Hi folks,

With all due respect, maybe you ought to give the CBJ, especially the defense, some credit here. They kept the Blueshirts on the perimeter for a large part of the game, even when they had a lot of zone time in the CBJ end. They gave up very few rebounds, and used their sticks well to break up plays. Their hard work made it easy on our goalie to do his job, and he did really well.

The CBJ still has huge problems on offense, and we desperately need more scoring punch up front. Having Breadman on your team will cost us a playoff spot.

Remember that the game was 1-0 deep into the 3rd period because of a broken stick that led to a breakaway at the end of a penalty. That tells me both teams played great defense all night, and it could have easily been a 2-1 Rangers win instead of a 2-1 CBJ win.

Take two points from the Isles this week!

Your blog and your comments here shows a lack of understanding of hockey systems. Playing defense and when to back in and when to challenge aggressively is a read and react situation. On both goals, if the defenseman had stepped up aggressively at the blueline maybe he breaks up the play but that is a risky play with the situations. On both goals one pass with the defenseman stepping up aggressively would've resulted in a player in all alone on the goalie or a two on one. There is no such thing as a defensive system that requires defenseman to step up on every rush.

This is likely an opinion derived from an analytics mindset off of manually tracked zone entries. Leads to a lot of misunderstandings.
- MJL

I appreciate the comments and feedback, but can assure you, I have been watching hockey for a long time and have a pretty good understanding and feel of systems. I am far from a slave to analytics but conversant enough to know that they supplement not replace what we see on the ice. In this case, zone entry stats didn't not factor into my view. In addition, the Rangers system, like many, have the D up in the zone slightly too high, leaving the opposing forward sometimes unchecked or not marked close enough near the crease.

Yes, stepping up could have resulted in a player being all alone in front of the goalie. But in both instances, they backed off. That might be due to instinct or system; my guess is the latter. Regardless, both plays ended up with the puck in the net. if you want to argue that was the higher percentage play, that's fine, but end result matters here.

Take it easy on Jan, that was the first time he watched a Rangers game.
- Fenrir

You found me out

I appreciate the comments and feedback, but can assure you, I have been watching hockey for a long time and have a pretty good understanding and feel of systems. I am far from a slave to analytics but conversant enough to know that they supplement not replace what we see on the ice. In this case, zone entry stats didn't not factor into my view. In addition, the Rangers system, like many, have the D up in the zone slightly too high, leaving the opposing forward sometimes unchecked or not marked close enough near the crease.

Yes, stepping up could have resulted in a player being all alone in front of the goalie. But in both instances, they backed off. That might be due to instinct or system; my guess is the latter. Regardless, both plays ended up with the puck in the net. if you want to argue that was the higher percentage play, that's fine, but end result matters here.
- airjan23

Based on your blog, you can't assure me of that. You got it wrong on multiple fronts. The fact that you even attempted to blame the goals against on the system that the Rangers play, is direct evidence of your understanding of systems play. You don't even mention Panarin's horrific play on the first goal against.

The end results do matter but you've assigned the wrong blame on the plays and your analysis of both plays is incorrect in my opinion.

OMG! Will y'all leave Jan out of this! Its a blog with someones version of an awful ending. One that was created by the entire team, including coaching. The fact that everyone is still lining for hank to retire, waive his NMC and go away is just the most insane topics! HE'S NOT LEAVING! HE WOULD HAVE LEFT ALREADY IF HE WANTED TO GO! THIS IS HIS AND HIS FAMILIES HOME AND ALWASY WILL BE! SO STOP WITH THIS S#$%!
Also, this team is not making the playoffs, whether they won last night or not. Too many teams to climb and this team is still learning to play together, as a team, as a line, and as individuals. There needs to be some changes and that will happen in 5 weeks. Im not happy that Kreider will be gone. Not happy theres no money to sign everyone but thats just the way it is. I'd like to see a little more urgency in motivating the young guns, Chytil, Kappo, Howden, soon Kravitsov and start pressing more! Maybe move them around a little more to play with some more talented players. Maybe Chytil centering Panarin and Kappo. Just to see what could be.
Now unless someone in this blog has the ear of Jeff Gorton and JD, they're going to trade who they seem fit to trade. They don't read this site or any other and honestly dont give a S#$% what we all think. Just enjoy the game.
- rangerbluelou

via GIPHY

You found me out
- airjan23

Knew you were all about the numbers all along.

