This narrative is something someone that didn't watch the Rangers much, last season, would suggest.

The Rangers were solid in all facets of the game especially during the regular season.
- MidnightMarauder

I didn't say they were bad. They just weren't as great as they seemed. Today's game is all about puck possession and driving play into the offensive zone. Guys like Girardi and Staal aren't built to play that type of game. Guys like McDonagh, Yandle, Diaz and (hopefully) Skjei, Zamorsky and Andersson are. It's what gave the Islanders so much success this year. Their defense isn't great at actually defending, but they're good at possessing the puck and driving play up the ice.

Look at Chicago. Keith, Seabrook, Hjarlmarsson and Oduya as their top 4 all are very good skaters that possess the puck. That's what you need in today's game.

Yeah I am obviously not expecting the Islanders to win the Stanley Cup or the Rangers to fail to reach the playoffs. But I guess you never know.
- eichiefs9

I think the Islanders will be strong next year and have set themselves up to be competitive for sometime now.

Choosing the Isles to win was hardly the loudest prediction on this list.

I didn't say they were bad. They just weren't as great as they seemed. Today's game is all about puck possession and driving play into the offensive zone. Guys like Girardi and Staal aren't built to play that type of game. Guys like McDonagh, Yandle, Diaz and (hopefully) Skjei, Zamorsky and Andersson are. It's what gave the Islanders so much success this year. Their defense isn't great at actually defending, but they're good at possessing the puck and driving play up the ice.

Look at Chicago. Keith, Seabrook, Hjarlmarsson and Oduya as their top 4 all are very good skaters that possess the puck. That's what you need in today's game.
- GOODPLAYA20

I think Boychuk's steady stay-at-home presence played a major role in the Islanders success last year.

I didn't say they were bad. They just weren't as great as they seemed. Today's game is all about puck possession and driving play into the offensive zone. Guys like Girardi and Staal aren't built to play that type of game. Guys like McDonagh, Yandle, Diaz and (hopefully) Skjei, Zamorsky and Andersson are. It's what gave the Islanders so much success this year. Their defense isn't great at actually defending, but they're good at possessing the puck and driving play up the ice.

Look at Chicago. Keith, Seabrook, Hjarlmarsson and Oduya as their top 4 all are very good skaters that possess the puck. That's what you need in today's game.
- GOODPLAYA20

you realize the Rangers were better than the Islanders last year, and beat the team in the playoffs that the Islanders couldn't beat, right?

I think the Islanders will be strong next year and have set themselves up to be competitive for sometime now.

Choosing the Isles to win was hardly the loudest prediction on this list.
- MidnightMarauder

I'm just trying to have fun. Three are fifty six million hockey blogs and this is maybe - or at least i like to think - one of the few that are different. I basically just write the blog I want to read.

It's not like I'm doing this for the money or have any goal of working at TSN, so I just go with what's interesting to me at any given moment. I wish I was so calculating. I mean, come on, it's not like having the same five Rangers fans yell at me is turning me into a millionaire!

I think Boychuk's steady stay-at-home presence played a major role in the Islanders success last year.
- rangerdanger94

It did, but Boychuk was also capable of creating offense and driving play. There definitely needs to be a balance between the two types of players, I agree. But given the choice, I'd rather have a team full of puck possessing offense-drivers than a team of stay-at-home shot blockers. It's just the direction the league is going.

you realize the Rangers were better than the Islanders last year, and beat the team in the playoffs that the Islanders couldn't beat, right?
- jimbro83

Can I chalk it up to game 7s being a crapshoot?

Edit: That actually sounds worse than I meant it to. The point is, I don't think the way the playoffs went last year give the whole story about both teams.

What if you go O-fer?

It could possibly happen...like 96%

Why isn't Franson signed? You keep ducking that question...

I'm just trying to have fun. Three are fifty six million hockey blogs and this is maybe - or at least i like to think - one of the few that are different. I basically just write the blog I want to read.

It's not like I'm doing this for the money or have any goal of working at TSN, so I just go with what's interesting to me at any given moment. I wish I was so calculating. I mean, come on, it's not like having the same five Rangers fans yell at me is turning me into a millionaire!
- James_Tanner

It could be worse...you could be writing the same predictable crap that's written on the Hotstove. Talk about a blog that takes the easy way out.

Can I chalk it up to game 7s being a crapshoot?
- GOODPLAYA20

That and the Isles played that series without their best Dman

I didn't say they were bad. They just weren't as great as they seemed. Today's game is all about puck possession and driving play into the offensive zone. Guys like Girardi and Staal aren't built to play that type of game. Guys like McDonagh, Yandle, Diaz and (hopefully) Skjei, Zamorsky and Andersson are. It's what gave the Islanders so much success this year. Their defense isn't great at actually defending, but they're good at possessing the puck and driving play up the ice.

