The New York Rangers (31-23-8) lost to the Toronto Maple Leafs (23-26-12) by the score of 2-1 in a shootout, tonight. For a recap and box score go to Yahoo! Sports.
...while I loved the forecheck as well as the defensemen stepping up at the Maple Leafs blueline and taking more offensive chances, does it really matter if we're still only going to score one goal. We can't even score in the shootout any more.
...Tortorella mentioned after the game that he felt the players lacked confidence in goal scoring and can see them squeezing their sticks on offensive opportunities. Not sure how you cure that. Maybe he can tell Lundqvist and Valiquette to let some shots in during practice.
...having said that, i do think the goals will come if the Rangers continue to play this pressure style. One thing to worry about, which Tortorella eluded to in his post game press conference, is the team not being in good enough shape to play that type of hockey every game. It looked like a lot players were gassed in the third period.
...by far Redden's best game as a Ranger. It was nice to see him get involved so often on offense. If he keeps this up, I think it's fair to ask if Renney's conservative coaching style had anything to do with Redden's poor play.
...overall, I liked what I saw from the Rangers and from Tortorella and I do see some light at the end of the tunnel for this team.
...right back at it tomorrow night at MSG against the Panthers with a big four point swing on the line.
1 comment:
This looked like the the ranger team of the 1st 15 games....aggressive forecheck, lots of energy, creating turnovers, going to the net....The powerplay was much better, lots of movement, and shots.
The funny thing is, everything I just wrote, is everything that Tom Renney preached, with the exception of the PP(which is why perry pearn should have been fired 2 seasons ago)
Which leads me to believe 1. this team is not that good, and maybe Sather needs to be held accountable.
2. They gave up on Renney, much like Delgado gave up on Willie....which if those are the type of players we have in the locker room, this is not a team I like to root for...
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