Bingo. You don't need "that one guy." It's a team concept. That's the mistake that Buffalo made. They went out and got Steve Ott and Jon Scott (that's some rhyming right there) and assumed that they were tough. 2 tough players does not make a team tough. It's a mindset of the entire team, with each player not allowing the other team to take liberties against them and their teammates.

Again, not saying the Rangers are bad, but if I were a Rangers fan, I'd want to at least see some shred of toughness last night.
- jmatchett383

Reminds me if the 2011-12 rangers team. That team was full of tough SOBs.

I agree that the team is less tough than others, but every team in on the receiving end of cheap shots. Yes, if Burrows ran a Bruin or Flyer, there would have been more retaliation. But I don't think he would have done anything differently, in the heat of the moment, knowing there would be push back. I don't think he thought "well its the Rangers so I can run MCD"
- AgraipVigneaurd

Well, Burrows is a special case. He's one of the top agitators/dirty players in the NHL. There's certain players (Rinaldo and Carcillo are there) who will not back down from throwing a big hit regardless of the team. But at the same time, if you see no push back, maybe it makes the other Vancouver players (or, if it's the Flyers, the other Flyers players) feel like they can go out and be as physical as they want with no fear of retaliation.

I played hockey for 15 years at various levels. I am 5'8 155 lb, and was smaller than that for most of my career. However, anytime that someone took a shot at a teammate, I was always first on the scene to make sure he knew that didn't pass with me, and I knew everyone on my team was the same way with me (for the bulk of it that I played on the same team, anyway). I always loved my teammates for that, and we played a more fearless game because of it.

Bingo. You don't need "that one guy." It's a team concept. That's the mistake that Buffalo made. They went out and got Steve Ott and Jon Scott (that's some rhyming right there) and assumed that they were tough. 2 tough players does not make a team tough. It's a mindset of the entire team, with each player not allowing the other team to take liberties against them and their teammates.

Again, not saying the Rangers are bad, but if I were a Rangers fan, I'd want to at least see some shred of toughness last night.
- jmatchett383

I'm with you a 100% on this. Its just something I think this team really needs to work on.

Well, Burrows is a special case. He's one of the top agitators/dirty players in the NHL. There's certain players (Rinaldo and Carcillo are there) who will not back down from throwing a big hit regardless of the team. But at the same time, if you see no push back, maybe it makes the other Vancouver players (or, if it's the Flyers, the other Flyers players) feel like they can go out and be as physical as they want with no fear of retaliation.

I played hockey for 15 years at various levels. I am 5'8 155 lb, and was smaller than that for most of my career. However, anytime that someone took a shot at a teammate, I was always first on the scene to make sure he knew that didn't pass with me, and I knew everyone on my team was the same way with me (for the bulk of it that I played on the same team, anyway). I always loved my teammates for that, and we played a more fearless game because of it.
- jmatchett383

I also think a reason that the rangers didnt jump burrows is cuz the hit wasnt dirty or even look that bad. Seemed like a regular hockey play where mcdonagh impacted the boards the wrong way.

I also think a reason that the rangers didnt jump burrows is cuz the hit wasnt dirty or even look that bad. Seemed like a regular hockey play where mcdonagh impacted the boards the wrong way.
- rangerdanger94

Honestly, I didn't wanna say this because "Flyers fan." He comes up high, but it wasn't a charge or a head shot. Still, if the hit happened to, say, David Krejci, there would be 4 guys racing to the spot to maul Burrows.

Honestly, I didn't wanna say this because "Flyers fan." He comes up high, but it wasn't a charge or a head shot. Still, if the hit happened to, say, David Krejci, there would be 4 guys racing to the spot to maul Burrows.
- jmatchett383

I dont think the bruins wouldve even fought. It would've been more of a scrum but thats it. The hit really didnt warrant a fight.

Definitely agree. I just want to see some team toughness when one of our best players is lying on the ice. Don't want to goon it up, just make it known as a team this is unacceptable.
- mdw7413

Yup, I also would have liked to see a reaction from the team, and it would probably help their overall game. The difficulty is that it is hard to find guys with skill and toughness, like a Lucic or Kesler. Most guys are either one or the other. But yes, it would be nice to have more of those type players and more of that attitude.

I just don't understand the thinking behind comments like:

They'll be pounded in the playoffs. Sather did nothing to help the team for the playoffs, only cared about making the playoffs.

Especially when the team has been playing consistently well for a few months.

In our need for information with such a high profle player. Larry Brooks and other shave reported that McDonagh is flying with the team to Denver. Usually if it was a really bad injury they send him back home to NY to see the team doctors, I don't believe the team doctors travel. Maybe I'm grasping at any sign of hope here, but we will see.

In our need for information with such a high profle player. Larry Brooks and other shave reported that McDonagh is flying with the team to Denver. Usually if it was a really bad injury they send him back home to NY to see the team doctors, I don't believe the team doctors travel. Maybe I'm grasping at any sign of hope here, but we will see.
- Blueshirts4ever

The fact that the spokesman released info that the injury is not serious makes me confident he will be day-to-day. Given the team's usual secrecy about injuries, if they came out and said it is not serious, there has got to be little to no chance he is out for an extended period of time. They would not risk the backlash from releasing misinformation.

In our need for information with such a high profle player. Larry Brooks and other shave reported that McDonagh is flying with the team to Denver. Usually if it was a really bad injury they send him back home to NY to see the team doctors, I don't believe the team doctors travel. Maybe I'm grasping at any sign of hope here, but we will see.
- Blueshirts4ever

Even if he wants to play against Colorado, I would rest him that game. Moore is supposedly ready to go, and we are in a little more comfortable spot to make the playoffs now than if this happened last week.

