Nobody said it was going to be an easy fix.  Two games in two nights, both times the Rangers getting a slew of chances and clinging to a 1-0 lead going into the 3rd period, and both times the team stops playing and ends up falling apart like the leaves in November.  Tortorella has only been in the driver’s seat for three full days, with only one practice under them, so I don’t think any of this is a reflection on him or his staff.

But the reality of it is that he is asking them to play a completely different game (which he damn well should be doing).  For most of these guys, they have played a safe, defensive style of hockey for 3+ seasons, and to ask them to turn the switch in a span of 72 hours is, well, damn near impossible.  These guys couldn’t turn it on when they had the same coach, what makes us think they will be able to do it for a different guy?

It still boggles my mind that a team can play such solid hockey for 125 feet, then go south like a duck in winter when it matters most.  Both Gomez’s and Callahan’s missed chances tonight are inexcusable.  One of the first things you learn, or should learn, when playing youth hockey is that when you are in tight on the goaltender, you LIFT the pick high to put it in the net.  The chances of him reacting with his upper body as quick as he would with his legs is slim, and if he does, great for him.  These are simple things that should not elude professional hockey players.

You can give Renney a ton of credit for ingraining in his players the style of hockey that he wanted played.  He did it very well, because obviously its been quite a chore for Tortorella to shake these habits loose.  The Rangers always lacked that killer instinct with Tom Renney.  It seems to be the element that the new coach has to instill in his players.  On the bright side, this team has played better in their first two games under Tortorella than they have under Renney’s regime.  They are quicker, more hungry, and are getting more chances.  I don’t think its time to panic just yet, beacuse once it comes together (which is hopefully soon), this is going to be a very strong team.  And if it has to wait until next year, so be it.  At least these boys will know where they stand and what they are capable of.

NOTE: It appears that Brandon Dubinsky is going to be John Tortorella’s horse.  Its a beautiful thing, because I think he’s one of the few people on the team that can mentally and physically handle this new style.

And the Islanders have scored 4 goals against the Leafs in less than 60 minutes.  What’s wrong with this picture?  Anybody???

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