I know people want to make themselves feel better by just blaming it on Quinn's usage and Brett Howden, but I'd be lying if I didn't feel concerned about both Kakko and Lafreniere's lack of natural finishing ability.

More so Kakko though
- jimbro83

I (mostly) disagree.
I think you can see it in the release and the way they change the shooting angle that LAF and Kravy are consistent scorers. I think they are mostly having time and space issues on getting clean shots off. That will happen to pretty well everyone making the big jump to the NHL that isn't named McDavid or Matthews.
Kakko I agree on. Although, I think it's more about his style of play. He is turning into a possession monster. Once he gains confidence around the goal mouth, he should see a lot better stats. I see him like a John LeClair type.

I know people want to make themselves feel better by just blaming it on Quinn's usage and Brett Howden, but I'd be lying if I didn't feel concerned about both Kakko and Lafreniere's lack of natural finishing ability.

More so Kakko though
- jimbro83

Laf will be fine he has a good shot just think he’s been snake bitten a lot this year. Kakko has the worst release and shot on the team. Always makes that extra move. Once he gets the shot off quicker he’ll be fine. Kravtsov just needs to move up to blackwells spot bc he has all the tools already.

I know people want to make themselves feel better by just blaming it on Quinn's usage and Brett Howden, but I'd be lying if I didn't feel concerned about both Kakko and Lafreniere's lack of natural finishing ability.

More so Kakko though
- jimbro83

Way to early to worry about a 19 and 20yos finishing abilities.

The worry should be about DQ's ability to coach all the kids and and have them develop and take their skills to the next level!!

another thing, I think shootouts have killed the penalty shot

I dont ever feel like a guy will score on a penalty shot, I wasnt even remotely worried last night when the Flyers had one

Way to early to worry about a 19 and 20yos finishing abilities.

The worry should be about DQ's ability to coach all the kids and and have them develop and take their skills to the next level!!
- Brukie

Really?? This again?
Half the team are (frank)ing kids and we are seeing development right in front of our eyes!!!
Even while trying to come out of a rebuild, with a roster full of inexperience, Quinn is already 2/3 of the way up the list of most wins for NYR coaches.
There is as much evidence to support this view as there was about your stolen election.

another thing, I think shootouts have killed the penalty shot

I dont ever feel like a guy will score on a penalty shot, I wasnt even remotely worried last night when the Flyers had one
- jimbro83

Neither was Shesty!!

Zac Jones is a speedy little guy

he reminds me of Reijo Routsalanien from the little I saw of him last night

That miss by Kakko in front of the net was disheartening.

LAF however looks comfortable with the top line being the playmaker, which is more his game. I think as they gel more his shots will increase as the defense starts to favor one side of the ice or another depending on passing and position.

That miss by Kakko in front of the net was disheartening.

LAF however looks comfortable with the top line being the playmaker, which is more his game. I think as they gel more his shots will increase as the defense starts to favor one side of the ice or another depending on passing and position.
- aecliptic

That chance and Panarin's chance on the powerplay in the second period. Put that with Howden's miss and it's 4-0, even 2-0 if one of those goes in.

That chance and Panarin's chance on the powerplay in the second period. Put that with Howden's miss and it's 4-0, even 2-0 if one of those goes in.
- Rangers99

Yep. Disheartening is the perfect word. That is exactly how I felt at about 6-7 different times in the game.
Those misses around the net have happened to every single guy to play in the league, even Gretz and Lemieux (the good one). So, I'm not going to worry about the future over them. But, when they all happen in the same game you don't have to be Kreskin to know your chances are not good.

(For most of you: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Kreskin)

Really?? This again?
Half the team are (frank)ing kids and we are seeing development right in front of our eyes!!!
Even while trying to come out of a rebuild, with a roster full of inexperience, Quinn is already 2/3 of the way up the list of most wins for NYR coaches.
There is as much evidence to support this view as there was about your stolen election.
- Tonybere

You have your opinion, I have mine, its life you Richard.

Oh boy 2/3rds of the way up the list, is that like saying he is 18th all time in winning percentage???

That chance and Panarin's chance on the powerplay in the second period. Put that with Howden's miss and it's 4-0, even 2-0 if one of those goes in.
- Rangers99

When Panarin rips that shot at the end of the game from the point, how do you not think to yourself “what the fk man?!”. You had 58 minutes to do that and you wait til now?

You have your opinion, I have mine, its life you Richard.

Oh boy 2/3rds of the way up the list, is that like saying he is 18th all time in winning percentage???
- Brukie

My concern isnt so much developing the kids, but being able to make the mid game decisions. Like Im ok with starting Krav on the 4th to spread out the offense but at some point you gotta be like ok this kid is too good, and being down 3-1 you wait til theres 4mins left in the game to put him with Panarin? Come on.

When Panarin rips that shot at the end of the game from the point, how do you not think to yourself “what the fk man?!”. You had 58 minutes to do that and you wait til now?
- aecliptic

Forget about the kids for a moment......This team will not go anywhere until Zib, Strome, Panarin, Buch, and Kreider start raising their play/intensity in must win/big/playoff games

Zac Jones is a speedy little guy

he reminds me of Reijo Routsalanien from the little I saw of him last night
- jimbro83

I don't know Jimbo, watching him last night with his size and really small stick he looked like a midget out there. Not saying he won't succeed cause he clearly has speed and skill but man his size worries me, especially when Fox/Nils are smaller D men too.

Hope he proves me wrong and is a main stay in our top 6 d men.

