Jan Levine: Game 4: NYI 6 NYR 3, Implosion and My 10 Thoughts on the Loss Third straight ugly defeat

this shows how much we need stepan, the guy slows every other top center down, and please play miller again, the whole team looks like crap so give the young guy a chance

4 games in and already this team is effecting my sleep, while I'd like to stay calm I can't get the taste of that game out of my mouth, no way after 40 that Isles had any business scoring 5 straight, that better be the low point of the season or I swear we are going to miss the playoffs, see ya Thursday, I'm staying under the sheets today

hey guys, been on vacation, hadn't seen any games since opening night, got home in time to watch that last night.

I think I'll go back on vacation.

hey guys, been on vacation, hadn't seen any games since opening night, got home in time to watch that last night.

I think I'll go back on vacation.
- jimbro83

Well that sucks, we needed you and Glen to slap us in the face and tell us to sit still

Well that sucks, we needed you and Glen to slap us in the face and tell us to sit still
- HankdaTank

I think last year's start should make us aware that we shouldn't jump off the bridge that quickly.

All the defensemen were horrible last night, including the new captain. I put that loss last night squarely on that group, not just #4, who should not be in the NHL.

I think a lot of the forwards looked good. Hayes looked great, Duclair looked good, Nash is a new man.

Zuccarello was absolutely invisible. the 4th line was atrocious, but other than that, I think the forwards played well. All on the D last night.

I think last year's start should make us aware that we shouldn't jump off the bridge that quickly.

All the defensemen were horrible last night, including the new captain. I put that loss last night squarely on that group, not just #4, who should not be in the NHL.

I think a lot of the forwards looked good. Hayes looked great, Duclair looked good, Nash is a new man.

Zuccarello was absolutely invisible. the 4th line was atrocious, but other than that, I think the forwards played well. All on the D last night.
- jimbro83

Definitely a group effort but if Kostka doesn't gift wrap the 2nd and 3rd goal we don't implode, for 40 minutes they took it to them, I expect a blow out Thursday, never a better time to take out your frustrations on bad than now

I think last year's start should make us aware that we shouldn't jump off the bridge that quickly.

All the defensemen were horrible last night, including the new captain. I put that loss last night squarely on that group, not just #4, who should not be in the NHL.

I think a lot of the forwards looked good. Hayes looked great, Duclair looked good, Nash is a new man.

Zuccarello was absolutely invisible. the 4th line was atrocious, but other than that, I think the forwards played well. All on the D last night.
- jimbro83

I know its been only 3 games for him but he has been invisible most of the them, minus that fight with Oshie. If it continues I wonder if that "long term deal" he and the Rangers supposedly have is still on the table. I think he will be fine and break out of it, but just throwing it out there

I know its been only 3 games for him but he has been invisible most of the them, minus that fight with Oshie. If it continues I wonder if that "long term deal" he and the Rangers supposedly have is still on the table. I think he will be fine and break out of it, but just throwing it out there
- TPC

this team needs Stepan, there just no question about it. Once he's back the lines are going to make more sense. Marty will go back on the wing, and Zuccarello will settle in.

The trick is going to be getting to be a .500 team until Stepan and Boyle are healthy.

this team needs Stepan, there just no question about it. Once he's back the lines are going to make more sense. Marty will go back on the wing, and Zuccarello will settle in.

The trick is going to be getting to be a .500 team until Stepan and Boyle are healthy.
- jimbro83

Yea I was hoping to have a little breathing room this year, didn't want to have to gut out every win in March and April. But with the way the start is going, looks like they are headed back in that direction again.

this team needs Stepan, there just no question about it. Once he's back the lines are going to make more sense. Marty will go back on the wing, and Zuccarello will settle in.

The trick is going to be getting to be a .500 team until Stepan and Boyle are healthy.
- jimbro83

Also I blame the Rangers play on your vacation...odd once you leave they shyt the bed

Also I blame the Rangers play on your vacation...odd once you leave they shyt the bed
- TPC

crazy because I was on vacation same time last year when they had those blowout losses in San Jose and Anaheim.

The better right the ship tomorrow or this will get ugly quickly.

crazy because I was on vacation same time last year when they had those blowout losses in San Jose and Anaheim.

The better right the ship tomorrow or this will get ugly quickly.
- jimbro83

Yea they can't lose to Carolina at home.

Also for next year, plan the vacation in September

I think last year's start should make us aware that we shouldn't jump off the bridge that quickly.

All the defensemen were horrible last night, including the new captain. I put that loss last night squarely on that group, not just #4, who should not be in the NHL.

I think a lot of the forwards looked good. Hayes looked great, Duclair looked good, Nash is a new man.

Zuccarello was absolutely invisible. the 4th line was atrocious, but other than that, I think the forwards played well. All on the D last night.
- jimbro83

Great point on Zucc, meant to include that. Hope he isn't pressing to prove he warrants that long term deal. We saw that happen enough the past two years.

As much as I was yelling at the TV that Kostka should have sat after the first turnover let alone the second, the power play needs to come through with at least one goal. Again credit Halak there for sure.

