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GDT: Canes @ Rangers 1/28 7:00

This was a pretty fun game to watch - especially when the Canes got off their usual style of play and went end-to-end with the Rags. When they got their forecheck and puck possession going in the 3rd it looked like the Rags just about gave up all hope. Freddie was outstanding and Svech played his most complete game of the year.
 
Boy, that team defense of the rangers is a hot mess right now. “Lotta damn loafing going on” as my dad would say.
 
To be honest, most of Carolina's games against the Rangers are fun to watch. Not all of them end up being track meets, but NY was pushing the forwards out early like it was their only option to generate chances. This Canes team is not last year's model though, and I'm not sure you really want to get in a track meet with them. I know Brindy gets frustrated when they can't get the grind game going, but this team is so much better in transition that it doesn't matter nearly as much when they get the possession game tuned in.

And yeah, the Rangers' D is better off without Trouba running around being an idiot, but they're still a mess in their own zone sometimes. A lot of it is on the forwards though. None of their top 6 can be trusted to back check or even to rotate down to help ... so you end up with that 4th goal for the Canes when Jarvis is literally stationary in the slot without a defender within 15 feet. That just can't happen.
 
And how much free time did Svech get to play with the puck for one of his goals? He was a wide open target for Hall's great pass.
 
NoMich said:
And how much free time did Svech get to play with the puck for one of his goals? He was a wide open target for Hall's great pass.
Click to expand...
Just strolling down Broadway, man. Had time to fumble the puck and then toe drag to the snapper. He could have gotten in line for a hot pastrami and still gotten off a shot.

I thought he was so open because he came off the bench, but then I realized that he literally just recycled back into the zone and the defenders completely lost track of him. That CANNOT happen when everybody on D is being paid to be there.
 
Tryamw said:
Recalls goals like Jarvis' scored against us
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A couple yeah, but in a man to man defensive system that's gonna happen from time to time. Every so often a guy gets picked or makes a bad decision to go get in a passing lane or something. It's the price you pay for puck pressure. In a relatively soft zone like NYR plays, Miller simply doesn't have the freedom to make that decision to bail on Jarvis like he did ... because nobody's even thinking about covering the space.
 
I was pleasantly surprised with Stillman last night. Physical guy that didn’t take himself out of plays trying to get a hit. Seems to be a smart player, like his dad.

Hall just stepped right in and was at home. He can do so many things good that it was easy for him to blend right in.

Rantanen has looked pretty good, but he’s still getting used to Aho and Blake. He’s made a couple of really good, and smart, defensive plays. By this time next week he will breakout and when he does watch out
 
Robinson had another great night last night, Hall and he almost connected but Shesty was quick.

And good on Stillman for dropping the mitts and holding his own, he got some good lefts in there before losing his balance.
 
Rantanen is still guessing out there when he's got the puck. It's pretty obvious that once he starts to have a better handle on what everybody else is doing, he'll make more plays at even strength. The power play with him on it looks like a work in progress thus far, but I expect him to eventually settle into a set role. So much of PP1's action went through Necas that it's a huge adjustement for everyone.

And yeah, Stillman is pretty basic but he's solid. I was really surprised he couldn't carve out a role in Buffalo, but their loss is Carolina's gain.
 
I’ll echo everyone else’s sentiments:

Rangers are a wreck— does Drury blow up the team? Zabinajab is loafing and Krieder is a hollow shell. Lavi has to be on the hot seat.

That was a fun game and exciting to see how well Hall and Rantanen fit in and fleshed out the team.

Freddie was on point all night.

Looking forward to how we match up against Toronto, Florida, NJ and WAS as we get into the heart of the season.
 
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