Ovechkin is still a great player but something is off in his game, these last few years.

Stepan's goal was huge, swung the momentum in the Rangers favor. He is turning into a perfect second line center. Can even be a top line center when Richards' game is off.

The homegrown talent on this team, considering they never have a lottery pick, is really impressive.

Oh and that Rick Nash guy is pretty good too, hahaha
- MidnightMarauder

Ovechkin isn't the same. Looks to me like spending the lockout home has affected his desire to play in the NHL. He has glided all season and he isn't living up to the contract and more importantly the "C" on his sweater.

All those years of coverage, eh?

Can't say enough of how outstanding it is to have this guy on the Rangers.
- MidnightMarauder

The best part is he just genuinely wants to win. It was a shame he had to play in obscurity. Same thing is going to happen to Tavares although I suppose the move to Brooklyn will help.

All those years of coverage, eh?

Can't say enough of how outstanding it is to have this guy on the Rangers.
- MidnightMarauder

Yes, of course. Even from afar I've watched that team. He has been a real difference maker with the Rangers. In Columbus I think the weight of being THE FRANCHISE got to be too much. If Carter had gone there played well, taken some of the burden of Nash and had Mason been even league average then things could have been vastly different for Nash in Columbus.

Ovechkin isn't the same. Looks to me like spending the lockout home has affected his desire to play in the NHL. He has glided all season and he isn't living up to the contract and more importantly the "C" on his sweater.
- Blueshirts4ever

He is definitely mentally just not interested anymore. Looks like he is just going through the motions, and the team is just getting worse and worse. Hes becoming a sort of a parasite on the team and the worst part is hes the captain, hes the head of the beast.

Ovechkin isn't the same. Looks to me like spending the lockout home has affected his desire to play in the NHL. He has glided all season and he isn't living up to the contract and more importantly the "C" on his sweater.
- Blueshirts4ever

i think it's a few things. he seems totally disinterested in playing for oates and his system. doesn't help he isn't playing his natural position this year and his trusty center backstrom isn't the same player he was a few years ago either.

i think it's a few things. he seems totally disinterested in playing for oates and his system. doesn't help he isn't playing his natural position this year and his trusty center backstrom isn't the same player he was a few years ago either.
- rangerdanger94

It all changed when Boudreau changed the system to a more defensive system. I think it took all the fun out of hockey for Ovi when it wasnt a full on attack for all 60 minutes.

It all changed when Boudreau changed the system to a more defensive system. I think it took all the fun out of hockey for Ovi when it wasnt a full on attack for all 60 minutes.
- aecliptic

that's when it started but at the same time, i don't think ovi is that selfish of a player where he's gonna mentally check out just cuz he has to play more defense. i think ovi feels that the cap's playoff hopes are lost so there's no point in really trying at this point too...

that's when it started but at the same time, i don't think ovi is that selfish of a player where he's gonna mentally check out just cuz he has to play more defense. i think ovi feels that the cap's playoff hopes are lost so there's no point in really trying at this point too...
- rangerdanger94

Yea, but hes been playing like that since game 1. Did he check out before the season even started? Was he having that much fun playing in Russia that he feels a burden coming back to the US away from family and friends?

PS: How did this become a therapy session deciphering Ovechkin's problems? We would normally be crapping on the guy... has it gotten so bad that we feel bad for him?

Yes, of course. Even from afar I've watched that team. He has been a real difference maker with the Rangers. In Columbus I think the weight of being THE FRANCHISE got to be too much. If Carter had gone there played well, taken some of the burden of Nash and had Mason been even league average then things could have been vastly different for Nash in Columbus.
- Glen Miller

Without question, Nash had too much responsibility and almost no help over in Columbus.

Over here, while without a doubt being the Rangers best and most skilled forward, he has a lot of good players around him for support. If he continues to remain comfortable here in NY, and there is no reason why he should be otherwise, he will put up some really impressive numbers for the majority--if not the entirety--of his contract.

Absolutely dominant when he is going good.

Without question, Nash had too much responsibility and almost no help over in Columbus.

Over here, while without a doubt being the Rangers best and most skilled forward, he has a lot of good players around him for support. If he continues to remain comfortable here in NY, and there is no reason why he should be otherwise, he will put up some really impressive numbers for the majority--if not the entirety--of his contract.

