal. In the OT the Bruins got 16 shots on goal to a tiring Ranger team with only 5 shots. To say that the Bruins wore down the Rangers is an understatement. McDonagh and Stepan scored for the Rangers and Chara and Brad Marchand scored the other two for the Bruins with Marchand the winner in OT. Both Girardi and McDonagh logged over thirty minutes of ice time as did Zdeno Chara who seems to be a special beast.
After the first period the game turned into a war with the hit total almost reaching 100. The Bruins out hit the Rangers 51-44. It took a toll on the Rangers in OT. Lundqvist was his usual self again making 45 saves. Sure, make a comment if you will about him actually knocking in Chara's goal which gave the Bruins a 1-0 lead. But pucks were flying all around him and he got very little support. The Rangers have to force the action and not drop back into a defensive shell. If they continue to think they can form a defensive shield around Lundqvist, by blocking shots, they will lose this series in five games. They have to be more forceful and decisive on offense.
The 'so called big guys' have to wake up. It's great how the third and fourth lines are playing. Where is Nash? Where is Richards? Is Callahan tiring? Does the coach have a plan? Outside of berating and growling at reporters does he have any idea of how the power play is supposed to work? Thanks to Lundqvist we will probably make this another seven game series, but like game seven against the Caps, Lundqvist needs help. He can't do it alone. He can't score goals.
Friday, May 17, 2013
OT Blues (Shirts)
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Chara did not miss a game during the regular season. He was on the ice for 19:43 during the first 2 periods. His total ice time was 38:02 for the game, which was 62:44. So he was on the ice 61% of the game and that was bumped up to 67% on ice during the OT.
Bottomline: the Rangers did not score when he was on the ice.
So, for the Rangers to win, they will need their 3-4 lines to score, when Chara is presumably on bench.
Disappointing start. I really felt good about the game yesterday but of course it can't surprise anyone. Losing game 1 has become as expected under Tortorella as blocking shots. It's insane. Rangers never take game 1. People are talking about how its no big deal since they lost both games one and two in the first round but still managed to win the series. That's not finding a silver lining that's excusing a shortcoming and make no mistake, it is a big deal. In order to win a team must pay attention to the details. The little things matter. Having strong starts to a series matters. Setting a tone early and trying to make a long series a short one rather than having to push game 7 matters. Home ice advantage matters. The power play matters. Strong starts to individual games matter. Playing 60 minutes matters. Going for the win in OT during the regular season rather than safely getting to a shootout matters. It matters because all of those habits we developed during the season and during this coaches tenure are what we bring into the playoffs for better or worse. I also see people complaining about Henrik as Pundit pointed out. They can't be serious. Do these fools actually expect shutouts for the rest of the playoffs because that is what they're asking of him. That really burns me up. Even if he makes a mistake he still makes up for it in spades. If it were not for some of his heroics (and a few goal posts) that game ends long before OT. That game ends on that crazy PP Boston had in OT. What happened to the crap PP of theirs we are hearing so much about? Looked pretty good to me unless I am so accustom to the Rangers pathetic PP that any PP that generates some shots looks amazing! I'll admit that could be the case. Lets hope they tie up the series because coming back from a 2-0 deficit and playing from behind is not the path to winning.
On a side note, I may have mentioned that when Adam Oates played he was one of my favorite players on and off the ice, but I never expected my liking of him to grow into love so quickly once he became Washington's coach. Now I officially love him and here's why- This was in The Daily News yesterday:
One day after John Tortorella blamed the Caps’ persistent whining for their series loss, his Washington coaching counterpart, Adam Oates, escalated the war of words.
“Well I think he’s out of line,” Oates said on the “Lavar and Dukes Show” on Washington’s 106.7 The Fan.
“(Tortorella) should be worried about his own series. We didn’t whine once during the series. I never complained. I don’t know, did you guys ever hear me complain about officiating?”
Later in the interview, Lavar Arrington asked Oates:
“Coach, I just want to know. . . would you beat him up in a one-on-one situation?”
“Yes,” Oates responded. “Easily.”
EASILY!!!! I LOVE IT! I would pay money to see it Adam! I'm rooting for you and if you need any help, give me a call. I'm dying to get a good shot in on that jerk!!!!
Jen,
The fact that Tortorella took a parting shot at Washington is a big tell that he hears and reads everything said or written about the NY Rangers.
