First rounder for someone who is going to be unrestricted is too costly...
- Blueshirts4ever

teams do it though, I think a lot of team's think they can win whole thing this year

teams do it though, I think a lot of team's think they can win whole thing this year
- jimbro83

I understand...but its a big gamble...those draft picks in this salary cap world are so vital...its become like the NFL that way

I understand...but its a big gamble...those draft picks in this salary cap world are so vital...its become like the NFL that way
- Blueshirts4ever

I would bet Pittsburgh is going to trade it this year. They had two first rounders last year, probably feel they are picking very late and have good youth coming along.

I would bet Pittsburgh is going to trade it this year. They had two first rounders last year, probably feel they are picking very late and have good youth coming along.
- jimbro83

They have been rumored to make a big splash along with Boston, they are probably the best 2 teams in the east, the Rangers road will go through one of them if not both....

AdamRotter Note: The Rangers Will Miss Evgeni Malkin On Saturday

Why can't we still aim to win the division? Yes we are 8 pts back but also 2 less games played.
- mrhattrick27

I am with you, not conceding the division just because Pittsburgh is scoring on another level.

Their defense is a joke and their goaltending is not too far behind that. Crosby is having an unreal season and they have three of the top five scorers in the league, thus far.

But if the Rangers keep playing the way they have, as of late, they will be right there with Bettman's favorite team.

I would bet Pittsburgh is going to trade it this year. They had two first rounders last year, probably feel they are picking very late and have good youth coming along.
- jimbro83

All of their prospects are defenseman. They are going to need it because they are almost guaranteed to lose Letang after next season.

Both he and Malkin are UFA at the end of next season.

I am with you, not conceding the division just because Pittsburgh is scoring on another level.

Their defense is a joke and their goaltending is not too far behind that. Crosby is having an unreal season and they have three of the top five scorers in the league, thus far.
But if the Rangers keep playing the way they have, as of late, they will be right there with Bettman's favorite team.
- MidnightMarauder

All the talk was how they re-committed to playing defensive hockey, if the Rangers could find a way to slow them down 5 on 5 and stay out of the damn box!

AdamRotter Note: The Rangers Will Miss Evgeni Malkin On Saturday
- Blueshirts4ever

He is out 1-2 weeks with a UBI not related to his concussion, belief is it's his shoulder. Pittsburgh didn't miss a beat without him yesterday.

He is out 1-2 weeks with a UBI not related to his concussion, belief is it's his shoulder. Pittsburgh didn't miss a beat without him yesterday.
- airjan23

Nor do they miss a beat when the other one is out...they score like a 1980's team...

I am with you, not conceding the division just because Pittsburgh is scoring on another level.

Their defense is a joke and their goaltending is not too far behind that. Crosby is having an unreal season and they have three of the top five scorers in the league, thus far.

But if the Rangers keep playing the way they have, as of late, they will be right there with Bettman's favorite team.
- MidnightMarauder

For a while they were the blackhawks and still may be. I haven't heard ESPN discuss a hockey team like that ever. It also means no way they eliminate the loser point. Had the hawks outright lost thsoe 3 games and didn't have the streak hockey wouldnt be discussed on ESPN. The NHL loved that they are havign Lebron James discuss the Blackhawks. Unfortunately for real fans the NHL ate that up and we have to live with the loser point.

All the talk was how they re-committed to playing defensive hockey, if the Rangers could find a way to slow them down 5 on 5 and stay out of the damn box!
- Blueshirts4ever

Avoid the slow starts against them too. That is the Pens M.O., try to bury teams early. The Rangers can beat them, just need to play disciplined, especially on the road.

For a while they were the blackhawks and still may be. I haven't heard ESPN discuss a hockey team like that ever. It also means no way they eliminate the loser point. Had the hawks outright lost thsoe 3 games and didn't have the streak hockey wouldnt be discussed on ESPN. The NHL loved that they are havign Lebron James discuss the Blackhawks. Unfortunately for real fans the NHL ate that up and we have to live with the loser point.
- mrhattrick27

The Hawks streak was impressive but the loser point is a joke and puts an asterisk next to the run they had.

