It feels like the Rangers are on an NFL schedule lately. One game per week, nothing really doing in between the games. It’s a bit boring, and it honestly makes for a difficult week, since there’s not much to write about. The same old topics are the same old topics, so here are just some of my random thoughts before this game tonight.
- The goaltending duo of Henrik Lundqvist and Antti Raanta has been outstanding to start the season, but they won’t continue with a .960 SV% at even strength. Naturally this means more goals, but if the defense starts waking up a bit and limiting shots, then we might not see an overall difference in goals against. That’s a big if though.
- Speaking of the defense, a lot of folks are killing Alain Vigneault for putting Dan Girardi back with Ryan McDonagh against Alex Ovechkin. Over the past three seasons, Girardi’s done a solid job shutting him down, so it’s not crazy. Ovechkin’s style is to cut back to the middle and use his defenseman as a screen for a shot. He’s not someone who will burn you to the outside, which is what Girardi struggles with. On paper, it makes sense to at least try, even with Girardi’s regression this season.
- That said, Girardi is getting older and his effectiveness in the past may not translate to future success against Ovechkin. Won’t know until tonight, though.
- Food for thought: We are all gushing over Kevin Klein being the Rangers’ best defenseman so far. But is that really a good thing? Or is this more an indication of the poor play from the other blue liners not named Keith Yandle?
- People are also upset with AV regarding the forward lines. I think that’s just people arguing for argument’s sake though. There are no wrong choices with the forwards at the moment. Emerson Etem deserves more time, but as does Viktor Stalberg. If there’s one forward who has been struggling a bit, it’s J.T. Miller. But taking him out of the lineup for a game would probably start a riot.
- I’m not worried about Rick Nash, and neither should you. He’s shooting 3% at the moment. His career average is 12.5%. Regression will be fun to watch. Note that regression isn’t always negative. Positive regression is still regression, at least from a statistical standpoint.
- Mats Zuccarello has seven goals (two assists) this season. Nash has one goal (five assists). If those numbers were reversed, would people be giving Zucc a hard time for not scoring? Just curious.
- If the Rangers finish with one 30-goal scorer and six 20-goal scorers, but no 40-goal scorers, will people think this team doesn’t have enough firepower? Seems to be a lazy narrative. Personally I’d rather have the offense spread out across the lineup.
- Tonight is as big a game as you can have for the first month of the season.
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