Assuming that the Rangers don't turn things around, as the General Manager, the first question I would ask the Coach is why so many players have underperformed this year, relative to their career averages? Is it just coincidence, or does you feel that the coaching has anything to do with?

My second question would be: Why is the powerplay so consistently bad? Is it me? Am I not getting you the talent you need? Or should I expect more?

And my third question would be, how do you intend to make next year different?
- Pete V

Succinct and to the point; those are the exact questions that need to be asked this offseason. Tortorella has to answer these great questions.

If you are the GM, and the Rangers lose this series in 4 or 5 games, and look pretty much like they have looked in Games 1-2, would you make a change at Coach? Or would you let the Coach start the next season?
- Pete V

It's hard to defend torts anymore if they lose in 4 or 5 to caps

If you are the GM, and the Rangers lose this series in 4 or 5 games, and look pretty much like they have looked in Games 1-2, would you make a change at Coach? Or would you let the Coach start the next season?
- Pete V

If they completely sh!t the bed this series, his job can't be safe, it just can't. If they win this round and perhaps win one more round or go down swinging, in that second round, he will likely be here next season.

Elliotte Friedmann tweeted about an hour ago that there will be no further discipline or hearings from the Montreal - Ottawa game last night. I'm guessing that's the official word.

Assuming that the Rangers don't turn things around, as the General Manager, the first question I would ask the Coach is why so many players have underperformed this year, relative to their career averages? Is it just coincidence, or does you feel that the coaching has anything to do with?

My second question would be: Why is the powerplay so consistently bad? Is it me? Am I not getting you the talent you need? Or should I expect more?

And my third question would be, how do you intend to make next year different?
- Pete V

All great questions, but Sather and Clark to an extent have to discuss strategy when drafting as well as in free agency.

Elliotte Friedmann tweeted about an hour ago that there will be no further discipline or hearings from the Montreal - Ottawa game last night. I'm guessing that's the official word.
- TheMessiah94

JOKE.

Elliotte Friedmann tweeted about an hour ago that there will be no further discipline or hearings from the Montreal - Ottawa game last night. I'm guessing that's the official word.
- TheMessiah94

so far, that would be the biggest joke of the playoffs

Another excellent article. I am starting to like your writing more then most the caps writers I read.

Real quick question on the whole delay of game call. Did the refs just fail to realize that it went straight off the caps player into the crowd or did they not call it because it was "deflected" or however it is put. Up until now, I thought it was the prior reason that they just thought it hit something else on the way out. If that isn't the case, then what a horrid call. There was definitely intent to hit the puck by the caps so in no way was it a deflection.

I AM surprised how quick Prust has looked small. He said no to fighting Neil several times when the game mattered last night. Then when Neil was gassesd at the end of a shift Prust came off the bench and wanted at him, thats a no no. His comments about MacLean, also going at another (I forgot who) non fighter.

I've never seen a team look more like douches than Montreal did last night.

Elliotte Friedmann tweeted about an hour ago that there will be no further discipline or hearings from the Montreal - Ottawa game last night. I'm guessing that's the official word.
- TheMessiah94

So it's okay to intentionally shoot a puck at an unsuspecting player? It's alright to elbow players in the head? It's okay to repeatedly try to punch a relatively defenseless player as he lays on the ice and a linesman tries to break it up? It's okay for Gallagher to take a punch at a guy who hadn't dropped his gloves? I'm not saying suspend the whole team or anything but fines, a suspension or two, that should have happened.

So it's okay to intentionally shoot a puck at an unsuspecting player? It's alright to elbow players in the head? It's okay to repeatedly try to punch a relatively defenseless player as he lays on the ice and a linesman tries to break it up? It's okay for Gallagher to take a punch at a guy who hadn't dropped his gloves? I'm not saying suspend the whole team or anything but fines, a suspension or two, that should have happened.
- gkmkiller

Unbelievable. Its again the NHL punishing for results, not intent. No Sen was seriously injured so no suspensions.

I AM surprised how quick Prust has looked small. He said no to fighting Neil several times when the game mattered last night. Then when Neil was gassesd at the end of a shift Prust came off the bench and wanted at him, thats a no no. His comments about MacLean, also going at another (I forgot who) non fighter.

I've never seen a team look more like douches than Montreal did last night.
- B2B76

As I watched the game I got the sense that Prust and Neil wanted to go but neither one wanted to be the first guy to drop the gloves and get suckered into a penalty. Then all of the other stuff happened and Prust was on the bench. I believe Neil got the gate after the line brawl? I agree though, I was disappointed in Prust's on-ice behavior last night. I can't remember him acting like that when he played here. I think Prust and Neil should drop the gloves early in the first and then both teams just let it all go but I doubt that's going to happen.

Elliotte Friedmann tweeted about an hour ago that there will be no further discipline or hearings from the Montreal - Ottawa game last night. I'm guessing that's the official word.
- TheMessiah94

Shanahan is so backwards its not even funny anymore. How no Canadiens get even a game is ridiculous. I don't know what he was watching and guess what if I'm Ottawa now I'm saying oh ok good its legal to elbow people in the head, sucker punch them etc so we better start doing it too if we want to survive out there. Shanahan must really just spin a wheel

As I watched the game I got the sense that Prust and Neil wanted to go but neither one wanted to be the first guy to drop the gloves and get suckered into a penalty. Then all of the other stuff happened and Prust was on the bench. I believe Neil got the gate after the line brawl? I agree though, I was disappointed in Prust's on-ice behavior last night. I can't remember him acting like that when he played here. I think Prust and Neil should drop the gloves early in the first and then both teams just let it all go but I doubt that's going to happen.
- gkmkiller

I saw that whole gm. There were a few times that Neil chased Prust around & nothing happened (I know Prust is not afraid of Neil, they've fought before.) Then like you said before it got out of hand they had the stare down & no dice, think that was where neil was out there for a while.

