Not a lot of blame should be placed on the forwards. Although they didn't cash in on the myriad of chances they had, with the exception of Nash, all four lines generated a ton of scoring chances last night. Halak was awesome in the second period and the Rangers just couldn't find that extra goal to pad the lead.

Then Kostka happened.

As bad as the defense looked, in general, those two egregious Kostka turnovers which led to goals two and three for the Isles, took the wind out of the team's sails.

Not excusing Hank, McDonagh, Girardi and Staal, because all were terrible last night, but without those two gifts by Kostka this game could have been had for the Rangers.

Back to the drawing board but the forward lines shouldn't be tampered with; all looked strong last night overall. Maybe a shakeup of the defensive pairings might be in order.

Carolina will be without Eric Staal Jordan Staal and possibly skinner. No excuses. I really like Hayes and stempniaks game. Keep with it, let things work themselves out, we can't be this bad. When step is back the lines will look solid and I would leave nash with msl.
Nash-Step-MSL
CK-Brass-Duclair
Zucc-Hayes-Hags
Stempniak-Moore-Malone

Much more balanced than what we have now.
- nyrangers9479

Hayes generated a lot last night. Nash continues to get it done. Stempniak has been absolutely solid early on. Duclair, although not as effective last night, continues to get points and look dangerous. Brassard is starting to play better. Kreider has tailed off a bit but nowhere near the alarming rate of Zuccarello or Hagelin. Malone was effective all night; on the power play and even strength.

The forward combos were not the problem last night. The defense is a sieve and Lundqvist looks bad. Don't want to sh!t on the face of the franchise but it's pretty hard to ignore.

Hayes generated a lot last night. Nash continues to get it done. Stempniak has been absolutely solid early on. Duclair, although not as effective last night, continues to get points and look dangerous. Brassard is starting to play better. Kreider has tailed off a bit but nowhere near the alarming rate of Zuccarello or Hagelin. Malone was effective all night; on the power play and even strength.

The forward combos were not the problem last night. The defense is a sieve and Lundqvist looks bad. Don't want to sh!t on the face of the franchise but it's pretty hard to ignore.
- MidnightMarauder

Forwards coverage in front of the net has been embarrassingly poor. Much of the blame is on the D and Hank, but can't absolve the forwards completely.

Hayes generated a lot last night. Nash continues to get it done. Stempniak has been absolutely solid early on. Duclair, although not as effective last night, continues to get points and look dangerous. Brassard is starting to play better. Kreider has tailed off a bit but nowhere near the alarming rate of Zuccarello or Hagelin. Malone was effective all night; on the power play and even strength.

The forward combos were not the problem last night. The defense is a sieve and Lundqvist looks bad. Don't want to sh!t on the face of the franchise but it's pretty hard to ignore.
- MidnightMarauder

One thing I would put on the forwards is defensive coverage in their own zone, and not being physical enough on the forecheck.

Well technically that's 2 things.

Forwards coverage in front of the net has been embarrassingly poor. Much of the blame is on the D and Hank, but can't absolve the forwards completely.
- airjan23

They are small up the middle which is why they need to continue to play Hayes and put Miller back in the mix. Get MSL back on the wing where he belongs. He might have four assists and a plus rating but he is not a center. Give Miller a real shot at being a player here and put him up with top notch forwards. Miller, Brassard, Hayes and Moore should all be in the lineup at the same time.

Scratch Glass and throw Hagelin on the fourth line for now until he finds his game again.

One thing I would put on the forwards is defensive coverage in their own zone, and not being physical enough on the forecheck.

Well technically that's 2 things.
- mdw7413

It's really the center position defensive coverage that is severely lacking. Wings stay high and cover the points while the center drops down low to support the defense.

The center and defensemen, on this team, are not doing their job in the defensive zone.

As we all expected the Rangers would not be so good this year. The Window has closed.

It's really the center position defensive coverage that is severely lacking. Wings stay high and cover the points while the center drops down low to support the defense.

The center and defensemen, on this team, are not doing their job in the defensive zone.
- MidnightMarauder

Yeah, I'm with you on Hayes. We need his size and he hasn't looked bad at all. Needs to work on his finish though.

As we all expected the Rangers would not be so good this year. The Window has closed.
- Barnaby36

ok

ok
- mdw7413

How's Stempniak doing? He's a good skater and great character.

Glass sucks. Great guy though.

As we all expected the Rangers would not be so good this year. The Window has closed.
- Barnaby36

Four games in? I suppose you feel the same way about Boston who has the exact same record as the Rangers through four games, right?

Or are you one of those people that just like to antagonize because you have little else to do with your day?

Yeah, I'm with you on Hayes. We need his size and he hasn't looked bad at all. Needs to work on his finish though.
- mdw7413

He has a lot of potential and I like his game overall. Don't see a reason why he would be taken out of the lineup. I can think of several players, on this team, that look a hell of a lot worse than he does right about now.

How's Stempniak doing? He's a good skater and great character.

Glass sucks. Great guy though.
- Barnaby36

Stempniak has been great. Glass is a 4th liner and really hasn't been great or bad. He is kind of just there.

