Good morning, BSB community.  It’s game day.  That means the Rangers have a chance to stop the bleeding, get back to basics and level the series before returning to New York.  As a general rule, I am not a superstitious person.  However, every time I turned Game 3 on, something horrible happened to the Rangers.  So, I sucked it up and accepted my fate as a cursed fan and stayed away.  Then OT happened and they still lost.  Now I feel stupid and I didn’t even watch most of the game.  With that in mind, this will be a very conceptual thoughts post.

  • It’s nice to see the Rangers actually be able to score some goals, but it feels very much like a “be careful what you wish for” scenario.  Clearly, defense is sacrificed in the service of additional scoring, and going full “run and gun” with a team with Tampa’s forward group is probably ill advised.
  • Watching Hank and his body language during the (brief) part of the game I watched, he seems very uncomfortable in those types of games.  He has built his career on the backs of 2-1 wins and seven game series.  I don’t get the sense he really knows what to do with a 5-4 or 6-5 game.
  • The defense needs to be much better.  Maybe it’s time to start playing with the pairings to being more conscious of the matchups.  The “Triplets” line has to be contained.  The net front coverage and guys sneaking in behind the play must improve if the Rangers expect to even the series.
  • Just score a goal or two, Rick.  Then maybe you get hot and this stupid debate goes away.
  • With all the difficulties and consternation this team puts us through as a fan base, they are only down one game and have stretches where they have been the better team.  Winning this series is very much on the table.
  • The Ducks are playing the Blackhawks much tougher than I expected them to.  Frederick Andersen has been outstanding.  I have never watched a more vanilla goaltender, but he has been tremendously effective.
  • Something tells me the league is cringing at the thought of a potential Anaheim/Tampa Bay Stanley Cup Final.  Sure, it’s a feel good story for non-traditional markets, but will anyone care even a little bit?
  • I apologize for the short thoughts today, but the crew here has analyzed the last few days in-depth and I’m getting ready to head into Manhattan.  I’ll probably end up at Hudson Station for the game, so if anyone wants to share a beer, just hit me up on twitter (@tappingtheposts).
  • At this point, there is not much left to say.  Re-commit to team defense, play simple, effective hockey that you’ve played all year long and get pucks to the net.  As much faith as I have in this group, coming back from a 3-1 deficit two series in a row is a very difficult task.  Win tonight and bring it back to New York all even.

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