I dont think the bruins wouldve even fought. It would've been more of a scrum but thats it. The hit really didnt warrant a fight.
- rangerdanger94

You know, on looking at it again Danger, I have to agree too. It's excessive with Mac engaged & it's late with no chance of that hit changing the outcome of the game, but otherwise I see a hard fair hit with the result being unfortunate. With him traveling to Denver, looks like the worst has been avoided. Let's just hope & pray it's all good.

Even if he wants to play against Colorado, I would rest him that game. Moore is supposedly ready to go, and we are in a little more comfortable spot to make the playoffs now than if this happened last week.
- mdw7413

Def sit him tomorrow, I dont care what Mac says, we know he's a warrior & if it's a playoff game, he's going but with our spot almost locked up I would rest him.

You know, on looking at it again Danger, I have to agree too. It's excessive with Mac engaged & it's late with no chance of that hit changing the outcome of the game, but otherwise I see a hard fair hit with the result being unfortunate. With him traveling to Denver, looks like the worst has been avoided. Let's just hope & pray it's all good.
- B2B76

hopefully he only misses a game or two for the Rag$ and is at full strength by the time the playoffs begin

would love to play you guys in the finals because I think we'd tear you up

Kesler and Sedin both thought they should have won the game, they must also think that Eddie Lack is a decent goaltender and they're gonna be in the playoffs, more dreams that aren't coming true
- cranford93

Lack is more than a decent goalie.

He's a great young ROOKIE goalie who's being relied on way too much to try to hold together these scraps of an NHL team right now.

I think there is a distinction between toughness and looking for retribution. You can't tell me guys like DG, Mac, Staal, Kreider, Boyle (yes that Boyle), are not tough. I think the Flyers toughness is a bit overstated, where was it last Wednesday? If there was ever a time to exert this supposed physical advantage wasn't that as good as any? In fact, that win looks real damn good when you consider the Flyers recent run of good results. Toughness is overcoming all that extra garbage as a team. The best way to handle a pitcher that throws inside is to hit the ball out of the park, if we start making these teams pay on the scoreboard then what does this perceived physicality get them?

Boston is a great team not because they're tough but because they have crazy underrated skill to go along with size and speed. They are a complete hockey team. Thats why they win, not because they are tougher.

Def sit him tomorrow, I dont care what Mac says, we know he's a warrior & if it's a playoff game, he's going but with our spot almost locked up I would rest him.
- B2B76

exactly

Lack is more than a decent goalie.

He's a great young ROOKIE goalie who's being relied on way too much to try to hold together these scraps of an NHL team right now.
- Fosco

hopefully he only misses a game or two for the Rag$ and is at full strength by the time the playoffs begin

would love to play you guys in the finals because I think we'd tear you up
- jambodelta99

Arent we 2-0 against you guys this year?

[quote=jambodelta99]hopefully he only misses a game or two for the Rag$ and is at full strength by the time the playoffs begin

X__________________________ Can I sign this right now?

Arent we 2-0 against you guys this year?
- rangerdanger94

you guys got all the calls

- jambodelta99

Great young rookie goalie, sure.

Doesn't necessarily mean he's going to be a great starter.

Why don't you ask JJ what he thinks of Lack?

Seriously? What do you expect from a rookie who's started 17 in a row for this team?

When the team was still remotely healthy, his numbers were near the top of the league. He's being overworked.

- jambodelta99

Lack > Crawford

Great young rookie goalie, sure.

Doesn't necessarily mean he's going to be a great starter.

Why don't you ask JJ what he thinks of Lack?

Seriously? What do you expect from a rookie who's started 17 in a row for this team?
- Fosco

I think you and I differ on the definition of the word "great"

I also think you and I differ on the definition of the word "young" too

Here is my view. You don't pick a fight on the opponents terms that you can't win. If some Bruin takes a run at one of the better players, how much of a deterrent do you think it is that that player would have to answer the call for a fight? It's not much of a deterrrent, because very few players, actually get injured in fights. The fight aspect of hockey is something that makes us all feel really good, but really doesn't accomplish much of anything in terms of detering back conduct.

You want to deter bad conduct? Then you fight the battle on terms you can win. You take a hack at one of by better players with a stick? You better believe that the same thing is going to happen to your better players. You want to take a headshot at one of my better players? Well, then your better players better keep their head up, because revenge is a dish best served gold. Fights don't deter anything, especially when you can't win them. But, being willing to retaliate in manner that creates the same risk of injury for the opposition as they have created for your better players does.

All I am saying is I don't think that having a couple of goons in the lineup that can win a fight doesn't do much to deter.

Here is my view. You don't pick a fight on the opponents terms that you can't win. If some Bruin takes a run at one of the better players, how much of a deterrent do you think it is that that player would have to answer the call for a fight? It's not much of a deterrrent, because very few players, actually get injured in fights. The fight aspect of hockey is something that makes us all feel really good, but really doesn't accomplish much of anything in terms of detering back conduct.

You want to deter bad conduct? Then you fight the battle on terms you can win. You take a hack at one of by better players with a stick? You better believe that the same thing is going to happen to your better players. You want to take a headshot at one of my better players? Well, then your better players better keep their head up, because revenge is a dish best served gold. Fights don't deter anything, especially when you can't win them. But, being willing to retaliate in manner that creates the same risk of injury for the opposition as they have created for your better players does.

All I am saying is I don't think that having a couple of goons in the lineup that can win a fight doesn't do much to deter.
- Pete V

ya scarin me mr pete