I will say this though, even though Kreider didn't have a great game I really liked that line with Brass and Stempniak. If Krieder is on his game more using his speed and strength, and they get the chance to form some chemistry I think it could really work well. I also would like to see Hags Hayes and Zucc stay together for a bit, I think something could be there also.

The D will bounce back. We have 5 very good to solid players there's no way this continues. Hank needs to bounce back faster then last year though. I agree with Jan about Talbot. I haven't liked what I've seen out of him since the playoffs. Not sure if he has the same magic he had last year.

As much as I was yelling at the TV that Kostka should have sat after the first turnover let alone the second, the power play needs to come through with at least one goal. Again credit Halak there for sure.

I will say this though, even though Kreider didn't have a great game I really liked that line with Brass and Stempniak. If Krieder is on his game more using his speed and strength, and they get the chance to form some chemistry I think it could really work well. I also would like to see Hags Hayes and Zucc stay together for a bit, I think something could be there also.

The D will bounce back. We have 5 very good to solid players there's no way this continues. Hank needs to bounce back faster then last year though. I agree with Jan about Talbot. I haven't liked what I've seen out of him since the playoffs. Not sure if he has the same magic he had last year.
- AmazingSav

Talbot actually has expectations now, wondering if that is weighing on him more. Last year he was an unknown, who had no pressure on him really. Now he is a UFA at the end of the year and knows he needs to have a big year to earn another contract or have a chance to start for another team next year.

I do love how on the powerplay they have Duclair waiting in the slot for the one timers. I got a feeling with this kid, once he gets 1 goal they are going to start pouring in. Look out, we may have a Calder finalist in our hands

Talbot actually has expectations now, wondering if that is weighing on him more. Last year he was an unknown, who had no pressure on him really. Now he is a UFA at the end of the year and knows he needs to have a big year to earn another contract or have a chance to start for another team next year.
- TPC

True. However like I said he has struggled since the playoffs. Even though that was last year and those games were already out of control, he still wasn't making saves that he was during the season. That tells me that no matter what the situation is if there's any kind of pressure he cracks. If that's the case we will need a new back up next year. I hope not I really like Cam and his Ghostbusters helmet but just concerned about what I have seen from him.

I thought Malone played a very solid game and he definitely deserves to stay in the line up for now. I would like for JT to be reinserted, but I'm not sure where. Maybe rest Dom for a game, let him regroup after last years crazy run for him. I'm very concerned with Mac. I hope the "C" isn't making him press more than necessary. Even if he's "not ready" I'd like to see what Allen can do for us on the point next to Staal. From what I've seen he is a very similar player to Stralman, and that might be just what the doctor prescribed. We're only 15 days away from having this roster close to 100%(I say that very optimistically). Hang in there boys, it's a long season.

I thought Malone played a very solid game and he definitely deserves to stay in the line up for now. I would like for JT to be reinserted, but I'm not sure where. Maybe rest Dom for a game, let him regroup after last years crazy run for him. I'm very concerned with Mac. I hope the "C" isn't making him press more than necessary. Even if he's "not ready" I'd like to see what Allen can do for us on the point next to Staal. From what I've seen he is a very similar player to Stralman, and that might be just what the doctor prescribed. We're only 15 days away from having this roster close to 100%(I say that very optimistically). Hang in there boys, it's a long season.
- NashtyLight

I think Dan Boyle won't be back til Mid November

If Halak played goal like Hank... score 8-6 NYR...slow starts ,nothing new to HAnk...
last yr contract distractions ..this yr finals hangover ...playing at that highest level to now what Oct games are.....June seems far away either way u look... goin fwd its gonna be another grinding trek thru the 82 gm desert till we hit the oasis of playoff hockey again....
I cant seem to .....I D K 10 pt in 10 games we need 8 pts out of next 6 games
when i 1st heard that seemed like a no- brainer BUT... softer teams would be nice to build up to ,some coming around S J sunday ...
Intensity much improved : mistakes yes ,cover lapses yes BUT they're trying REAL hard
Lineup : causing the implosion of games.. not enough skill w/ experience out there Hayes ,will finish them...but he didnt ,same for the learning curve on all the rooks getting show time minutes ...keep the nose to the grind stone
MSL is not a match up for Taveres....or any top center ,we are sacrificing his game for ? put him back on wing And try the center 's we have .....
lines for fun J T nash MSL
Brass -Kreids Stemper( gotta love his grit game w/some speed)
Hayes zucc - Duclair
Moore -Malone FAst
sit down Hags & glass

whats gonna happen we lose worse than we have ... lets see what we have till Steps back BUT K .I. S .S. ...u know ,put em where they play and wind em up to
GO GO..... L G R !

Great point on Zucc, meant to include that. Hope he isn't pressing to prove he warrants that long term deal. We saw that happen enough the past two years.
- airjan23

I doubt he's anywhere near 100%, you know he's gonna do everything he can to be in the lineup, I like the new Brass line, maybe flip Zucc and the Duke

- mdw7413

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.