RichieNextel305

Florida looks terrifying. I can’t believe this is 3-0, especially with how Tampa played down the stretch. Really impressive stuff.

I don’t understand the Islanders. My theory on being too attached to a roster is that the Rangers handled things right with their elite teams in the mid-2010s. You had teams that won divisions, a Presidents Trophy, an Eastern Conference Title. And when things began to tail off, management understood this notion: if we couldn’t win with this little engine that could when they were all at their best (Henrik included), are we going to win with them getting older? The answer was a resounding no. They dealt Brassard, a staple, at the right time. Stepan. They cut ties with people like Girardi. This was all before the Letter. They knew it was time for new blood. Lou, for whatever reason, is living off of 2020 and 2021. They got close. They were good. They were tough to play against. It was never a team built on talent, but instead it was the depth and the grit. But it’s a hard brand to sustain across many seasons and these guys are mostly older and still there. And in that time, aside for grabbing Horvat, no major moves have been made to compete with the big boys in today’s NHL. They just don’t have enough talent. Barzal is good, but is he the play driver on a Cup Winner? I see him more as a secondary guy. Same for Horvat. If this ends the way I think we can all agree it likely is going to end, it’s time to nuke that core and just start over. They had their chance. They, like the mid-2010s Rangers, had a few good kicks at the can. But it’s time for new blood in there.

I was hoping for a war to tire them out. That said, them losing Fast and Pesce for a potential Ranger series trumps them being tired through a long series because that hurts their depth. Specifically on the blueline. Skjei and DeAngelo are their 2nd pair right now. Losing Pesce, for however long he is going to be out and it does seem long-term, is just a huge blow for them. As is losing Fast for the rest of the playoffs.

By the way, going back to my post on Fast/Pesce, while Fast sounds like he’s done for the year, Brind’Amour did a quick chat with ESPN before the game. Made it seem like Pesce may not be back either. At least not anytime soon. Made it seem like he would be out unless they make a longer run. Not looking past DC or having Carolina look past the Islanders, but in the event we do see these guys in a week or 2, it would be huge not having those 2 around to deal with.

Fast out for year. Pesce potentially out long term. Big losses. If we get out of this series and then see them Round 2, not having Pesce would be huge. Believe their 2nd Pair would be Skjei-DeAngelo. Woof.

Wennberg out on a maintenance day today. Chytil skated in his place on 3rd line and will make trip to DC.

Wennberg had a maintenance day today. Chytil skated at full in his place and will make the trip to DC.

I didn’t watch too too much. But it was 3-1 with an empty net, no? I didn’t see the second VGK goal. But the first one was like a 2-on-0 with Eichel and Marchessault and Eichel just made an incredible play for a tip in for Marchessault. I’m not disagreeing overall, because he could have been better in Game 1. But tonight, 23 saves on 25 shots and your team only grabs 1 goal early in the 1st? Gonna take more from Dallas’ big guys to make a dent if they want to come back. Just a bad matchup. Almost reminds me of 2015 when we were beating everyone left and right and the only team we had issues with all season and never beat was Tampa. And we know how that ended for us. Dallas may be on the same path against a team they are yet to beat thus far this entire season.

That was my guess once the videos of him came out that he was skating and doing non-contact shit gingerly on the ice. Didn’t look like he had a noticeable physical issue. So this would add up.

The Vegas Golden Kircumvention go on the road and take 2 in Dallas. Some might say it’s shocking since Dallas is the 1 seed and Vegas is the 8 seed in the West. But, please. Enough with this narrative. Dallas was behind an 8-ball regardless. Vegas beat them all 3 games this year I believe. And now they just went from playing the Power Rangers after they morph into superheroes and fast forwarded right to the end of the episode where they’re now facing the Megazord. Bullshit. If a player is on LTIR before the Trade Deadline and does not play in the final game of the regular season, they should not be permitted to play in at least the 1st Round of the playoffs.

By the way, Alec Martinez returned tonight too. This current VGK lineup tonight is $4.5 Million over the salary cap and is about to go up 2-0 on the #1 seed in the West unless Dallas can do something here with under 2 minutes left in the 3rd.

Maybe I’m biased because he’s the play-by-play guy on the radio for the Jets. But, Bob Wischusen is extremely good at doing hockey games too. Doing Game 2 of this series right now with Cally. A very good pair. He filled in for Sam a few times here and there back in the day on MSG Network. I actually think he had the call for Jagrs 600th NHL Goal. Maybe biased, but don’t think I am here. He’s good. And as a pair, they’re very good together.