Rangers Can't Bottle Caps, Lose 4-2
Wednesday, November 18, 2009
It seems like we’ve been here before, haven’t we? The New York Rangers dropped to 11-9-1 with a 4-2 defeat at the hands of the Washington Capitals last night at MSG. I’m not going to go over the game in much detail, but there is one thing that bothers me about this contest. I can accept losing the right way. What I can’t accept, at all, is losing the wrong way.
Last night’s game came down to a terrible pinch-in with just under 5 minutes to go in the 3rd period during a 2-2- tie. The bad pinch was created by defenseman Wade Redden and what ensued was the go-ahead goal by the once bloodied Matt Bradley, of all people. Sorry, but this was a dumb decision by Wade Redden. You have to play it safe in a situation like that. There’s no excuse.
Another thing that I was kind of shocked about was that Matt Bradley actually outskated Matt Gilroy down the ice to roof it over Lundqvist’s shoulder. In my opinion, this game should have went to OT and possibly another shoot-out. Unfortunately for the Rangers and their fans- valuable points were denied. Now the Rangers find themselves struggling to stay afloat at the .500 mark. The other teams in the Eastern Conference continue to win on a regular basis and with games in hand over the Rangers, things are getting tight. To beat a dead horse, the players need to take it upon themselves and be responsible for their own play. It can’t be just Gaborik night after night (which it has been for a while now). I still believe the talent is there, the question is will the talent live up to the expectations? Let’s hope so. Over and out!
*Just a side note, I will be away this weekend to do the color commentary on the radio for the Quinnipiac Bobcats Men’s Hockey Team (who are now ranked 13th in the country). They are playing 2 road games at Colgate and Cornell with the man himself, Bill Schweizer calling the play. Feel free to check them out!
Link: http://www.quinnipiac.edu/x981.xml
11 comments:
This was a very depressing game to watch. They started out so well then fizzled out for a long stretch. When Gabby tied it up, I thought for sure we'd be getting a point that night...
Matt Bradley. Beating Lundqvist again top shelf (I'm almost positive he did the same crap last year in Game 5). But yeah, albatross defenseman at it again... only this time it was the higher paid one.
We don't win when our goalie cannot cover a puck at his feet and doesn't stop a puck off the rush when the opponent has a dman, even if he had a step on him, covering him. The glove hand of Hank is weaker than anytime before. That is a hand eye coordination issue. It can be attributed to lack of rest. Or possibly from an injury. But most likely because he isn't as good as he is made out to be. And if I was a betting man, I would put my money on the fact that Torts feels like I do. But the coach cant cave on his goalie every single week.
Oh ..Lets Go Rangers!!!
Wrath, I think most Ranger fan's feel the same as you. Can't blame them. The Rangers obviously need an attitude adjustment and fast.
As for Redden's pinch in late in the game. Just a terrible decision period.
JohnM, Lundqvist does have weakness and that is high on the glove hand/shoulder. I think teams have picked up on this over the past 2 seasons. I wouldn't want to speculate, but you may be right.
hey chris,
its painful,and we've been here so many times its just not even funny.... i think a lots happened to them since the first 2 weeks of the season, other teams found out that they can run at henry all day(and our captain) and there's no consequences(except from the league it self),avery's been hand cuffed for what ever reason, and the obvious loss too injuries....and that del zotto and gilroy (altho outstanding in there rookie years) aren't the second coming of orr and leetch!redden made a bad play last game, and even if he gets sent down and replaced, who will then become the scapegoat? matt bradley is a better skater than he is a fighter for sure because i think gilroy can skate his ass off..........and if gaborick doesn't score, no one does! theres got to be some moves,and changes(i don't know what they are lol) but how long do you wait, they went from 7-1 to just barely over 500
ps that quinnipiac looks like a beautiful campus,and a great job!
greg m, There's really not much to say I think you have hit it out of the park.
The team needs to work this out together because at this moment what choice do they have?
Quinnipiac is a very nice university and their Hockey Team is on a roll.
The Lack of shots everyone is referring to as secondary scoring ( what the heck is secondary scoring anyway??)comes from a dump in style that requires the Rangers to start their offense from BEHIND the goal line. Last time I checked, you cannot score from behind the goal. The goals have to come off the rush. Passing is crucial. Until that is addressed, look forward to the same mundane play from this team.
JohnM, You know John you're absolutely right about the "Secondary Scoring" line. It's just another way trying to make yourself more of a intellectual using that line in the world of Hockey..
Scoring, Team Toughness and Physical Play are the main culprits of this slump as the Hockey world like to say. Sound familiar?
Hiya Chris..well this Rangers team has excceeded my expectations..on D if we can get rid of those 2 contracts..Redden and Roszival..R&R need to do just that...for the money they are not worth it, though Redden is vastly improved over last year...I say bring in Sanguenetti or Potter and get a mean D-man and we'll have a great blueline for years to come...Staal needs to be with Gilroy and Girardi with Del Zotto..my humble opinion there..we look great in goal with a winner in the wings in Johnson..what was Pitt thinking?? now the forwards...oye..we have a third line that plays top 6..got me as how Brashear was an improvement over Orr..I prefer Orr..a mistake in letting Betts go...now Parenteau looks decent to me...Rumor has it we may see a call up from Haetford...Dale Wiese..how did you think Byers preformed Chris? I liked him...Voros has improved...that leaves us with..what I think is the two biggest needs on the Rangers, a number 1 center and a power forward who can score...Vinny Lecavalier..possibility there? and a Dustin brown or Ryan Getzlaf..oye..would make a good team
Leatherneck, Unfotumately it's going to be tough to get lose those big tickets...R and R boys LOL.
Pemnalty killing is not the problem. Beyers played decent. I'm on the road with the Quinnipiac Bobcats right now so I sorry if I cut this short. Nice to hear from you.
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