NYR Game Day Review – Jan 17th, 2016: X’s and O’s

It wasn’t the worst effort from the Rangers today. I thought they came out and played basically an even game – much better than they played yesterday. But in the end there were just too many mistakes and just downright strange coaching again.

Let me start with what went well. Chris Kreider is really finding his game with two more goals and I think really succeeded on a new line with Stepan and Zuccarello today, and keep that mind, because more on that later. Yes, Miller had a terrible turnover but was also +10 in shot attempts and really created scoring chances for the Rangers. I’m always willing to overlook isolated mistakes if the rest of the game is there. Nash and Brassard were also highlights going +12 each. The whole top six really worked today with new lines of Kreider-Stepan-Zuccarelo and Miller-Brassard-Nash. Dan Boyle went +15 and has really turned back into the possession driver he was last year over the last month or so, which is really big for the Rangers.

Now, what went wrong? Well, so as to avoid scapegoating the same few guys, I’m going to talk about a few things the Rangers did wrong as a team besides that, before I get to the real crème de la crème. The 4th line got hammered today. Dominic Moore was -13. Viktor Stalberg was -11. Tanner Glass was -11. They’ve been strong recently, so for now, one bad game. Dylan McIlrath was also suspect today. He was strong at times, but also had shaky shifts. He finished -3. The powerplay has gone cold, that’s why the Rangers haven’t been scoring their usual three goals. I feel like throughout the cold snap, it’s the same units over and over again. This is another example of Vigneault being stubborn when it’s not working. The Rangers also didn’t generate enough offense in the 3rd period. I think the reason for that is, after the top six was great for 40 minutes, AV went back to yesterday’s lines, (Miller-Brassard-Zuccarello and Kreider-Stepan-Nash) which had not been working. This is another example of Vigneault experimenting wildly when it is working. I also don’t need to see the 4th line, on a day they’ve been awful, with the team down two goals late. The 4th line played more than Hayes, Lindberg, Fast, Zuccarello, Miller, and Brassard in the 3rd with the Rangers down the entire time. Wonderful coaching, Alain.

So, nothing too awful but definitely some things to clean up. But who’s ready for the real stars of the game today? Who’s ready to watch the Marc Staal and Dan Girardi Show guest starring Alain Vigneault and Ulf Samuelsson with me?

First of all, for some reason, AV is still under the impression, in 2016, that they’re a viable option as a pairing. Together today: 32.2% in shot attempts. That went so well. Oh but it gets better, I have pictures today! I’m going to do some X’s and O’s and I’m excited.

Let’s start with Washington’s 2nd goal.

Solid coverage. A+, three gold stars. And check out that formation. That’s not a box, that’s a candy cane. Who coaches this PK, Ulf Samuelsson or Santa Claus?

Let’s look at Washington’s 3rd goal.

Again, absolutely world class coverage. There’s actually two Caps in front of the net there, and Keith Yandle -bless his heart- is trying to take both of them. Girardi meanwhile, appears to be reading the ads on the boards.

So here’s the Rangers, who to this point had played an even game (24-22 shot attempt advantage to the Rangers) and they’re down two because a guy who shouldn’t be on the ice has no concept of positioning.

But because this is the Rangers, and because this is Alain Vigneault and Ulf Samuelsson, he’s back on the ice in the 3rd, this time with an assist from Marc Staal.

Okay, that one is my favorite. And I’d like to give out a mulligan on this one because it started with that awful Miller turnover, but they had plenty of time to recover and as you see with the above examples, this kind of thing happens anyway! And like I always say, I’m willing to let these isolated mistakes go if the possession game is there. Marc Staal: -5. Dan Girardi: -9. Guess not. But keeping sending them out there coach, it’s going to work any day now.

And of course, after the game, one of the first things the MSG broadcast brings up is how well Girardi played. I don’t blame them and I get that it’s their job to wear rose-colored glasses. But I really hope most Rangers fans aren’t buying it.

The Rangers do things I like and I don’t believe they’re a poor hockey team. But there’s too many guys that night in, and night out, are absolute black holes, and way too much reliance on said guys from a clueless coaching staff. To say fans should be frustrated is putting it lightly.

Three Stars

1)Chris Kreider

2)Dan Boyle

3)Rick Nash

Was there pizza? No pizza again. Somebody fix the powerplay. Pizza record: 25-17-3.