Jan Levine: Game 16: NYR-DET, Zucc out with injury, Howden back in lineup
Rangers go for five in a row

I am calling 6 in a row.

I am calling 6 in a row.
- JRR1285

Lets not get ahead of ourselves

Lets not get ahead of ourselves
- mdw7413

I am already planning on how I will celebrate the 12th straight win

Lets not get ahead of ourselves
- mdw7413

Are you on the playoff train or not?

I am already planning on how I will celebrate the 12th straight win
- TPC

Jan --

As always, a solid preview. However, we are going to have to agree to disagree about Marc Staal.
We are in agreement about advanced metrics, I don't care for them either. My dislike for Staal comes from simply watching him play. I admire the fact that he continues to play despite the permanent eye injury, I really do. But the eye doesn't have anything to do with:
For a defenseman with his pedigree and vast experience in the NHL, he plays SOOO poorly in his positioning on the ice. I have seen him too many times simply wander to the wrong side of the ice or the end line for no good reason. Couple that with his lack of foot speed to recover or regain good position, he simply is too much of a liability on the ice.
Other than the shot that led to the Buch goal in the last game, when has he really contributed positively to the offense or even our transition game? All too often, he is a turnover machine. Offensively, he is too limited.
My only conclusion as to why he continues to play is because he must be a positive presence in the locker room. I am hoping that behind the scenes he is helping our young d-men adapt to the NHL. Quinn, a former defenseman himself, must see something that I do not...

Ok, rant over.

I am already planning on how I will celebrate the 12th straight win
- TPC

- JRR1285

You are Cybil

You are Cybil
- mdw7413

As one of the 6 people who will understand that reference, I was quite amused!

You are Cybil
- mdw7413

I don't get it, too young.

I don't get it, too young.
- JRR1285

I don't get it, too young.
- JRR1285

Google is your friend

As one of the 6 people who will understand that reference, I was quite amused!
- Tonybere

Google is your friend
- mdw7413

I kind of knew what you meant but I have never seen the show.

Spoons hasn’t showed me much. His game is soft. Good shot, but doesn’t get to use it. I think Beleskey is more deserving of an audition. Harder game. More upside.

Jan --

As always, a solid preview. However, we are going to have to agree to disagree about Marc Staal.
We are in agreement about advanced metrics, I don't care for them either. My dislike for Staal comes from simply watching him play. I admire the fact that he continues to play despite the permanent eye injury, I really do. But the eye doesn't have anything to do with:
For a defenseman with his pedigree and vast experience in the NHL, he plays SOOO poorly in his positioning on the ice. I have seen him too many times simply wander to the wrong side of the ice or the end line for no good reason. Couple that with his lack of foot speed to recover or regain good position, he simply is too much of a liability on the ice.
Other than the shot that led to the Buch goal in the last game, when has he really contributed positively to the offense or even our transition game? All too often, he is a turnover machine. Offensively, he is too limited.
My only conclusion as to why he continues to play is because he must be a positive presence in the locker room. I am hoping that behind the scenes he is helping our young d-men adapt to the NHL. Quinn, a former defenseman himself, must see something that I do not...

Ok, rant over.
- TommyGTrain

Tommy, I get your view and don't completely disagree with it. I do believe his presence in the locker room plays a part in his remaining on the ice, which is not always optimal. He also has slowed due to all the injuries; the cumulative effect resulting in what we see and why his career didn't reach the level we all thought might have been attainable.

He isn't an offensive d-man, but if his pairing allows his d-mate to rush up the ice, especially if it's Pionk, then that's a benefit. In addition depending on what transpires during the season, I wouldn't be shocked if he retires or is bought out. But for now, keeping him in the lineup makes sense to me.

I kind of knew what you meant but I have never seen the show.
- JRR1285

Line always cracks me up.

https://youtu.be/-cPrQ-GqpjU?t=149

Line always cracks me up.

https://youtu.be/-cPrQ-GqpjU?t=149
- mdw7413

That's a great movie.

I think we are getting that first round pick from Tampa, it's gonna happen

Staal has become the guy I yell at the TV about. It’s a drag. But you sure are right about Shatinpants. I never saw a lot of his game, pre-Rangers, but he certainly hasn’t lived up to his billing.

Staal has become the guy I yell at the TV about. It’s a drag. But you sure are right about Shatinpants. I never saw a lot of his game, pre-Rangers, but he certainly hasn’t lived up to his billing.
- Bromancer

I'm not seeing a guy capable of scoring from the point on the powerplay

I expected defensive deficiencies, but I thought he'd score some goals

I'm not seeing a guy capable of scoring from the point on the powerplay

I expected defensive deficiencies, but I thought he'd score some goals
- jimbro83

He's a turd, maybe worse than Yandle.

He's a turd, maybe worse than Yandle.
- JRR1285

Yandle was definitely better

Shattenkirk has that right handed thing going for him, that's about it

I'm not seeing a guy capable of scoring from the point on the powerplay

I expected defensive deficiencies, but I thought he'd score some goals
- jimbro83

Yeah, it’s usually a wrister, which, to give him credit, he’s pretty good at placing. But where’s the one-timer, or any kind of slap, or those elite play-making skills?