“The Sky is Falling in Rangerstown, The Sky is Falling!” as Hurricanes blow into MSG
Run Chicken Little Run (Photoshop by FTNYR)
Three losses in a row. Forget the 16-6-2 record, forget the 9 game winning streak and forget the fact we are just 24 games into the an 82 game season. It’s over! Back it up and plan for next year. (Damn! Where is the sarcasm font?)
Well, at least that’s the impression I get from some Rangers fans and some “gloom and doom” writers and bloggers. Let’s forget the analytics community, even the ones that claim to be “Rangers Fans”, because they are all openly or secretly doing the “Corsi Was Right Dance”.
Tonight, some much needed medicine comes to MSG in the form of the lowly Carolina Hurricanes. I’m not implying the Rangers can play like poop again and win, but even a mediocre effort against this team should result in 2 points.
Some Interesting Lineup Questions?
Henrik Lundqvist, who was “disgusted” with Claude Julien‘s “acting” comments is still sore from the Brad Marchand leg-to-head shot. Will he be able to go tonight, or will Antti Raanta make his first back to back start of the season? Either way, the Rangers are fine in goal.
Is Dylan McIlrath, who has been probably one of the Rangers better defenseman in the last 2 games get scratched for Dan Boyle? Mind you, McIlrath being one of the Rangers best on the blue-line is good for him but bad for the team. Or will Alain Vigneault really shake things up and bench Marc Staal or Dan Girardi for a game? Better yet, will he keep Boyle in the stands, thus forcing the 39 year old defenseman to eventually ask for a trade? Things that make you go, hmmmm.
Chris Kreider has admitted he’s been “bad”. He even knows that it’s on him and that he needs to do something to change it quick. However, will AV finally demote Kreider to 3rd or 4th line shifts until he figures it out? It may be the only play the coach has since scratching him is not an option with Derek Stepan out.
These Next 4 Games are HUGE!
The Blueshirts need to pick up at least 5-6 points in these next 4 games which include 3 (actually 4) at home. Tonight against the Canes, Wednesday at the Islanders, followed by the Senators and Avalanche. Why is it important? A 3 game Western Canada road trip looms in the distance (Van, Edm, Cgy).
Hopefully the Rangers figure out their zone coverage issues before the Christmas season which will see them face-off against the Caps, Ducks, @Predators and @Lightning. If this “fall” continues, the Rangers hot-start will be for nothing.
If that does happen, well then, maybe the sky is really falling. RUN RANGERS FANS, RUN!
UPDATE:
New lines: Nash- Brass-Zucc Kreider-Lindberg-Fast Miller-Hayes-Stalberg Moore-Stoll-Etem
— Andrew Gross (@AGrossRecord) November 30, 2015
D-pairs: McDonagh-Klein Staal-Boyle Yandle-Girardi/McIlrath
— Andrew Gross (@AGrossRecord) November 30, 2015
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