are the rangers for real?

[nj_cup]

Can it be after what 17 years are the rangers really the best team in the east (standing wise)

You have to admit though without sid ( I think he's done for the year) ovechkin not the same pronger out the east goes through Boston. Or can you say ny?

 

[MadCaptain]

It goes through Boston without question

Best offense in the league, best defense in the league, 2nd best PK in the league

 

[TheRobotDevil]

To early to say imo

 

[irishwhip03]

Lundqvist is by far the best goalie in the league..he is a brick wall. And Richards was a good signing for them (bout time they got one right).

BUT Gaborik is injury prone. If he plays anywhere near 82 games this season I'll be shocked. Their D is good but veryyy young and inexpierenced. And IMO Boston , Philly and Pitt (even w/o Crosby) are all better teams with more postseason grit.

Rags could win the division , I wouldnt bet on it , but come out of the East? I dont think so.

 

[CalamityX11]

I still say through Boston although the Rangers are probably going to meet up with them in the ECFs....

 

[rp2five]

They have a good team, but like Irish said, most of their success is because of Henrik. They have a good defense, and ironically, they play a pretty boring defensive scheme similar to the Devils of the 90s. When shots do get through, or when the defense falls apart, Henrik is there to make the save. Often, he stands on his head. Its a frustrating team to play against.

Offensively, they got guys like Richards and Gaborik who somehow has stayed healthy. Other than that, they don't really have the best offense, but they do enough to win games.

 

[rp2five]

By the way...Ranger fans are all thrilled with Richards. Funny, he has basically the same cap hit as Kovy. Both have contracts that can take them to their early 40s. So far this season, he played more games, but Kovy has more points. They all love him, and half our fans hate Kovy. Seems our fans rather root for a role player or defensive specialist over a guy who has crazy skill like Kovy.

 

[irishwhip03]

One thing Richards has that Kovy doesnt is leadership..the skills are obviously in Kovy's favor but Richards has the expierence and leadership. Cant put a price on that for me.

 

[nj_cup]

Experience yes leadership I don't know about that. That is a great point rp I didnt even realize that he had better stats then Richards and only 6pts less then Gaborik and that huge contract. Guy has 27pts in 30 games pace for 70+ pts. No one is factoring his shootout goals how many does he have 5? I'm guessing can anyone find that out please.

Your right fans here have a warped sense. If you can criticize him for is low production then how can you justify giving Parise a max contract?

 

[rp2five]

Maybe he doesn't have the cup Richards won, but I think he has his own leadership qualities. Last game, he totally put the blame on himself. That pass might have been ill advised, but it was also tipped. When was the last time another player told the media I put the entire blame for losing this game on myself? I am not going to start naming names, because I don't want this thread to go there, but to me, thats a leader.
And Cup is right, Kovy won a lot of games for us in the shootout. He has lately been more money than Parise. But I never once heard Kovy said hey guys I won the game tonight.

Cup, check out this link.
2011-2012 - Regular Season - All Skaters - Shooters - Total Goals - NHL.com - Stats
Look who is on top.
5 Game deciding goals. Now, what place would we be in had it not been for Kovy and the shootout?

 

[nj_cup]

Wow that is pretty crazy 5pts he has stole for us. Now im sure people are going to bring up his turn overs as games he cost us but I guess he is the only guy on the ice when it gets turned.over?

Also as bad as the pp has been 17ppg I think? He has 9 points on the pp just over half our output. How would that pp look without him.

Not totally defending the guy but like rp stated ranger fans are more then thrilled with Gaborik and Richards production. Would we be singing a different tune if we were 2nd in the conference? Or do you guys want another madden and Pando out there roaming around for 20mins a night?

 

[CalamityX11]

Go Kovy!

 

[irishwhip03]

I love Kovy and Id take him over Richards any day of the week no matter what the price tags were. But he is a major factor in us giving up those 11 shorthanders this season. And his production on the PP doesnt equal what he has given up to me. At the end of this season he might have 15 PP goals but chances are we'll have given up 20 shorties.

Thats not really a good balance.

 

[nj_cup]

I remember watching the canes game and they showed a highlight of the last canes game when elias fell down at the point and it went for a Shorty. And the Ottawa game they pulled their goalie and got one in the final seconds. So thats two that come directly to mind that he had zero to do with. I'm sure there are others. Still 9pp out of 17 goals on it?

 

[CalamityX11]

I'd take Kovy over a lot of guys today except Ovi really....

 

[TheRobotDevil]

 

[devilsfan88]