Shakespeare's play put it best, as it is Much Ado About Nothing. The media has picked up on PK Subban's use of the word, "luck" in describing Henrik Lundqvist's play and run with it. Granted, they have use the full quote, which is the key to what he said, but in the immediate gratification, tidbit, short quote bit world we live in, that seems to have been tossed aside since the work luck just lends itself to a better story.
To make sure we all are on the same page, here are the full quotes from PK Subban:
“Sometimes the puck just doesn’t go in. In the past, we’ve done those same things and the puck’s gone in. So I mean, is (Lundqvist) playing well? Yeah, but we’re doing a good job. Some of it is luck, as well. He’s getting a little bit lucky, but that’s what you need in the playoffs....If we keep getting those looks, we’ll put some of them in the net. I shot a couple that were tipped and hit his shoulder and he didn’t even see it. We’re getting pucks to the net and bodies in front, we’re just not burying chances.…
The entire quote paints a while different picture from what's being discussed. Lundqvist himself has said in the past that he has been lucky. With any sporting or other event, there is luck. Look at some of the goals NY has or has not scored. Two diff events this post-season. On the first, open net behind goalie, Benoit Pouliot in front and it hits him. On another, it misses him and goes in. Is that skill or luck or a combination of both?
For Montreal, they did control play the other night especially early. If they start thinking or staying Hank is unbeatable, then they are psychologically beaten. That may not fully translate on the ice, but maybe you pass up a shot looking for the perfect one. Or you hesitate a brief millisecond because you don't think you can score because you are psyched out. So stating that part of it is luck is psychological as well, because it allows you to play and act rather than think when on the ice. In addition, even Michel Therrien said Lundqvist was "phenomenal" but that has been lost in the milieu of everything else that was said.
The SNYRangersblog had the following quote from Rangers assistant coach Ulf Samuelsson, who joined Macko and Cauz on TSN Drive on Tuesday morning. Their first comment was: Congrats on going back to NY 2-0.
“it’s very exciting to be up 2-0 but we know we are a little lucky to get the W with how Montreal came out last night in the first period.…
That word lucky comes up again, this time from the Rangers. Guess Subban wasn't the on,y one who thought that.
Going into a Game 3, Mrhatrick27 summed it up well:
This year alone, 3 teams that were up 2-0 lost the series. Another 3 teams, lost the next two games to squander their lead. 7 teams have been up 2-0 in their series and 6, SIX have gone on to either lose OR have their series tied up over the next two games. Only team to not blow their 2 game lead? You guessed it, MTL. This is why we need to have some nervous optimism and stop talking like we are in the finals already. It's also why we need to win tomorrow.
Not much more I can add there. The mindset needs to be win Game 3 and don't give Montreal any positive thoughts after the game or really good shot at winning the series.
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(Separately, I will do my best to get blogs up. My dad fortunately was moved from the hospital back to the rehab facility yesterday. Unfortunately, as my mom was leaving the hospital, she felt weak, came back into the hospital and collapsed, losing consciousness and requiring CPR and intubation. It looks as if she had a cardiac event and was moved to the ICU overnight. As of now, they believe there has not been any brain damage. I am at the hospital this morning and will keep you all updated).