Based on your blog, you can't assure me of that. You got it wrong on multiple fronts. The fact that you even attempted to blame the goals against on the system that the Rangers play, is direct evidence of your understanding of systems play.

The end results do matter but you've assigned the wrong blame on the plays and your analysis of both plays is incorrect in my opinion.
- MJL

How do you call out Jan then say that?

via GIPHY

- Fenrir

Where is Jimbo when we need him

Where is Jimbo when we need him
- TPC

First bad game (and not even game, just bad end result really) in the last 5, shake it off and beat the Islanders again tomorrow night!

First bad game (and not even game, just bad end result really) in the last 5, shake it off and beat the Islanders again tomorrow night!
- B2B76

Law of averages says not happening

Law of averages says not happening
- Brukie

By that logic they shouldn't have beaten us like 8 times in a row in Brooklyn so maybe we're ok

By that logic they shouldn't have beaten us like 8 times in a row in Brooklyn so maybe we're ok
- B2B76

Last year was a rebuild year for us, the Piles were in pretend mode.

Last year was a rebuild year for us, the Piles were in pretend mode.
- Brukie

We have tomorrow night and then 1 toward the end of the season with them, if we just win 1 of those we win the season series for the first time in forever

maybe we can win the Metro challenge

Based on your blog, you can't assure me of that. You got it wrong on multiple fronts. The fact that you even attempted to blame the goals against on the system that the Rangers play, is direct evidence of your understanding of systems play. You don't even mention Panarin's horrific play on the first goal against.

The end results do matter but you've assigned the wrong blame on the plays and your analysis of both plays is incorrect in my opinion.
- MJL

The problem here is that DQ plays a system that has the defenseman back up early to collapse down low. One of the reasons we bleed so many shots. Even if they wanted to react quickly during game play to make the correct decision they wouldn’t have the time since of how they are told to he positioned

Based on your blog, you can't assure me of that. You got it wrong on multiple fronts. The fact that you even attempted to blame the goals against on the system that the Rangers play, is direct evidence of your understanding of systems play. You don't even mention Panarin's horrific play on the first goal against.

The end results do matter but you've assigned the wrong blame on the plays and your analysis of both plays is incorrect in my opinion.
- MJL

Yes, Panarin made a lousy play, not as bad as Fast, but bad nonetheless. We agree to disagree and I guess in your view, that should mean you don't anything about systems as well. Plus I guess the myriad of individuals who agree with my view are also incorrect and know nothing as well. In my view, we can agree to disagree, as multiple blame can be assigned. Appreciate the comments and feedback.

Knew you were all about the numbers all along.
- Fenrir

Utilize them, yes. View them as the end all and be all, no.

Yes, Panarin made a lousy play, not as bad as Fast, but bad nonetheless. We agree to disagree and I guess in your view, that should mean you don't anything about systems as well. Plus I guess the myriad of individuals who agree with my view are also incorrect and know nothing as well. In my view, we can agree to disagree, as multiple blame can be assigned. Appreciate the comments and feedback.
- airjan23

Your making a strawman argument. Playing defense is a read and react situation in any system. Anyone who doesn't understand that, doesn't understand systems. Here is the deal. Team play breaks down. A coach may prefer that their defenseman play aggressively at the blueline to break up plays. Hockey isn't played inside a bubble where every situation is static. If a defenseman doesn't have the team support than he can't step up and challenge at the blueline. I think anyone who agrees with your view that the system is to blame for those two goals is the same boat that you are. Looking at both goals, the defenseman are the least to blame on the plays.

On the first goal, Fast makes an ill-advised time place and score decision. Leading to transition offense for Columbus. You'll notice that Dubois purposefully skates the puck towards the center of the ice knowing that the creating that space will mean that the defenseman will have to back in. Strome makes a poke check breaking the puck loose and them proceeds to take a skate on an outside turn taking himself out of the play. Panarin has a clear chance to get the puck out of the zone. He fumbles it and overskates it and then goes on a Peggy Fleming skate preparing for a triple salkow I guess instead of stopping and starting and trying to defend. At that point, Bjorkstrand picks up the puck and takes a wrist shot that is a tough shot but not unstoppable. . The defenseman on the play there trying to block to shot is the least to blame.

