Friday, October 23, 2009

Defensive Basics & Line Changes

Steve Zipay at Blue Notes reports that John Tortorella went back to basics at practice today especially with the defensemen where they worked on how to view an on-coming rush, closing off rushing wingers along the boards and being physical around the net without ending up in the penalty box.

On the defensive problems last night, Torts said...

"blown coverages, plain and simple. We had the guys there, we just missed an assignment."

Dan Girardi, whose play this season was described as "very average" by Torts last night which was changed to "inconsistent" today, said of his work ethic...

"I try to go out and play hard every shift," Girardi told me. "If it looks like I'm not working as hard as I should... That's something I can't control."

...i sense a little anger in that statement.

While, Andrew Gross at Ranger Rants notes that for the first time this season Torts tinkered with the defensive pairings by putting Staal with Gilroy and Girardi with Redden.

Forward line changes included...
Lisin-Prospal-Gaborik
Avery-Drury-Kotalik
Higgins-Dubinsky-Callahan
Brashear/Boyle-Anisimov-Voros.

Gross adds that Anisimov was on the ice late with Valiquette meaning he will be a likely scratch tomorrow night against the Canadiens.

...hate to see Anisimov being scratched. Would rather him try to find his game on the fourth line similar to Kotalik and Lisin.

1 comment:

theking said...

Girardi is a bozo. I cant stand him. His comment sounds childish. He believes he can just go on the ice, work hard and everything will be ok and if its not he cant control it. What an asshole, he needs to wake up and realize working hard is only half and the other half is being SMART on the ice. He really shouldnt say anything after letting Parise sneak behind him for a breakaway goal. Keep your head on a damn swivel. I really dont like these line changes. I agree that it sucks scratching Anisimov. I just dont know why Dubi got demoted. Lisin on the 1st line?? Ive watched every game and just dont understand how he is on the 1st line. I think he is not tough enough with the puck and gets rid of it to quick instead of making a play. these would be my lines

prospal-dubi-gaborik
avery-drury-kotalik
lisin-anisimov-cally
higgins-boyle-voros/brash