tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9169155003164451698.post9009429421209820035..comments2024-03-28T00:55:52.902-04:00Comments on Scotty Hockey: What Has To Happen: Game 2Scotty Hockeyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18440672878311338910noreply@blogger.comBlogger5125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9169155003164451698.post-58585584441688135332011-04-15T13:24:33.286-04:002011-04-15T13:24:33.286-04:00Without Callahan the Rangers have no forecheck. He...Without Callahan the Rangers have no forecheck. He is the only one who goes in hard and finishes his check first, then goes after the puck. Watching Gaborik rush in only to hold up a foot away from the defensemen is embarassing.<br /><br />I like how the stats paint the Rangers as one of the best checking teams in the NHL because I see them as one of the worst. What is the definition of a check anyway? If you go to check someone and bounce off them all Prucha-esque, does that count?<br /><br />Yes, Scotty, feel free to steal my term Prucha-esque. :)Dennisnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9169155003164451698.post-89007267206198967042011-04-15T11:02:28.960-04:002011-04-15T11:02:28.960-04:00Mike L - major props for knowing Ching. And I didn...Mike L - major props for knowing Ching. And I didn't mention Schultz for the very reason that you pointed out: the guy is solid.Scotty Hockeyhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/18440672878311338910noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9169155003164451698.post-56369582313830106292011-04-15T11:00:40.840-04:002011-04-15T11:00:40.840-04:00Haha, I knew I would tweak a few Caps fans with th...Haha, I knew I would tweak a few Caps fans with the Carlson/Alzner line. They are just like McD and Sauer - kids who haven't played like kids. But, just as the Ranger kids have had one or two rare moments this season where they reminded us of their age, the Rangers can force Carlson and Alzner to do the same in this series. Or at least I hope so ...Scotty Hockeyhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/18440672878311338910noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9169155003164451698.post-2813390399514061192011-04-15T11:00:39.563-04:002011-04-15T11:00:39.563-04:00Have to agree with the first commenter about the d...Have to agree with the first commenter about the defense assessment. Yes Alzner and Carlson's combined age is less than mine (by 5 YEARS...augh!) but they are kids in name only. Alzner plays like a defensive veteran, rarely making a mistake, and how many other young defensive defensemen play 82 games and take only 12 penalties the entire season? Carlson has terrific shot, good instincts, and he has the potential to be as big a star as Green, maybe bigger.<br /><br />Green is an All-star and a 2-time Norris runner up. Sure a lot of that's for offense, but his defense is still above average. If there was a defensive defenseman award (Ching Johnson award, named after the Ranger great from the 1930s?) Green wouldn't ever win it.<br /><br />You didn't mention Jeff Schultz, who is probably one of the smartest defensemen out there. Everyone watches him and says, "Oh he skates so bad, but he's lucky he's always in the right place at the right time" Well he knows he isn't the best skater, so he is watching video all the time to know where the right place is at the right time. He's one of the smartest players out there. Hannan makes mistakes, but so does every player. He's usually making the safe play though and is a silent contributor. Most nights, I barely notice him because he skates through his 18-21 minutes and just does his job.<br /><br />Ok, Erskine is a Neandertal...Mike L-Capsnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9169155003164451698.post-46133374978776705022011-04-15T10:18:04.538-04:002011-04-15T10:18:04.538-04:00As a Caps fan, but overall hockey fan, I have to s...As a Caps fan, but overall hockey fan, I have to say I disagree with your assessment of the Capitals blueline. Yes Carlson and Alzner are just kids, but to push them aside simply because of their age doesn't do justice to the work they have done this season. Consistently playing against top-lines, shutting down potent forwards, and rarely getting scored against aren't the work of kids. And while you say Hannan makes mistakes, got to say I haven't seen many this season. The guy is a shot-blocking, body-taking (not puck), stud. Green may have been labeled in the past as an offensive defenseman that doesn't handle his own end properly, but this season has seen a change in that attitude. His offensive numbers are down but the guy has become a SOLID d-man, making intelligent decisions and rarely getting caught below the circles. <br /><br />While I disagree with your assessment, I can't knock your perspective (we all wear the home-town glasses and see what we like to see). <br /><br />Cheers!Anonymousnoreply@blogger.com