Jan Levine: Game 18: NYR-EDM, Hello McDavid, Rangers finish 13 of first 18 games at MSG Looking for six in a row

Smith seriously needs to return and be on Mac's Right side. The Bergeron goal was simply pathetic. Holden & Mac draped over the guy and he still has enough movement to put his stick on the puck. DD & Paul Carey both need to sit. Bring up Letteri and let him center Vesey & Miller. Or have Miller center nash & Zuc and Hayes can center Letteri and Vesey. Nieves needs to stay with Grabner and Fast and let them shadow Mcdavid and Draisital line.

Zib, Kreider, Buchnevich
Hayes Nash, Zuc
Letteri, Vesey, Miller
Nieves, Grabner, Fast

Mac, Smith
Skjea, Shatty.
Staal, Kampfer

LGR!!!!!

Don LaGreca on his Game Misconduct podcast said that Smith came to camp out of shape and is working his way back

if that's true,

if that's true,
- NYRangers1124

He looked it. Flopping all over the ice, couldn't keep up. If thats true its also (frank)ed up cause he just signed a pretty good deal.

Haven't followed the Pack this year. Chytil doing as well as Jan wrote? Think he gets another shot in a month or 2 if someone goes down?

Smith seriously needs to return and be on Mac's Right side. The Bergeron goal was simply pathetic. Holden & Mac draped over the guy and he still has enough movement to put his stick on the puck. DD & Paul Carey both need to sit. Bring up Letteri and let him center Vesey & Miller. Or have Miller center nash & Zuc and Hayes can center Letteri and Vesey. Nieves needs to stay with Grabner and Fast and let them shadow Mcdavid and Draisital line.

Zib, Kreider, Buchnevich
Hayes Nash, Zuc
Letteri, Vesey, Miller
Nieves, Grabner, Fast

Mac, Smith
Skjea, Shatty.
Staal, Kampfer

LGR!!!!!
- rangerbluelou

That Bergeron goal was atrocious! 2 guys on him and he still scores.

He looked it. Flopping all over the ice, couldn't keep up. If thats true its also (frank)ed up cause he just signed a pretty good deal.
- mdw7413

Wouldn't you want to come into camp in top shape after signing that contract to prove it was deserved?

Wouldn't you want to come into camp in top shape after signing that contract to prove it was deserved?
- Fenrir

Yup.

On a side note I bet DD poisoned Boo's food. He saw the writing on the wall

Get Holden out and put Smith in ASAP. No excuses. No BS. Just do it.

That Bergeron goal was atrocious! 2 guys on him and he still scores.
- Fenrir

Couple of pansies on D...what else is expected there. Need that nasty side of Brendan Smith back.

Wouldn't you want to come into camp in top shape after signing that contract to prove it was deserved?
- Fenrir

We talking about Pavel Brendl again? That fat toad...

Get Holden out and put Smith in ASAP. No excuses. No BS. Just do it.
- mames11

I'm of the mind you keep the team the same as long as the streak lasts.

I didnt notice how poopty Hayes stats have been last 8 games 1 point

I'm of the mind you keep the team the same as long as the streak lasts.
- mdw7413

Make small changes to tweek the weak spots. The McD and Holden duo has been that lately.

I am almost skeptical to say that maybe it's McD that needs to come out. Shatty, Smith, now Holden...each not looking their best with McD. Staal did ok, but hate to say it, Staal held that combo together. Perhaps McD is the weak link there on D.

Just food for thought; though, we all suspect this is true.

I'm of the mind you keep the team the same as long as the streak lasts.
- mdw7413

mindblowing stuff man

I didnt notice how poopty Hayes stats have been last 8 games 1 point
- mrn22

He's too busy shutting down the other teams best line, so our 1st line gets easier matchups

I'm of the mind you keep the team the same as long as the streak lasts.
- mdw7413

Yup, I am a believer in that as well. And if we are being honest, Smith has been terrible. He's going to have to wait until there is a logical time for him to get back in, IMO, which isn't in the middle of a long win streak.

Yup, I am a believer in that as well. And if we are being honest, Smith has been terrible. He's going to have to wait until there is a logical time for him to get back in, IMO, which isn't in the middle of a long win streak.
- Pete V

Exactly. I know he signed the contract and everyone wants him back in the lineup, but he has been by far our worst defenseman and its not even close.

Make small changes to tweek the weak spots. The McD and Holden duo has been that lately.

I am almost skeptical to say that maybe it's McD that needs to come out. Shatty, Smith, now Holden...each not looking their best with McD. Staal did ok, but hate to say it, Staal held that combo together. Perhaps McD is the weak link there on D.

Just food for thought; though, we all suspect this is true.
- mames11

Think McDonagh has been much better of late. I also think what PeteV said awhile ago is probably true. He was so comfortable with Girardi, they played together for so long. It has to be a little weird after your partner for years, who you know exactly how he plays, is gone.

He's too busy shutting down the other teams best line, so our 1st line gets easier matchups
- mdw7413

Well that would explain why he doesn’t wear a full visor. That ugly mug would throw me off my A game too.

Well that would explain why he doesn’t wear a full visor. That ugly mug would throw me off my A game too.
- Wildschwein

Whats up Schweiner?!

Whats up Schweiner?!
- mdw7413

Sweet bugger all MDW. Yourself?

Well that would explain why he doesn’t wear a full visor. That ugly mug would throw me off my A game too.
- Wildschwein

His face looks like someone half-froze a large mass of vanilla pudding and shoved it into a helmet

Sweet bugger all MDW. Yourself?
- Wildschwein

Not much new, just keeping busy. Can't wait for the Rangers to extend their streak to 6 this Sat.

His face looks like someone half-froze a large mass of vanilla pudding and shoved it into a helmet
- eichiefs9

This is 100% accurate.