Seeing White get his ass kicked was the best by Cowan. So many little sh!ts on Montreal, from PK to Gallagher to Pax, etc. Really hope the Sens finish those clowns off. OLE.....

Another excellent article. I am starting to like your writing more then most the caps writers I read.

Real quick question on the whole delay of game call. Did the refs just fail to realize that it went straight off the caps player into the crowd or did they not call it because it was "deflected" or however it is put. Up until now, I thought it was the prior reason that they just thought it hit something else on the way out. If that isn't the case, then what a horrid call. There was definitely intent to hit the puck by the caps so in no way was it a deflection.
- alienarecoming

Thanks for the kind words. My understanding is their view was that it was deflected, but have to check if an official call was made.

Another excellent article. I am starting to like your writing more then most the caps writers I read.

Real quick question on the whole delay of game call. Did the refs just fail to realize that it went straight off the caps player into the crowd or did they not call it because it was "deflected" or however it is put. Up until now, I thought it was the prior reason that they just thought it hit something else on the way out. If that isn't the case, then what a horrid call. There was definitely intent to hit the puck by the caps so in no way was it a deflection.
- alienarecoming

I believe at the referees discretion he ruled it wasn't intentional, like the Cap deflected it out of play. I was shocked but what are ya gonna do.

I saw that whole gm. There were a few times that Neil chased Prust around & nothing happened (I know Prust is not afraid of Neil, they've fought before.) Then like you said before it got out of hand they had the stare down & no dice, think that was where neil was out there for a while.

Seeing White get his ass kicked was the best by Cowan. So many little sh!ts on Montreal, from PK to Gallagher to Pax, etc. Really hope the Sens finish those clowns off. OLE.....
- B2B76

That was great seeing White catch a beating. I can't stand Montreal I hope they lose out rest of the series. Last night made me hate them even more if possible. It was great hearing the Sens fans.. Ole Ole Ole Oleeeeee

So it's okay to intentionally shoot a puck at an unsuspecting player? It's alright to elbow players in the head? It's okay to repeatedly try to punch a relatively defenseless player as he lays on the ice and a linesman tries to break it up? It's okay for Gallagher to take a punch at a guy who hadn't dropped his gloves? I'm not saying suspend the whole team or anything but fines, a suspension or two, that should have happened.
- gkmkiller

Its not Ok, but sucker punches have never really been a suspendable offense unless you Bertuzzi someone. And neither is intentionally shooting the puck at someone, although the only other time I remember that happening was Alfie shooting the puck at Nieds in the finals a few years back. Definitely agree that some fines needed to be handed out though.

Thanks for the kind words. My understanding is their view was that it was deflected, but have to check if an official call was made.
- airjan23

I believe at the referees discretion he ruled it wasn't intentional, like the Cap deflected it out of play. I was shocked but what are ya gonna do.
- pcjr307

No way. Here I have been thinking that the refs just thought it hit the glass or something. That is asinine. The caps player made an effort to hit the puck with his stick which then went into the crowd. I now understand why NYR fans would be upset and rightfully so.


On another note, it seems that as the NHL makes more rules and regulations to make the games more fairly called, the games get worst as times go on. From these delay of games calls to the whole Montreal-Ottowa series, to calls in the Pitt-NYI series there are horrid calls and worst disciplinary actions taken. There is zero consistency, it is pathetic. If I were a team owner, I would be demanding explanations face to face rather than Shanahan and everyone else hiding through a green screen. I want an hour long video explaining why A was a suspension but not B or why X was a penalty buy not Y. Maybe in the making of said video they would realize how bad they are doing.

Its not Ok, but sucker punches have never really been a suspendable offense unless you Bertuzzi someone. And neither is intentionally shooting the puck at someone, although the only other time I remember that happening was Alfie shooting the puck at Nieds in the finals a few years back. Definitely agree that some fines needed to be handed out though.
- rmdevil313

Bernie Nicholls did it to Glenn Anderson in Gm 6 of the Ranger/Dev series in 94, in fact it was just moments after the famous Mess hat trick. Nicholls was getting a delayed call on him already & wound up full throttle & aimed at Anderson whom he & Stevens had had a war with all series. No suspension there though either.

If you are the GM, and the Rangers lose this series in 4 or 5 games, and look pretty much like they have looked in Games 1-2, would you make a change at Coach? Or would you let the Coach start the next season?
- Pete V

Pete, stirring the pot again. I'll refrain from giving an awswer. You all know how I feel.

According to Andrew Gross's replacement, Hank got injured in yesterdy's practice. He is still expected to start tonight but man, if he is hurt and not on top of his game, wave the white flag of surrender now.

Pete, stirring the pot again. I'll refrain from giving an awswer. You all know how I feel.
- DONMURDOCH14

No, not intending to stir the pot. The good thing about the Rangers' position is that they are alive. Being alive gives everyone, coaches and players, the opportunity to change the perception of this year's team and coaching. But, they are on life support, and hopefully, if they really care about the their own job security and the position of the coach, they'll come out guns a blazing tonight. Or, do they require Sean Avery to tweet something to wake them up?

Unbelievable. Its again the NHL punishing for results, not intent. No Sen was seriously injured so no suspensions.
- B2B76

The NHL's supplemental discipline office really is a disgrace. Might as well just spin a wheel to determine suspensions.

According to Andrew Gross's replacement, Hank got injured in yesterdy's practice. E is still expected to start tonight but man, if he is hurt and not on top of his game, wave the white flag of surrender now.
- MidnightMarauder