Flyers starting someone named Alex Lyon in goal tonight

If we don't score 5 tonight I give up

I don't know Jimbo, watching him last night with his size and really small stick he looked like a midget out there. Not saying he won't succeed cause he clearly has speed and skill but man his size worries me, especially when Fox/Nils are smaller D men too.

Hope he proves me wrong and is a main stay in our top 6 d men.
- TPC

that was funny when Micheletti actually said he looks like he's 7 years old

that was funny when Micheletti actually said he looks like he's 7 years old

- jimbro83

It was the mini stick he was using I think played a big part in that.

Every time he went behind the net to tie someone up or check them he just bounced right off of them. Gonna need to add some muscle this summer lol

My concern isnt so much developing the kids, but being able to make the mid game decisions. Like Im ok with starting Krav on the 4th to spread out the offense but at some point you gotta be like ok this kid is too good, and being down 3-1 you wait til theres 4mins left in the game to put him with Panarin? Come on.
- aecliptic

His ability to get the team prepares worry me. Including last years Bubble, this team has come out flat way to many times, yes I know these are unusual times but every team has to deal with the situation, good teams rise to the occasion. Boston did just that. They had a streak where they looked like they were falling apart but they got back on track. After beating up on the Devils and finally having a winning streak, I thought this team might have had some confidence going into the Islanders game, but what a dud they had, you would think they would be on fire for the Flyer game then to lose to them last night was just as bad.

His ability to get the team prepares worry me. Including last years Bubble, this team has come out flat way to many times, yes I know these are unusual times but every team has to deal with the situation, good teams rise to the occasion. Boston did just that. They had a streak where they looked like they were falling apart but they got back on track. After beating up on the Devils and finally having a winning streak, I thought this team might have had some confidence going into the Islanders game, but what a dud they had, you would think they would be on fire for the Flyer game then to lose to them last night was just as bad.
- Brukie

I am sure Quinn prepares them for the games and that the players understand the importance of these games. They want to do well, and the effort is there for most games, but sometimes the execution is lacking when they need it the most

His ability to get the team prepares worry me. Including last years Bubble, this team has come out flat way to many times, yes I know these are unusual times but every team has to deal with the situation, good teams rise to the occasion. Boston did just that. They had a streak where they looked like they were falling apart but they got back on track. After beating up on the Devils and finally having a winning streak, I thought this team might have had some confidence going into the Islanders game, but what a dud they had, you would think they would be on fire for the Flyer game then to lose to them last night was just as bad.
- Brukie

This could very well be a tale of two sides of the Rangers. Solid enough to beat on lower and mid-level teams, but just not yet good enough to win the big games against upper level teams.
I think the information regarding Smith having more career NHL games than ALL of the other defensemen spells the truth here. The Rangers are just a very young inexperienced, yet talented team that needs more tweaking and time to compete with the big boys.

Also, maybe Quinn needs motivational speaking training.

It's easy to have instant reactions to this team. Leading up to the last two (must win) games, it looked like nothing could stop them. They were one of the hottest teams even before the 4-game set against NJ. After losing the last two games, the air has been deflated. The definition of hot and cold, fire and ice.

The variance in execution is too large and needs to be addressed. To continue growing, the team needs to either: A) Keep the top end level and raise the lows (difficult to do, but ideal) or B) Raise the floor at the expense of the ceiling. Adding grit, as it has been mentioned, will lean more towards option B but also might help with option A, while adding a big name player will help accomplish option A.

History as the compass, that variance should smooth out with maturity of the team. In other words, there's a natural option (option C) that is embedded in the future success of the team. That would involve staying the course. Can we (the fans) handle it though?

The playoffs were a long shot to start the season. The goal was to have meaningful games throughout the entire season. There's still a few games left to achieve the stretch goal, but I'd say this young team has done an admirable job of exceeding expectations on the core goal. Yet, with success it's fair to point out deficiencies and there certainly are some.

Can we go back and replay those early season games?

I don't know Jimbo, watching him last night with his size and really small stick he looked like a midget out there. Not saying he won't succeed cause he clearly has speed and skill but man his size worries me, especially when Fox/Nils are smaller D men too.

Hope he proves me wrong and is a main stay in our top 6 d men.
- TPC

He definitely needs bigger shoulder pads.

This could very well be a tale of two sides of the Rangers. Solid enough to beat on lower and mid-level teams, but just not yet good enough to win the big games against upper level teams.
I think the information regarding Smith having more career NHL games than ALL of the other defensemen spells the truth here. The Rangers are just a very young inexperienced, yet talented team that needs more tweaking and time to compete with the big boys.

Also, maybe Quinn needs motivational speaking training.
- NYRCeph

This is one of the youngest teams in the league. They are competing in arguably the hardest division in the league this season. There is no denying that they have talent. They have played 19 one goal games this year ---- they are 4-15 in those games! They are learning to win, it takes time. As they gain experience, they will win more of these contested, one goal games...

His ability to get the team prepares worry me. Including last years Bubble, this team has come out flat way to many times, yes I know these are unusual times but every team has to deal with the situation, good teams rise to the occasion. Boston did just that. They had a streak where they looked like they were falling apart but they got back on track. After beating up on the Devils and finally having a winning streak, I thought this team might have had some confidence going into the Islanders game, but what a dud they had, you would think they would be on fire for the Flyer game then to lose to them last night was just as bad.
- Brukie

Did Boston do that because of the coach or because of the Veterans on the team that stepped up? I'd say the Veterans