Jan Levine: Game 16: NYR 4 CMB 2, This Reunion Was a Good One, View on Pyatt Hit Rangers enjoy meeting with old friends, plus what to do about propensity for shots to the head

good blog Jan

I also think the 3rd period could also be explained by the fact of second game in two nights, on the road, after playing like maniacs in that 2nd period, and also Columbus playing desperate not wanting to lose a 5th in a row.

i really wasn't that annoyed by the 3rd period, to me it was a little expected

Good write-up Jan!
I've thought about the idea of linking suspension length to the severity of the injury and the amount of time missed. The problem I see with that is if players sit out longer from the injury to keep the suspended player from playing. It's probably not a problem. But you have to look at all situations. Let's say your superstar accidentally catches one of my scrub 4th liners with a head shot. I'm inclined to keep my scrub player out of the lineup longer to keep your superstar out of your lineup, especially if we are division rivals with games against each other in the near future. I just think it would cause more problems than it would fix. I definitely think there should be stricter penalties for headshots. Accidental or not, you have to be in control of your body. I understand the game is fast and physical, but hits to the head should not be occurring as often as they do. Make it a major penalty or an automatic 1 game suspension regardless of intent and you'll see them start to disappear.

Anyway, good game by the team last night. They seem to be getting their act together. Hopefully they can keep this rolling!

Rangers record of winning when leading after two periods is astounding. Something like 97 games in a row as was mentioned on the NHL broadcast last night. That Torts guy wasn't too shabby on conditioning and winning in the 3rd period.

I totally agree that malicious hits to the head should be addressed. I'm not talking about hockey plays that cross the line, but deliberate shots like Stuart on Nash and Scott on Ericsson should just go straight to a full season suspension. 2nd offense of that nature and you are banned from the league. It will stop quickly. Cooke and Kaleta would have been distant memories years ago.

In the mean time the Rangers could really use a solid heavyweight to punish these players in real time. A good old fashioned Bob Probert or Stu Grimson might deter some of these. Dorsett is not a heavyweight. Prust wasn't either, but he sure fought like one. McIlrath may fill the bill once he is ready to contribute with the rest of his game but it would be nice to have a solid 4th line forward who can contribute to the grinding game and bring the pain when necessary.

Rangers record of winning when leading after two periods is astounding. Something like 97 games in a row as was mentioned on the NHL broadcast last night. That Torts guy wasn't too shabby on conditioning and winning in the 3rd period.
- TJ

Now 92-0-6...one of the things we worried about with the change of coaching was the possible decline in conditioning, which could adversely impact that record and ability to grind teams down. Not that happy how they looked last night in terms of the conditioning, as the jelly legs were evident and that didn't use to be the case.

Good write-up Jan!
I've thought about the idea of linking suspension length to the severity of the injury and the amount of time missed. The problem I see with that is if players sit out longer from the injury to keep the suspended player from playing. It's probably not a problem. But you have to look at all situations. Let's say your superstar accidentally catches one of my scrub 4th liners with a head shot. I'm inclined to keep my scrub player out of the lineup longer to keep your superstar out of your lineup, especially if we are division rivals with games against each other in the near future. I just think it would cause more problems than it would fix. I definitely think there should be stricter penalties for headshots. Accidental or not, you have to be in control of your body. I understand the game is fast and physical, but hits to the head should not be occurring as often as they do. Make it a major penalty or an automatic 1 game suspension regardless of intent and you'll see them start to disappear.

Anyway, good game by the team last night. They seem to be getting their act together. Hopefully they can keep this rolling!
- gravey914

there is no perfect answer, but making the penalties more draconian with a clearer standard is a start

Rangers were the better team through two periods; in the third, the back to back symptom kicked in. But, they still held on and Talbot deserves the bulk of the credit.

The backup goaltending position looks steady once again and that's going to be huge. In an Olympic season, with the schedule condensed, having a good backup will make a big difference.

Hank is going to get 62-67 games and Talbot looks like he will up to the task for the remainder of the games.

The next three games, are spread out and are rather winnable, no letdowns are welcome here.

From the SNYRangersblog:
"Last night on the MSG Post Game show, Joe Micheletti said that last year, Benoit Allaire traveled to Hartford upwards of 40 times to work with Cam Talbot and help along his development.

Joe says that Allaire told Talbot that he was an excellent AHL goalie but that his style of play wouldn’t allow him to play and win consistently at the NHL level. They made changes to his style, Talbot worked on them all last year and as Joe notes, Talbot never looks like he is out of position.

Alain Vigneault mentioned last night, and has mentioned before, that it was Allaire who told him that Talbot was ready to be called up and for an increased role."

Why I love Allaire as our team's goalie coach and good for Talbot to take the suggestions and incorporate them in his game.

Jan - disagree with you saying the Devils are a winnable game. #1 - the Devils are 5-3-1 over their last 8, #2 - they utterly spanked the Rangers in their last game 4-0 and #3 - this is a huge rivalry game and records don't matter as both teams get up for each other. It will be another great game in the rivalry but is "Winnable" for both teams!

