tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9169155003164451698.post1013259388033406211..comments2023-12-14T09:31:07.139-05:00Comments on Scotty Hockey: R1, G4: Three Down, One To Go!Scotty Hockeyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18440672878311338910noreply@blogger.comBlogger6125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9169155003164451698.post-24963751819222016362009-04-24T13:09:00.000-04:002009-04-24T13:09:00.000-04:00Mantis - Yes there is something physically wrong w...Mantis - Yes there is something physically wrong with Zherdev - he has no heart.<br /><br />I agree with Ben - Nylander has looked lost out there. He is every bit as listless and mediocre as Jagr was the first few months of last season. Apparently they really needed each other ...<br /><br />Michael - I love being proved right ... =op But as for your questions, I don't necessarily think they practiced faceoffs. Being at home let them put their sticks down second and that is a HUGE help. As for Morris, despite how they tried to sell him to us, you could see he was on the downside when he played for Phoenix earlier in the year. He is far, far removed from his days as an impact player.Scotty Hockeyhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/18440672878311338910noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9169155003164451698.post-52307625619822761502009-04-23T21:34:00.000-04:002009-04-23T21:34:00.000-04:00Yep, that was an amazing experience. I was perche...Yep, that was an amazing experience. I was perched on the edge of the couch for 2-1/2 hours -- wish I could've been in MSG for it. About Torts' timeout: it was even better than that. The PK unit had been trapped in our own zone <I>for the full 2m</I> as the Caps ran us ragged and we could only ice the puck -- there was no way that line could have kept going after the faceoff. A very smart call.<br /><br />And yes, Avery shouldn't have been on the ice. But let's not let him off the hook -- he played the last couple shifts with stick flying at head level, and took two colossally stupid penalties. Granted, Torts should've kept him sitting after the first one. But still. I blame Avery first.<br /><br />On Ovechkin: hey, I've been a Ranger fan since 1969 (we had season tix in section 333 for a few glory years) and it doesn't hurt to admit he's a hockey god. That was indeed a stellar shot -- a <I>wrist</I> shot from the top of the faceoff circle, no less. How many guys can score on an unscreened wrist shot from 35 feet out against your standard NHL goalie, let alone Lundqvist (who turned in one of the best playoff performances I've seen in years)? Only gods can do that. I'm just surprised we held him off for 3-2/3 games.<br /><br />Two quick questions -- d'you suppose the Rangers practiced faceoffs on Tuesday? Because we did a very nice job tying up their centers and actually winning a few outright, as oppposed to G3 when I think we lost every single one. Bitter irony that OV's goal came off a faceoff we won <I>in the Caps' zone</I>, but hell, that's hockey. A slippery game.<br /><br />And what do you think of Derek Morris? I'm totally underwhelmed.<br /><br />Oh, btw, I've been reading you since November, when I thought you were way too harsh on the team. OK, so you turned out to be right over the long term. So I kept reading. Long-time reader, second-time commenter.<br /><br />Tomorrow night should be fun. But I think we're in for one more at the Garden, myself.Michael Bérubéhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/12875868040631597999noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9169155003164451698.post-53567812124902657692009-04-23T18:33:00.000-04:002009-04-23T18:33:00.000-04:00Sammael - Nylander does not fit on this team, with...Sammael - Nylander does not fit on this team, with this system. he hasn't fit with any linemates all year. he played with Semin, OV, Fehr, Fleischmann, Kozlov, you name em, he's played with em. <br /><br />NO SUCCESS. <br /><br />when nylander is in the lineup, he's become a defensive liability and seems to not care. for somebody making $5.5 mil, he needs to deliver. he hasn't.Bennoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9169155003164451698.post-22727707657800033382009-04-23T18:31:00.000-04:002009-04-23T18:31:00.000-04:00man, that was a hell of a hockey game!
i though...man, that was a hell of a hockey game! <br /><br />i thought my caps were going to at least tie it when OV scored at the beginning of the 3rd, but Hank was utterly amazing AGAIN. the dude has been ridiculous all series and without him, this series may be 3-1 in favor of DC.<br /><br />Avery acted like a moron last night, but it didn't cost the team. if he doesn't stop soon though, it will eventually bite him in the ass. you're right though, he should not have even been near the ice at that point in the game. he's got a huge target on his back, and anything close to a penalty is going to be called.<br /><br />much props to drury for coming through like he usually does....even if it was a terrible play by Varlamov.<br /><br />i keep arguing with a ranger fan friend of mine who thinks zherdev is getting shafted...but you are right with this one too. he's been nothing short of terrible this series and i can't see him back with the rangers next year.<br /><br />usually i would say this series is over...but every game except the Caps win has been by 1 goal. a couple bounces here and there and this series is much different. hank will still be on top of his game, but we just need to put 2-3 behind him and i think we can win. it's easier said than done though...Bennoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9169155003164451698.post-8844851522937556522009-04-23T13:48:00.000-04:002009-04-23T13:48:00.000-04:00Something about this whole situation I find uncomf...Something about this whole situation I find uncomfortable and I need to vent...<br /><br />Last year's team was phenominal in my eyes, same with the year before... Both years they ran into a burning hot team that just outskated and stole games from them (Pens were too young, Buffalo was hot) but this year's team has been disappointing overall. Great start, awful middle. <br /><br />If this team somehow makes it farther than the last two becuase of riding on Hank's shoulders, I will be totally disenchanted with my gauge of team talent. Something about seeing Zherdev become more successful as a Ranger than Jagr or Shanahan gets under my skin... And I liked Zherdev for the 1st 1/3 or so of the season!!!<br /><br />But I am getting ahead of myself.<br /><br />Anyone else think A.O. looks like a f#$%ing general screaming at his team on the bench? Jesus, let him be the coach!!! Especially when the current one makes decisions like benching Nylander... I'll be thankful for that decision, but I would never have made it.Sammaelhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/06258304546889276748noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9169155003164451698.post-18806187506798390802009-04-23T13:43:00.000-04:002009-04-23T13:43:00.000-04:00We obviously watched the same game -- quite the ex...We obviously watched the same game -- quite the experiece. This one is of time capsule quality.<br /><br />Here's my question/thought I want to share with you (I did not mention it in my post this morning) -- is something physically wrong with Zherdev?<br /><br />In Game 3, he went off the ice in pain and hunched over. He has not been shooting the puck at all, his passes/dump-ins to the offensive zone are incredibly weak. It makes me wonder if something is wrong with his wrist and his purpose on the ice is to be a decoy.<br /><br />The alternative is worse -- his play has truly fallen apart. I'm sure you heard the boos last night when he was on the ice. Defensemen got yelled at but there were no boos for other Ranger players. Just makes me wonder.Graying Mantishttps://www.blogger.com/profile/15786488599630118988noreply@blogger.com