Then this

http://www.thehockeynews....ouis-made-a-huge-mistake/

people can't wait to kick us when we're down

Glen we're missing 1 player now and Tampa was missing Hedman, there is no reason for this team to have to take 3 months to get it together again, this isn't a new coach, this is not the same situation as last season, after the finals were over we were supposed to be the team to finally be a power, to contend for the division while Pittsburgh took a step back, has that happened? Nope instead we are arguably 5th best in the division, Sather did a horrible job of patching what we let go and now what, no 1st rounder, two 38 yr olds who won't be around for a regroup, wasting another year of Hank's career who will 33 to start next season, to be kind this is a nightmare
- HankdaTank

To me the issue with this team is effort and passion. Very few play with it night in and night out. You can't win if you get out worked every game. I can deal with losses, but not losses like last night and against Edmonton.

Then this

http://www.thehockeynews....ouis-made-a-huge-mistake/

people can't wait to kick us when we're down
- HankdaTank

It's shock journalism, they're just trying to garner hits. Kind of like hockeybuzz

To me the issue with this team is effort and passion. Very few play with it night in and night out. You can't win if you get out worked every game. I can deal with losses, but not losses like last night and against Edmonton.
- TPC

Yup, don't want to blow the team up. Just want to see the team play consistently like they give a damn.

Yup, don't want to blow the team up. Just want to see the team play consistently like they give a damn.
- mdw7413

Yea, the skill is there. Carp said it best last night that to many players away from the puck are only going at 3/4 speed all game. Makes it real hard to establish a forcheck and win 1 on 1 battles like that. You would hope the leadership group wouldn't allow this type of effort but this isn't the first time we have seen it all season. That is what alarms me. Yea it is only November but this team has some bad habits.

Another big thing is not being able to roll 4 lines. That was their staple to success last year. I was only half joking when I said call up JT Miller or Lindberg or something and try to create 4 scoring lines. It can't be any worse at this point.

We don't have an Avery/Prust/Dorsett etc that can bring that energy with a big hit or a big hustle play or drop the gloves or create a scoring chance or just fly to every puck on their shift to change momentum. Glass is a plug out there and by no means am I putting our mediocre start on a 4th line player but we're missing a guy like one of those mentioned above. Not only did those guys do all the things mentioned above but they added SOME offense. Our top 3 lines also lack some nastiness to them and I think we make it easy for other teams to play against. Nash Brass MSL Stepan Kreider Zucc Hayes Hags Duclair. All 9 are not overly physical and certainly don't intimidate anyone except maybe Kreider when you go after his boy.
Remember the difference in energy once we acquired Avery? We need that type of player again.

recap blog up

Ok first things first step away from the ledge. I watch as much hockey as anyone here, any game from anywhere, and I have watched a lot of Tampa, they are a machine. Don't base your season on last night, you still have a ton of talent on this club, I as a fan of your hated enemy hope that a loss like this one does not wake you guys up. Something did it last year, we all know that, is it a different team...yes and maybe a character guy is needed, but you don't blow up a stanley cup finalist after less then 20 games of the following season. Sometimes its fun to kick at you guys, but last night you simply ran into one of the best 3 or 4 teams in the league playing at a ridiculous level. I am sure as a squad they wanted to give the ex rangers a night, it showed, the key games are how you handle Philly and Buffalo and the first long road trip. Anyway I kinda would like a playoff series with you guys, then no mercy!

The Rangers are built on the notion that as Lundqvist goes, so the Rangers. It's the main reason they went to the finals last year, and attributing to the reason they are struggling this year. When Hank's spectacular they win, when he's just good they lose. God forbid he's bad. It can make for some pretty boring hockey.

The Rangers are built on the notion that as Lundqvist goes, so the Rangers. It's the main reason they went to the finals last year, and attributing to the reason they are struggling this year. When Hank's spectacular they win, when he's just good they lose. God forbid he's bad. It can make for some pretty boring hockey.
- OLDSCHOOL#6

The Rangers are built on the notion that as Lundqvist goes, so the Rangers. It's the main reason they went to the finals last year, and attributing to the reason they are struggling this year. When Hank's spectacular they win, when he's just good they lose. God forbid he's bad. It can make for some pretty boring hockey.
- OLDSCHOOL#6

agreed, but there have been plenty of teams built from the net out.
-
I think the organizational identity is actually to blame, more-so than the team itself. every year there is a level of turnover and the replacement players just don't mesh as well as the players they have replaced. Add in some key injuries and Lundqvist requiring a 10 game cushion to get into "mid-season" form, and you have a .500 club 20 or so games into the season.
This team is not as different as it was after going to the ECF a few seasons ago, and the core of this team is same core that has played in 9 of a possible 12 playoff series over the last 3 seasons. Only LA has played more. That said, I'm not going to worry so much right now, but I would be lying if the inconsistencies on display didn't piss me off.