He has a lot of potential and I like his game overall. Don't see a reason why he would be taken out of the lineup. I can think of several players, on this team, that look a hell of a lot worse than he does right about now.
- MidnightMarauder

Yup, wonder if AV is going to sit some of the regulars if they don't pick it up like he did at the beginning of last year. Although I think he is a little more limited this year with some of the injuries.

Yup, wonder if AV is going to sit some of the regulars if they don't pick it up like he did at the beginning of last year. Although I think he is a little more limited this year with some of the injuries.
- mdw7413

Hagelin or Glass can sit down a few games to get Miller back in there. The Stepan injury is really messing with this lineup but Vigneault allowing MSL to slot at center was not a good idea either.

He is not the same explosive player that he usually is; the center postion is not conducive to his game. Being a lifelong winer convert to center has neutralized his slash and dash approach thus rendering him not as effective.

Four games in? I supp ose you feel the same way about Boston who has the exact same record as the Rangers through four games, right?

Or are you one of those people that just like to antagonize because you have little else to do with your day?
- MidnightMarauder

Lol spot on.

But seriously you guys let the wrong Dman leave😕

The Rangers will have a lot Of trouble this year.

Stempniak is a good little player to have! Wish we had re-signed him.

Hagelin or Glass can sit down a few games to get Miller back in there. The Stepan injury is really messing with this lineup but Vigneault allowing MSL to slot at center was not a good idea either.

He is not the same explosive player that he usually is; the center postion is not conducive to his game. Being a lifelong winer covert to center has neutralize his slash and dash approach thus rendering him not as effective.
- MidnightMarauder

Yea, looked real good the 1st game, after that not so much. Have to give Miller another chance. I think with Miller, Hayes, Brassard & Moore it might work a little better than the results we have seen. I know AV doesnt seem to trust anyone to take that top center spot, but he has to use one of them before Stepan gets back. Its the only thing he hasnt tried yet, and it would seem to balance the lines out a little better without putting players in positions they are not comfortable with. Also would give more options to mix and match the wingers.

Lol spot on.

But seriously you guys let the wrong Dman leave😕

The Rangers will have a lot Of trouble this year.

Stempniak is a good little player to have! Wish we had re-signed him.
- Barnaby36

Meh, we will see. Saw the same crap with this team last year and it didn't turn out so bad. Plus our #1 center is out, and Boyle too. Lets wait a couple more games till everyone is healthy and see where the Rangers are then.

Lol spot on.

But seriously you guys let the wrong Dman leave😕

The Rangers will have a lot Of trouble this year.

Stempniak is a good little player to have! Wish we had re-signed him.
- Barnaby36

Stralman wasn't the glue that held the blueline together. He is a good player, not taking that away, but the Rangers have three solid defenders on the team in McDonagh, Girardi and Staal. All three have been atrocious lately but writing off any team, after four games, is insane. Are you writing off the Kings? They look pretty awful too; losing to two teams(Coyotes and Oilers) that likely are going to be in the race for a lottery pick. Aside from the Leafs contest, the Rangers have played three pretty good teams early on this season.

The fact they are playing without their top line center and their second pairing right side defender is playing a big role in this early season struggle.

Lol spot on.

But seriously you guys let the wrong Dman leave😕

The Rangers will have a lot Of trouble this year.

Stempniak is a good little player to have! Wish we had re-signed him.
- Barnaby36

The Stralman-Boyle debate will play out for the next two years at a minimum. We all liked Stralman and many of us wanted him back but that shipped has long sailed. Hard to compare to Boyle with Boyle not in the lineup. Plus, as.Midnight said, if the other D-men were doing what they are supposed to, the blue line would look a lot better.

Yea, looked real good the 1st game, after that not so much. Have to give Miller another chance. I think with Miller, Hayes, Brassard & Moore it might work a little better than the results we have seen. I know AV doesnt seem to trust anyone to take that top center spot, but he has to use one of them before Stepan gets back. Its the only thing he hasnt tried yet, and it would seem to balance the lines out a little better without putting players in positions they are not comfortable with. Also would give more options to mix and match the wingers.
- mdw7413

AV needs to put aside his stubborness and give Miller a chance. Really can't get anymore disorganized than how they are now, Miller needs to play.

The Stralman-Boyle debate will play out for the next two years at a minimum. We all liked Stralman and may of us wanted him back. Hard to compare to Boyle with Boyle not in the lineup.
- airjan23

Apparently Stralman's corsi numbers were so good, not only did they carry Staal but also McDonagh & Girardi.

Apparently Stralman's corsi numbers were so good, not only did they carry Staal but also McDonagh & Girardi.
- mdw7413

You are learning...advanced stats all the way.

Apparently Stralman's corsi numbers were so good, not only did they carry Staal but also McDonagh & Girardi.
- mdw7413

Screw the goalies, I hope Kreider run's Stralman when the Rangers play them

Screw the goalies, I hope Kreider run's Stralman when the Rangers play them
- TPC

Its getting absurd. Stralman is like a new Jesus.