Jan - disagree with you saying the Devils are a winnable game. #1 - the Devils are 5-3-1 over their last 8, #2 - they utterly spanked the Rangers in their last game 4-0 and #3 - this is a huge rivalry game and records don't matter as both teams get up for each other. It will be another great game in the rivalry but is "Winnable" for both teams!
- Crushers68

It's still a winnable game even if the Devils are playing a bit better. It's not like we're going on the road to play Chicago or San Jose. Fact of the matter is the Devils, despite their recent improved play, haven't been very good much of the year. Playing them is always a challenge but "winnable" means a game that can be won. Are you saying the Rangers have no chance?

It's still a winnable game even if the Devils are playing a bit better. It's not like we're going on the road to play Chicago or San Jose. Fact of the matter is the Devils, despite their recent improved play, haven't been very good much of the year. Playing them is always a challenge but "winnable" means a game that can be won. Are you saying the Rangers have no chance?
- gkmkiller

No, I am just saying it is equally winnable for both sides

No, I am just saying it is equally winnable for both sides
- Crushers68

which makes it winnable for the rangers, proving jans point

good blog Jan

I also think the 3rd period could also be explained by the fact of second game in two nights, on the road, after playing like maniacs in that 2nd period, and also Columbus playing desperate not wanting to lose a 5th in a row.

i really wasn't that annoyed by the 3rd period, to me it was a little expected
- jimbro83

I agree with you. They didn't play a good third period, but in the second game of a back-to-back with travel in between, the third period didn't bother me at all. All I wanted last night was the two points, because I realized it would be a challenging game with all of the hockey they've played lately.

I think they played a good road game under the circumstances.

Let's hope they don't have a let down against the Panthers, because there have been some brutal losses against less than Panthers teams over the year. They really need to string a couple more wins together in a row, before the schedules gets a little more difficult.

I agree with you. They didn't play a good third period, but in the second game of a back-to-back with travel in between, the third period didn't bother me at all. All I wanted last night was the two points, because I realized it would be a challenging game with all of the hockey they've played lately.

I think they played a good road game under the circumstances.

Let's hope they don't have a let down against the Panthers, because there have been some brutal losses against less than Panthers teams over the year. They really need to string a couple more wins together in a row, before the schedules gets a little more difficult.
- Pete V

In Florida to face Gomez and Gilroy, the reunion tour continues

Jan - disagree with you saying the Devils are a winnable game. #1 - the Devils are 5-3-1 over their last 8, #2 - they utterly spanked the Rangers in their last game 4-0 and #3 - this is a huge rivalry game and records don't matter as both teams get up for each other. It will be another great game in the rivalry but is "Winnable" for both teams!
- Crushers68

we were missing Nash, Callahan and Hagelin, don't even compare Elias and whatever mediocre player was missing, it's not even close, we also didn't have Kreider, since that game we've become much more of a well oiled machine, the Devils were shut out back to back last week, I think at the Garden the Devils will get the smoking that's coming to them.

which makes it winnable for the rangers, proving jans point
- WayneY

You don't say that!

In Florida to face Gomez and Gilroy, the reunion tour continues
- jimbro83

Kind of strange to see all those ex-Rangers on the ice last night, all of whom were good Rangers.

Jan - disagree with you saying the Devils are a winnable game. #1 - the Devils are 5-3-1 over their last 8, #2 - they utterly spanked the Rangers in their last game 4-0 and #3 - this is a huge rivalry game and records don't matter as both teams get up for each other. It will be another great game in the rivalry but is "Winnable" for both teams!
- Crushers68

Point taken. Think the third point is most applicable, but I was basing it on how the Rangers are playing now compared to then.

Kind of strange to see all those ex-Rangers on the ice last night, all of whom were good Rangers.
- Pete V

Did anyone notice when they were showing the 5 goal game Gabby had against the Rangers he beat out Tyutin on the last goal?

Kind of strange to see all those ex-Rangers on the ice last night, all of whom were good Rangers.
- Pete V

yeah, great guys, I thought Dubinsky played liked a maniac

Dis anyone notice when they were showing the 5 goal game Gabby had against the Rangers he beat out Tyutin on the last goal?
- cranford93

I noticed that, I thought they would mention it

yeah, great guys, I thought Dubinsky played liked a maniac
- jimbro83

My feelings about Dubi are well know, still miss him here but understood he had to go

I agree with you. They didn't play a good third period, but in the second game of a back-to-back with travel in between, the third period didn't bother me at all. All I wanted last night was the two points, because I realized it would be a challenging game with all of the hockey they've played lately.

I think they played a good road game under the circumstances.

Let's hope they don't have a let down against the Panthers, because there have been some brutal losses against less than Panthers teams over the year. They really need to string a couple more wins together in a row, before the schedules gets a little more difficult.
- Pete V

After the start we saw, I heard people saying "Let's hope to get to .500 by Thanksgiving although by then we may be out of it." To be .500 after 16 games after the start we have has me very very happy.

My feelings about Dubi are well know, still miss him here but understood he had to go
- airjan23

how nice would it be to have his ability to win a faceoff added to this mix