Congrats on getting Neal Speonk. If you oversleep on the LIRR on the way home from MSG you will end up at him.

What are you missing with Staal getting knocked off every puck and skaters blowing by him like he is stuck in syrup, don't get me started on having the physical strength of wet one ply toilet paper.
- mdw7413

At the end of the day, if you gave me the choice of wiping one of them off the Rangers roster, I would choose the guy making $5.5 million plus per, rather than the guy making $4 million less than that. Staal is going to be a problem going forward.

Dude, Staal wasn't the one that pinched or broke his stick only play tiddlywinks in the crease prior to Plekanecs goal. What are you missing with him
- Slimtj100

That pinch was the last straw for me. And I know it's not the first time, but my God, it's OT, you have no one to back you up and you charge in on a puck that you don't get within 5 feet of before the defender chips it past you for a 2 on 1?!?!?!?

p.s. - Staal looks bad too. You're both right!!

At the end of the day, if you gave me the choice of wiping one of them off the Rangers roster, I would choose the guy making $5.5 million plus per, rather than the guy making $4 million less than that. Staal is going to be a problem going forward.
- Pete V

Exactly. Even if they are the same in awfulness, one guy helps being here way more than the other from a financial standpoint.

That pinch was the last straw for me. And I know it's not the first time, but my God, it's OT, you have no one to back you up and you charge in on a puck that you don't get within 5 feet of before the defender chips it past you for a 2 on 1?!?!?!?

p.s. - Staal looks bad too. You're both right!!
- Tonybere

The bigger issue to me on that play is where the pinch was. You are on half-boards, midway down. Even if you get to puck and stop it, then what? It's a high-risk, low-reward situation. If you are further down the boards deep, maybe, because it gives the forwards the ability to slide up or cover for you. If up high near blue line, maybe, since you likely have support. where Holden was, he was in no-man's land.

What are you missing with Staal getting knocked off every puck and skaters blowing by him like he is stuck in syrup, don't get me started on having the physical strength of wet one ply toilet paper.
- mdw7413

I said Staal sucks. Anyone that doesn't see holden as an issue idk what to tell you. Holden is dorectly responsible for the two worst goals so far.

The lower bowl is where teams fans really show, and the noise really shows. Our lower bowl is flat out awful. You'll see Justin Tuck and Mike Franscesa there, and those two don't know a hockey puck from a god damn ring ding
- Slimtj100

Toronto is awful as well... I feel for their fans. Okay, well not really. This series isn't over by a long shot, so chin up. I'll be honest, even if the SENS were to fold up like a cheap suit in this round, they've far exceeded my expectations as a SENS fan. But here's to hoping they don't...

I said Staal sucks. Anyone that doesn't see holden as an issue idk what to tell you. Holden is dorectly responsible for the two worst goals so far.
- Slimtj100

The point being

Staal 30 years old(plays like 50 years old) 10points 5.7 mill cap

Holden 29 34points 1.6 cap hit

I said Staal sucks. Anyone that doesn't see holden as an issue idk what to tell you. Holden is dorectly responsible for the two worst goals so far.
- Slimtj100

I see both of those guys playing so much, and at key times, as an issue. It's amazing how much they are out there at money times of the game. All I keeping saying to myself is "Holden and Staal again?!"

At the end of the day, if you gave me the choice of wiping one of them off the Rangers roster, I would choose the guy making $5.5 million plus per, rather than the guy making $4 million less than that. Staal is going to be a problem going forward.
- Pete V

I'd prefer niether lol

I see both of those guys playing so much, and at key times, as an issue. It's amazing how much they are out there at money times of the game. All I keeping saying to myself is "Holden and Staal again?!"
- Pete V

Yup, realistically, they should both be the 3rd pairing. How Skjei doesn't get the 2nd most minutes behind McDonagh is a travesty.

I see both of those guys playing so much, and at key times, as an issue. It's amazing how much they are out there at money times of the game. All I keeping saying to myself is "Holden and Staal again?!"
- Pete V

It's s def on coaching playing these two to much, let alone a pair

I see both of those guys playing so much, and at key times, as an issue. It's amazing how much they are out there at money times of the game. All I keeping saying to myself is "Holden and Staal again?!"
- Pete V

Staple the guy that scored 2 goals and was defensively solid (and his partner) to the bench and gamble with the worst D pair we have.
Makes sense.

Yup, realistically, they should both be the 3rd pairing. How Skjei doesn't get the 2nd most minutes behind McDonagh is a travesty.
- mdw7413

- JRR1285

I like the guy as a coach, but that last game has put a real dent in that confidence.

Also why was Buch and Lindberg pretty much benched?

we can all agree that when it comes to the defense, AV is an idiot lol

I like the guy as a coach, but that last game has put a real dent in that confidence.

Also why was Buch and Lindberg pretty much benched?
- mdw7413

I was pretty positive about him as coach for a long time too. But I just feel like there is just an element or something missing from his approach.

His trust and continued attempts at letting certain veterans or favorites "redeem" themselves is getting old.

I like the guy as a coach, but that last game has put a real dent in that confidence.

Also why was Buch and Lindberg pretty much benched?
- mdw7413

I understand Buch when you a playing with a lead. I think there is some rationale to not playing a rookie that doesn't have a lot of game experience under his belt in key minutes in the third period protecting a lead. I don't understand Lindberg at all.

I understand Buch when you a playing with a lead. I think there is some rationale to not playing a rookie that doesn't have a lot of game experience under his belt in key minutes in the third period protecting a lead. I don't understand Lindberg at all.
- Pete V

Sure, but the games against Montreal and Ottawa he actually was playing very good defensively. Made some really nice plays on the back check. Oh well, doesn't matter now but would have been nice to see Buch and Lindbergs rested wheels in OT

I understand Buch when you a playing with a lead. I think there is some rationale to not playing a rookie that doesn't have a lot of game experience under his belt in key minutes in the third period protecting a lead. I don't understand Lindberg at all.
- Pete V

I get what you're saying. But, this wasn't simply protecting a lead in the third. He played about 6 minutes in an 82 minute game!!

I get what you're saying. But, this wasn't simply protecting a lead in the third. He played about 6 minutes in an 82 minute game!!
- Tonybere

I am not saying that he shouldn't have played more. I agree with you guys.

But, if AV played Smith and Skjei and Staal and Holden appropriately, I wouldn't have given too poops about Buch not getting big minutes.

All year I've been saying I can't stand AV and now ppl are seeing why. Get rid of him(unlikely), Stepan and a few others. Bring in some guys that play with some fire.

I am not saying that he shouldn't have played more. I agree with you guys.

But, if AV played Smith and Skjei and Staal and Holden appropriately, I wouldn't have given too poops about Buch not getting big minutes.
- Pete V

I can see that point, too. Because if he had played the defensive pairings appropriately, the final would have been 5-3, or 5-4 at worst!!

I can see that point, too. Because if he had played the defensive pairings appropriately, the final would have been 5-3, or 5-4 at worst!!
- Tonybere

And nobody would give a hoot about Lindberg and Buch's ice time. Winning is everything at this time of year. You win, people don't care about anything else. You lose, they'll second guess you to high hell.

That's the realities of the coaching profession.

And nobody would give a hoot about Lindberg and Buch's ice time. Winning is everything at this time of year. You win, people don't care about anything else. You lose, they'll second guess you to high hell.

That's the realities of the coaching profession.
- Pete V