The second goal is really a poor forechecking structure with 35 seconds left on the clock and a piss poor linechange by a forward leaving no neutral zone presence defensively and an easy line skate 3 on 2 into the zone for Columbus. There is no defenseman that would step up and challenge aggressively at the blueline on that play. That doesn't have squat to do with systems play. It has to do with poor execution.

Both goals were the result of poor decision making and poor forward defensive play and don't have a dam thing to do with systems.

Utilize them, yes. View them as the end all and be all, no.
- airjan23

Where can we find who/which line gives up the most shots/high percentage shots?

Your making a strawman argument. Playing defense is a read and react situation in any system. Anyone who doesn't understand that, doesn't understand systems. Here is the deal. Team play breaks down. A coach may prefer that their defenseman play aggressively at the blueline to break up plays. Hockey isn't played inside a bubble where every situation is static. If a defenseman doesn't have the team support than he can't step up and challenge at the blueline. I think anyone who agrees with your view that the system is to blame for those two goals is the same boat that you are. Looking at both goals, the defenseman are the least to blame on the plays.

On the first goal, Fast makes an ill-advised time place and score decision. Leading to transition offense for Columbus. You'll notice that Dubois purposefully skates the puck towards the center of the ice knowing that the creating that space will mean that the defenseman will have to back in. Strome makes a poke check breaking the puck loose and them proceeds to take a skate on an outside turn taking himself out of the play. Panarin has a clear chance to get the puck out of the zone. He fumbles it and overskates it and then goes on a Peggy Fleming skate preparing for a triple salkow I guess instead of stopping and starting and trying to defend. At that point, Bjorkstrand picks up the puck and takes a wrist shot that is a tough shot but not unstoppable. . The defenseman on the play there trying to block to shot is the least to blame.

The second goal is really a poor forechecking structure with 35 seconds left on the clock and a piss poor linechange by a forward leaving no neutral zone presence defensively and an easy line skate 3 on 2 into the zone for Columbus. There is no defenseman that would step up and challenge aggressively at the blueline on that play. That doesn't have squat to do with systems play. It has to do with poor execution.

Both goals were the result of poor decision making and poor forward defensive play and don't have a dam thing to do with systems.
- MJL

I haven’t even been able to decide whether or not I agree with you because of how you came out of the gate. You either intentionally come in here to be rude to the blogger or are genuinely an abrasive, off putting know it all. Everyone was respectfully disagreeing and sharing their insight. Then the chancellor of NHL defensive systems had to chime in :/

The second goal is really a poor forechecking structure with 35 seconds left on the clock and a piss poor linechange by a forward leaving no neutral zone presence defensively and an easy line skate 3 on 2 into the zone for Columbus. There is no defenseman that would step up and challenge aggressively at the blueline on that play. That doesn't have squat to do with systems play. It has to do with poor execution.

Both goals were the result of poor decision making and poor forward defensive play and don't have a dam thing to do with systems.
- MJL

Yes it was a bad line change. But as you said, there is no defense man that would have been aggressive, but yet you say it is poor execution. You are contradicting yourself.

Yes it was a bad line change. But as you said, there is no defense man that would have been aggressive, but yet you say it is poor execution. You are contradicting yourself.
- Brukie

There is no contradiction. Defense is team play involving all 5 skaters on the ice. The poor execution comes in with poor decision making, poor spacing on the forecheck and poor forward defensive play. I alluded to all of this in my posts.

I haven’t even been able to decide whether or not I agree with you because of how you came out of the gate. You either intentionally come in here to be rude to the blogger or are genuinely an abrasive, off putting know it all. Everyone was respectfully disagreeing and sharing their insight. Then the chancellor of NHL defensive systems had to chime in :/
- picklerick

Nothing rude or abrasive in any of my posts. Simply direct. It was about as bad a piece of analysis as I've seen. Goes against everything fundamental.

There is no contradiction. Defense is team play involving all 5 skaters on the ice. The poor execution comes in with poor decision making, poor spacing on the forecheck and poor forward defensive play. I alluded to all of this in my posts.
- MJL

This is all true, but Quinn’s system puts players in bad spots a lot of times. Maybe not on these two goals but his systems makes good defenseman look poor. See pionk in winni.

Regardless Jan is very objective and great to converse with on the site.

Nothing rude or abrasive in any of my posts. Simply direct. It was about as bad a piece of analysis as I've seen. Goes against everything fundamental.
- MJL

Ok I think it's time for this to die a proper death, points have been made multiple times back & forth, let's move on...so how about them Knicks?