Absolutely dominant when he is going good.
- MidnightMarauder

I wonder if Gabby is a little intimidated by Nash, his confidence has fallen by the waist side. His shoulder should be healed, but hes being extra tentative and reluctant to get aggressive, hes also not shooting as much as he should.

I wonder if Gabby is a little intimidated by Nash, his confidence has fallen by the waist side. His shoulder should be healed, but hes being extra tentative and reluctant to get aggressive, hes also not shooting as much as he should.
- aecliptic

i don't think he's intimidated...he just needs other players on his line to take the attention away from him. he's very easily defendable. while cally and stepan are good top-six players, when that line is out there, all the attention will be placed on gabby. he needs to get the puck when he's got time and space to aim and shoot but right now when he gets the puck, all a defender has to do is put their body on him or disturb him a little bit and he won't get his shot off well.

when he was playing with nash, nash would draw defenders and then dish to gabby with sweet passes that gabby would bury.

i think that's why the gabby you saw his first year here with the slick snipes shows up less and less and more and more of the goals he scores are dirty goals.

i don't think he's intimidated...he just needs other players on his line to take the attention away from him. he's very easily defendable. while cally and stepan are good top-six players, when that line is out there, all the attention will be placed on gabby. he needs to get the puck when he's got time and space to aim and shoot but right now when he gets the puck, all a defender has to do is put their body on him or disturb him a little bit and he won't get his shot off well.

when he was playing with nash, nash would draw defenders and then dish to gabby with sweet passes that gabby would bury.

i think that's why the gabby you saw his first year here with the slick snipes shows up less and less and more and more of the goals he scores are dirty goals.
- rangerdanger94

Well Gabby has immense speed and skating, he should be able to create chances for himself and not solely rely on other players to create for him. If it helps him, they should reunite him with Richards since Stepan played great with Nash and Hags when Richie was out. Also, I dont see Gaborik going to the net. Cally, Step, Hags, Richie create a lot of opportunities in front of the net whether its a rebound or a blind pass to the net... and theres never anyone there. If Gaborik doesnt want to be on the boards, he needs to be at the net.

Im so not in the mood for the buffalo trolls for two or three days. I hope haley smashes someone on tuesday

ughhhh

wake up, check the blog and see Kaleta's face 90 times.

not the way to start the day

ughhhh

wake up, check the blog and see Kaleta's face 90 times.

not the way to start the day
- jimbro83

Wait till tomorrow, its gon be on round here.
And that hit by Simmonds was dirty last night, I just wonder if the Buffalo fans think Ennis was faking?

How much you want to bet "some" Buffalo fans actually boo Richards when he touches the puck tomorrrow?

How much you want to bet "some" Buffalo fans actually boo Richards when he touches the puck tomorrrow?
- B2B76

I think it's an absolute forgone conclusion

Despite not having a point all season long, the Sabres have lost 3 in a row without his massive skills in the lineup, and that is all the fault of Brad Richards faking it.

I think it's an absolute forgone conclusion

Despite not having a point all season long, the Sabres have lost 3 in a row without his massive skills in the lineup, and that is all the fault of Brad Richards faking it.
- jimbro83

Haley should be ready to mix it up, no problem for him. Scott though is so much bigger but I don't think he's that great a fighter. Ott is another Kaleta, only goes with guys he knows he has a good chance to beat. We'll see, def should be an emotional one.

Haley should be ready to mix it up, no problem for him. Scott though is so much bigger but I don't think he's that great a fighter. Ott is another Kaleta, only goes with guys he knows he has a good chance to beat. We'll see, def should be an emotional one.
- B2B76

I think Bickel will be in the lineup for the sole purpose of fighting with Scott.

I think Bickel will be in the lineup for the sole purpose of fighting with Scott.
- tomburton99

Scott was such garbage for us. Played in only a handful of games & think he had only that 1 fight I can remember with Jansenns & he lost.

- cranford93

Didn't want to do it but yes, I'm on Garth's thread.

- cranford93

I saw you post that on Garf's thread.

Scott was such garbage for us. Played in only a handful of games & think he had only that 1 fight I can remember with Jansenns & he lost.
- B2B76

Buffalo thinks he's the next Probert.

Buffalo thinks he's the next Probert.
- tomburton99

He can't skate, he's not even a good fighter for being 8 ft tall.