Look at Chicago. Keith, Seabrook, Hjarlmarsson and Oduya as their top 4 all are very good skaters that possess the puck. That's what you need in today's game.
- GOODPLAYA20

Rangers defense is not as mobile as others, around the league, but the combination of an above average defense, defensive minded forwards and a world class goaltender will allow them to always be in the upper echelon in the goals against category.

Washington's defense was one of the more immobile last season yet they gave the Rangers and the Islanders fits in the postseason. Just an example but being a good defensive team has a lot more to do than the six skaters designated as blueliners.

That and the Isles played that series without their best Dman
- Vukota

can you imagine Halak had not given up that silly last second goal in that game vs Philly and the Isles had game 7 vs the Caps at the Coliseum?

I'm just trying to have fun. Three are fifty six million hockey blogs and this is maybe - or at least i like to think - one of the few that are different. I basically just write the blog I want to read.

It's not like I'm doing this for the money or have any goal of working at TSN, so I just go with what's interesting to me at any given moment. I wish I was so calculating. I mean, come on, it's not like having the same five Rangers fans yell at me is turning me into a millionaire!
- James_Tanner

Exactly but when you do that you rile up the Psychopath's

can you imagine Halak had not given up that silly last second goal in that game vs Philly and the Isles had game 7 vs the Caps at the Coliseum?
- jimbro83

That and blowing the last game at home vs the Jackets and losing in a shootout

I'm just trying to have fun. Three are fifty six million hockey blogs and this is maybe - or at least i like to think - one of the few that are different. I basically just write the blog I want to read.

It's not like I'm doing this for the money or have any goal of working at TSN, so I just go with what's interesting to me at any given moment. I wish I was so calculating. I mean, come on, it's not like having the same five Rangers fans yell at me is turning me into a millionaire!
- James_Tanner

I have to admit I was entertained by this latest piece. You made things interesting here as of late and that deserves a tip of the cap to you, Ms. Corningstone.

I have to admit I was entertained by this latest piece. You made things interesting here as of late and that deserves a tip of the cap to you, Ms. Corningstone.
- MidnightMarauder

Rangers defense is not as mobile as others, around the league, but the combination of an above average defense, defensive minded forwards and a world class goaltender will allow them to always be in the upper echelon in the goals against category.

Washington's defense was one of the more immobile last season yet they gave the Rangers and the Islanders fits in the postseason. Just an example but being a good defensive team has a lot more to do than the six skaters designated as blueliners.
- MidnightMarauder

Agreed, but those stay-at-home types also need to be proficient at possessing the puck and keeping it out of their zone.

The point is that when the Rangers are as close as they are to winning the Stanley Cup, these tiny details become such a huge deal. These tiny little flaws they have can be the difference between hoisting the Cup and going home in mid-May.

Agreed, but those stay-at-home types also need to be proficient at possessing the puck and keeping it out of their zone.

The point is that when the Rangers are as close as they are to winning the Stanley Cup, these tiny details become such a huge deal. These tiny little flaws they have can be the difference between hoisting the Cup and going home in mid-May.
- GOODPLAYA20

been a long time since we went home mid-May

Why hasn't Franson signed yet?

For realzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzz.

Why hasn't Franson signed yet?

For realzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzz.
- Garnie

Why hasn't Franson signed yet?

For realzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzz.
- Garnie

My guess is the asking price is a probably too steep for most teams at this point or he doesn't want to sign with the sabres of the world

been a long time since we went home mid-May
- jimbro83

But, as we know, in sports things can change VERY quickly. For all we know, last year could be the last time the Rangers get that far for a long time. The dark ages of Glen Sather and friends wasn't all that long ago after all.

It'd be very stupid of the Rangers front office to just say "well we went deep a couple times now, we don't have to fix anything!" You should always be looking for a way to improve your team. Right now the weakest link on the team seems to be their defense.

Again, it's still better than a good chunk of d-cores in the league, but it's still something that could use improvement. Especially when it comes to shot suppression and puck possession.

Agreed, but those stay-at-home types also need to be proficient at possessing the puck and keeping it out of their zone.

The point is that when the Rangers are as close as they are to winning the Stanley Cup, these tiny details become such a huge deal. These tiny little flaws they have can be the difference between hoisting the Cup and going home in mid-May.
- GOODPLAYA20

Girardi has definitely shown decline the last two postseasons. The defense overall, especially if Skjei makes the team, will not be nearly as immobile as in the past.

The speed and defensive awareness of the forwards really make things easier on some of the Rangers slower defenders.

Girardi has definitely shown decline the last two postseasons. The defense overall, especially if Skjei makes the team, will not be nearly as immobile as in the past.

The speed and defensive awareness of the forwards really make things easier on some of the Rangers slower defenders.
- MidnightMarauder

Exactly, the Rangers forward depth is one of the best in the league, which is a big reason why they've been so successful. But how much better would they be if they didn't have to bail out their defensemen as much?

Exactly, the Rangers forward depth is one of the best in the league, which is a big reason why they've been so successful. But how much better would they be if they didn't have to bail out their defensemen as much?
- GOODPLAYA20

3rd best GAA in the league to first?