Specifically, Tortorella said Wednesday afternoon at the Rangers’ Greenburgh practice facility. “We’ve got everybody and their brother whining up there in Washington about what happened in that series, and I think that’s a big reason why they lose that series. So I just think our mindset is very good, as far as not letting anything bothers us, just getting ready to play each day: Play the game, practice the next day and just go about our business.”
He probably read Ovechkin's comments among other things.
From Pat Lenonard: Capitals captain Alex Ovechkin told a Russian reporter he believed there had been an NHL conspiracy to force the decisive game. The Rangers had 28 power plays to just 16 for the Capitals in the series, though that was due largely to the Blueshirts’ discipline.
“Not saying there was a phone call, but they wanted Game 7,” Ovechkin said in Russian, translated and tweeted by Slava Malamud, a senior writer for Russian sports daily Sports-Express. “For ratings. You know, lockout, escrow, league must make profit.”
Tortorella’s point even more to comments such as those made by Jason Chimera, hours before Game 7, in which the Capitals forward was still taking pot shots at officials for a 5-0 disparity in penalties favoring the Rangers in their 1-0 Game 6 win at the Garden.
And Tortorella's shot in turn prompted Oates to weigh-in.
However, all this just goes to show that for all Tortorella's pretending that he doesn't care about the media, etc. He really does pay very close attention to what is being said. I bet he reads all the blogs too.
Ah yes A- hole comes out with yet another brilliant remark after practice today. The guy really knows how to strengthen a guys confidence and build his mental game no?
Andrew Gross writes;
The highlight of John Tortorella’s press conference came when he was asked why top-line left wing Carl Hagelin was not used on the power play. Remember, Tortorella is completely enamored with Hagelin’s game and speed.
“Because he stinks on the power play,” Tortorella said. “I don’t know why. I wish I could play him on the power play. Every time I put him on, he stinks. I think he’s too quick. I think he’s a jitterbug and he screws it up. But, again, I may use him. I don’t know. I love him. I’m not trying to be a smart (aleck) but he stinks on the power play every time I put him on.”
The natural follow-up, given that the Rangers’ power play is awful is what does Tortorella have to lose by using Hagelin. The power play is 2 for 31 in the postseason.
“But the power play stinks, it’s true and that’s why he may get an opportunity,” Tortorella said.
“I’ve asked him why he stinks on the power play,” Tortorella added.
And the response?
“Not too much,” Tortorella said. “He’s a good player and he’s a really important player for us but it just has not worked out there. But he may get an opportunity if we keep going here.”
-It's truly mind boggling how dumb this guy is. He asked him why he stinks??? Really? You're the coach moron how about teaching him something instead, oh that's right you know NOTHING about offense therefore you have nothing to add. How about saying Hags you're an incredible talent and I love your game but I'd like to see you contribute more on the pp, here's what we'd like you to do. Nope. Anyway guess what moron, everyone stinks on the pp. plus he's too jitterbug? You know what that translates to? You take too many risks that could lead to a turnover and that scares the hell out of me because I'm a total chicken shit loser so stay on the bench.
I hate him.
Tortorella....Tortorella....Tortorella.....
Boy this guy is losing his room QUICK. Keep using the media to tell your own players to "shut up" and "you stink" or "he screws it up" and see how it works johnny boy. He seems to think that he is the end all be all for the rangers which he is not. All it takes is continued pressure from us (like JB said, he DOES pay attention to the media, that's how big of a loser he is) and one phone call to mr sather from mac d or hags or any other key player and this guy is toast.
The really sad part is that the only reason he says stuff like this is to take the attention off of how bad of a coach he is and how poorly his team plays because of it. He just creates stuff in his head that he knows will be controversial to deflect the attention off of his many, many, many faults as a head coach. Tortorella........
Jen,
That Adam Oates interview/quotes are classic. It's funny how easily other coaches see right through this clown and push his buttons immediately. And, to be sure, Oates would rag doll torts! Torts is only tough when he's being held back by Aaron Voros and there is glass separating him and the combatant. And he likes to use hockey sticks as weapons also. That's how tough he is.
That would be one bout i'd pay top dollar for to watch at MSG. "Down goes tortorella......!!
Keep it up coach clueless, keep it up. The quicker you're gone the quicker we can progress
Here is a link to a great article Kevin Weekes wrote today. I think he sums up beautifully what we all have been saying here on this blog for the last few years.
http://www.nhl.com/ice/blogpost.htm?id=17743&navid=DL%7CNHL%7Chome