My Beef With Tom

The Rangers put in a very short effort tonight... so I'll do the same. 

As for the title of this post, let me begin by saying that I am pro-Tom Renney. Which, in Rangerland, seems to be more like being pro-cancer.

But here's where I don't understand Tom's thinking.

New York is down 2-1 (when they should be winning 3-1), Pittsburgh has all the momentum in the game, there's 15 minutes left in the tilt- and Tom puts out his PUNCHLESS (especially Colton Orr in that fight... ouch.) 4th line. 

And then I called it. I literally said it (to the two Pens fans I watched the game with tonight) mere SECONDS before Letang was left alone to slide down to the dot before wristing one high over Hank's shoulder.

"Great. We're down in the game, we need the puck, and Renney throws out the 4th liners," I called out. "This does nothing but kill a minute off the clock... or go for a goal against."

I pause for air and it's Cindy to Letang, who walks down the slot unmolested and ices the game. 

Our 4th line is not the type that scores timely goals. It doesn't even consist of young players or bangers who go out there and give you a few chances and a solid spark. No. Instead, our fourth line is made up of a fighter and two good penalty killers.

I'm not advocating that they be replaced. Betts and Sjo are too valuable on the PK. Instead, just KEEP THEM OFF OF THE ICE when the team NEEDS A GOAL. 

Again, their shift means nothing but time off the clock. They ARE NOT going to break the game even. You have 3 other lines that each have a much better chance off accomplishing something 5-on-5, and can manage themselves defensively.

 I just can't stand the fact that they were called on in that spot. I don't care that 15 minutes is a lot of time. When you're down in the 3rd, and you're a team that struggles to score goals to begin with, YOU NEED TO SCORE AS SOON AS POSSIBLE. 

I'm done with that.

GAME NOTES

- Henrik Lundqvist did not have a good game. He was swiss cheese in there tonight. At least 3 goals were scored that he would, no doubt, like to have back. 

- The Rangers defense, most notable Michal Rozsival and Dmitri Kalinin, were Hechting brutal in all facets of the game. Each was routinely beaten in one-on-one battles and were absolutely dreadful with the puck. Though the 2nd goal falls mostly on Hank, if Rozsival skates hard to the dumped puck instead of being afraid of getting hit, Jordan Staal never gets the opportunity to whip it to the front.

- Nik Zherdev is still really, really good. What a drag and shot on that first goal<33.>

-Scratch that. Marc Staal played a pretty solid game on the blueline.

- Go back upstairs Aaron Voros. Please. Not only was Voros slow on the forecheck, but he cant even one-touch a puck into the open net after Z hands it to him on a platter.

-The only two Rangers who were not a Minus tonight: Nik Zherdev and (WTF) Michal Rozsival.

- The Rangers really missed Ryan Callahan in this game. Cally, who was out with the flu, brings that spark and fire to the Rangers lineup that they were sorely lacking tonight.

So the roller coaster ride continues. And it's not going to get easier anytime soon, folks. Next up is the Eastern Conference leading Boston Bruins on Saturday afternoon. 

Let's hope the Blueshirts remember to bring their game.

-Rif