You’re Darn Tyutin…
Came up with that one myself, thought it was clever. Anyways, this Florida road trip was not a good one for the boys in blue. By not picking up a single point in these two games, the Rangers are just four points from being out of the playoffs. How quickly things can change. Is this time to panic? Absolutely not. Since those two bad losses to L.A. and Anaheim early in February, this team has been excellent. But, these two games in Florida and Tampa Bay are discouraging. However, as some bubble teams in the NCAA found out tonight, it’s all about how you finish. The Rangers final ten games are difficult to say the least. But, they are all against division rivals. So, even though this team is four points from being out of the playoffs, they are six points from having home ice IN the playoffs. Which way will the pendulum swing? Guess we’re going to have to watch and find out.
Before our next show, I’d like some comments and/or e-mails about the following topics so Steve and I have an idea of how other fans are feeling right now…
1) How do you feel the deadline acquisitions have played thus far?
2) Are there players being scratched or down in Hartford that you would like to see in the lineup?
3) With these two losses, should the team make line changes and/or switch some defensive pairings?
4) This teams 21st in the league on the PP. What do they need to do to fix it?
5) Is Henrik back? How long can we expect him to stay hot?
It’s not homework. Just food for thought. We will share your thoughts in the next show and also our own.
One other thing, Brendan S. sent us this link with some really interesting stats regarding the playoff picture. Check it out.
http://www.sportsclubstats.com/NHL/Eastern/Atlantic/Rangers.html
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Tags: Eric Rothman, Lundqvist, Tyutin
4 Responses
michael March 17th at 12:17 pm
I can say that I thought this monday would be a lot different considering the rangers position and playoff hopes. Their are a few different things besides the power play that has me worried about this team. Lets start with the power play. I think we need to honestly find a new name for the “power play”. It has been everything but powerful or advantageous for us throughout the season. Fortunately , I think it can be fixed, well at least somewhat. First, Scott Gomez needs to be on the ice for most if not the full two minutes. He’s the best play maker on the team by far. However, Brenden Shannahan, who I think is great for this team in many ways, but handling the puck and passing are not his best attributes. He needs to be no where else but in the slot setting up for one timers, that’s it! Tyutin, who I do think is an important piece to the puzzle, should not be on the power play. On the other hand, Dan Giardi should. He’s got a great shot and actually uses it. Put players out there that are going to shoot. One last thing that has me worried is Brandon Dubinsky. I don’t know if you guys have noticed but his game has changed from being that hard nosed player who gets the puck, looks for a good pass, if not takes the shot. He no longer shoots, he defers to jags to much and is now looking for that pretty pass all the time, like the others. Don’t get me wrong he has exceeded all of my expectations but I just see adjustments in his game that are not for the better of his game or the team. What do you guys think?
Richard S. March 18th at 3:15 am
Michael, I see your point on Dubi, but I think that he is just not sneaking up on anyone anymore. People know he is there and know what he can do now so there is no more suprise burst of speed, or strength. But you could be right.
Steve March 18th at 12:15 pm
To your points:
1) I think Sjoshtrom has played pretty well. He adds speed to the 4th line and makes them somewhat of a threat. Backstrom has been awful. I never thought I’d miss Mara!
2) I’d like to see Prucha back in there, replacing Orr. While Orr has played better than expected, I think if you can get some offense out of the 4th line, plus have Prucha on the PP, that would be helpful. Orr could be worth putting back in for Philly and NYI, but the rest of the games he’s not needed.
3) I wouldn’t panic with the forwards, except for Prucha as mentioned above. On D Malik coming back will help a lot. Rozy just plays better when he’s back there. Staals inexperience and Rozy’s shortcomings magnify when they play together. And Mara will help the PP and the third pair, as addition by subtraction (getting Backstrom out of there)
4) At this point I think the PP is about what it’s going to be. Unless you can talk Jagr, Rozy and a few others into shooting instead of looking for the perfect play, there’s not much you can do. Prucha would help somewhat. Maybe more time for the kids on the PP too.
5) I think Henrik is back. It’s not been one or two games now but 4 or 5 where he looks like the King again.
Steve March 18th at 12:20 pm
Oh, I’d also like to add (and Micheletti alluded to it during the broadcast) that someone has to tell Renney that when you are trailing by a goal or two in the 3rd period it is time to SHORTEN THE LINES!! There should be no way that the Betts line should be seeing ANY action in the last 15 minutes of the 3rd period. If you insist on playing them, at least double shift Jags or Shanny or one of the more offensive minded forwards instead of Orr. It’s probably the one thing about Renney that drives me the most crazy, his love affair with the 4th line. By the 3rd period those guys are NOT going to change the game with a good hitting shift. You need people who can put the puck in the net.