A loss should be a loss and there shouldn't be a reward for it, period.

Avoid the slow starts against them too. That is the Pens M.O., try to bury teams early. The Rangers can beat them, just need to play disciplined, especially on the road.
- MidnightMarauder

Easier said than done, but that is the key. I posted earlier, Pitt seems ot be the one team we send 5 or 6 guys to the penalty box every time we play them...

The Hawks streak was impressive but the loser point is a joke and puts an asterisk next to the run they had.

A loss should be a loss and there shouldn't be a reward for it, period.
- MidnightMarauder

Or make every game a 3 point game except when one team wins in regulation they get all three and an OT win worth 2 points...the end of season playoff scramble would be insane...

The Hawks streak was impressive but the loser point is a joke and puts an asterisk next to the run they had.

A loss should be a loss and there shouldn't be a reward for it, period.
- MidnightMarauder

once the injuries starting hitting the Blackhawks, they've started to lose their mojo a little.

They were very lucky the first twenty or so games, but no team can stay away from the injuries with the games so compacted in this crazy little season.

Malkin will not be back for game vs Rangers on saturday

once the injuries starting hitting the Blackhawks, they've started to lose their mojo a little.

They were very lucky the first twenty or so games, but no team can stay away from the injuries with the games so compacted in this crazy little season.
- jimbro83

I'd rather be a dangerous Ranger team flying under the radar, you know a Pittsburgh/Chicago final is what people will predict...The Penguins have seemed to flame out towards the end of their seasons recently...when I say flying under the radar I get the feeling they have become an after thought, I guess a team that was picked by most to win the cup can't really be under the radar...make sense?

The Hawks streak was impressive but the loser point is a joke and puts an asterisk next to the run they had.

A loss should be a loss and there shouldn't be a reward for it, period.
- MidnightMarauder

To be fair, the 3 losses were in the SO, so they would have been ties in the good ol' days. Therefore they still would have the pts streak, and then technically it would have been an unbeaten streak.

I'd rather be a dangerous Ranger team flying under the radar, you know a Pittsburgh/Chicago final is what people will predict...The Penguins have seemed to flame out towards the end of their seasons recently...when I say flying under the radar I get the feeling they have become an after thought, I guess a team that was picked by most to win the cup can't really be under the radar...make sense?
- Blueshirts4ever

This years Kings essentially.

To be fair, the 3 losses were in the SO, so they would have been ties in the good ol' days. Therefore they still would have the pts streak, and then technically it would have been an unbeaten streak.
- gravey914

Unless your Stephen A Smith and call the 3 OTL ties...

To be fair, the 3 losses were in the SO, so they would have been ties in the good ol' days. Therefore they still would have the pts streak, and then technically it would have been an unbeaten streak.
- gravey914

I don't get why the Hawks thing is a record with the Flyers going 35 games unbeaten. Like you said, good ol' days those are ties and match up hand and hand with the Flyers so I dont get it.

This years Kings essentially.
- mrhattrick27

Its happened in the NHL, MLB and the NFL, the team that is playing the best at the end seems to carry the momentun in the playoffs...if the Rangers rally to a 5 or 6 seed its safe to say they will be hot going in...

EDIT...going is as the Atlantic Division Champ, why aim so low??

Its happened in the NHL, MLB and the NFL, the team that is playing the best at the end seems to carry the momentun in the playoffs...if the Rangers rally to a 5 or 6 seed its safe to say they will be hot going in...

EDIT...going is as the Atlantic Division Champ, why aim so low??
- Blueshirts4ever

Rally? Win 1 game and we are in 6.

Speaking of which, the West is nuts. 4 poibts seperate 3rd from 13th

Kreider 1 assist in 3 weekend games for Whale. No goals.

Thomas no points in 3 games.

Whale don't play again until saturday.