Game Thread: Rangers vs Pens

[element1286]

Erhoff is shit...has been all year. He can't score either...and the Pens can possess all they want...they still need to score

Ehrhoff makes a good first pass, which is pretty damn critical.

First step to scoring is possessing the puck.

 

[Cyder]

Ehrhoff will help for sure, considering they have been playing with 5 for a while. Adding Ehrhoff who has a decent offensive skill set, and can play significant minutes, will be a huge help.

Rags aren't invincible. They are a bottom 10 possession team, while the Pengiuns are a top 5. For the Pens to win Fleury has to be great, they need to be good on transition defense, and win the PP/PK battle, not impossible by any means.

The Rangers don't win faceoffs which is why they never have possession. Didn't hurt them too much during the year but in a series like this a smart coach exploit this.

 

[element1286]

The Rangers don't win faceoffs which is why they never have possession. Didn't hurt them too much during the year but in a series like this a smart coach exploit this.

Being bad at faceoffs won't put a team in the bottom 10 for possession stats. There isn't a huge correlation between the two.

 

[Cyder]

Being bad at faceoffs won't put a team in the bottom 10 for possession stats. There isn't a huge correlation between the two.

Are you seriously saying losing a faceoff, which results in the opponent having possession of the puck, doesn't affect possession time? That makes no sense.

 

[scoutyjones2]

Neither is winning/scoring while being a top puck possession team.

 

[Burghfan]

Hey DS, after re-reading what I wrote, I see where it probably sounded a bit snarky...my bad. That really wasn't my intent. My intent was to convey my disgust at the forward play.

Guys like Kunitz, Comeau, Perron, Winnink, Dowine, etc should all be crashing the net at every opportunity. I just don't see it. It's nice to hear it's been a focus at practice this week, since I think they have little chance of beating the Rags as it is. They don't drive and crash the net at every chance and make Lunqvist as uncomfortable as possible in the crease, then they stand virtually no chance!

Like ya said...we'll see.

I think Downie's problem is every time he gets in front of the net he ends up with stick in his ear and then he gets called for goalie interference.

 

[Darkstone42]

Good, good. Now the opponents are up and can blow a lead.

 

[Darkstone42]

I demand more Hornqvists in our lineup.

 

[element1286]

Are you seriously saying losing a faceoff, which results in the opponent having possession of the puck, doesn't affect possession time? That makes no sense.

Not enough to make a huge difference in the possession stats, it makes a small difference.

 

[element1286]

Neither is winning/scoring while being a top puck possession team.

We get it scouty they can't score, no is disputing that. Care to belabor the point anymore?

 

[element1286]

Well the Pens tried at least, no problem with the intensity. A little over zealous at times with the penalties, a few lame calls/no calls as well.

 

[element1286]

Huge goal from the 4th line.

 

[Darkstone42]

The Pens have some life, now. And they're getting to the net, which is good.

 

[element1286]

Well they are like 0-30 when down entering the third, good time for the first win I suppose.

 

[element1286]

Refs are a joke, everything was a penalty in the first, now nothing is.

 

[element1286]

Well the ref show in the third notwithstanding, Pens made their bed with a disastrous first period. You can hook, hold, and interfere all night, don't make it easy on the dunce refs by slashing and roughing.

 

[Darkstone42]

Well the ref show in the third notwithstanding, Pens made their bed with a disastrous first period. You can hook, hold, and interfere all night, don't make it easy on the dunce refs by slashing and roughing.

Yeah, but they got called for a "rough" and an "interference" that weren't as well. Downie's was inexcusable, though.

The defense needs to do a better job of advancing the puck, though. I think that's what really killed them. They couldn't get any speed coming into the offensive end. They had to stop up too much and couldn't win the puck races because they were starting from standstill.

 

[element1286]

I'm sure they could improve on the breakout, but considering who they are missing, a small improvement at best. Surprisingly, Lovejoy has been pretty bad on the breakout, thought he'd be better than he is. Cole and Martin are the only two I trust, Chorney looks ok.

 

[scoutyjones2]

Valiant effort

 

[scoutyjones2]

We get it scouty they can't score, no is disputing that. Care to belabor the point anymore?

Well, I would if people don't make excuses for a top puck possession team and defensive team...it's the lack of scoring