RangersIn7

That’s a bit of an overstatement IMO Im assuming you mean him being a deterrent. Which is fair. Cause I think he is to an extent. It’s like owning a Great Dane. They see or hear that giant thing and they’re not coming in your house. But there are factors involved in that, especially in a playoff series, and especially if it’s a close game. Guys are less likely to pull some stuff in those games generally. And if they do, it’s stupid. Refs will call it. Also, depending on the officiating and who it is and how they’re watching and treating him on a given night, that’s impacting what he may be able to do as well. And once again, he’s not seeing the ice after the 2nd period. If something were to happen to where Lavy felt compelled to put him out there, refs are gonna watch him like a hawk and anything he does, they’re gonna call it cause they know what he’s out there for.

Yeah… I get the point about the record. Its a valid point to make. I just don’t know though how anyone could: A) Quantify his impact in those games B) Put a lot of stock in it given how few minutes he actually plays and the fact that in any game that’s close or of big importance he won’t even see the ice in the 3rd period and beyond. And again…. I am in no way knocking the kid. It’s just that he’s very young. Has so little experience. At this point, what he brings and can actually do and be trusted with is a very, very small number of things. I think he can absolutely evolve into someone that can play a niche, 4th line type role in the NHL moving forward And he’s shown enough and been impactful enough to where he’s earned the opportunity at this point. And I think there are some areas of the game that he can improve upon to cement the above for himself. Hes just not at that point now

Listen… kid brings sone things. Some very good things. No one can deny that. But as you go deeper in the playoffs, play teams that are better and deeper, and all that comes with that, his negatives start to neutralize, and potentially outweigh his positives. Thats all. At home, where you can more easily control matchups, it’s the right way to go I think.

I get it for Game 5 at home. Thats not lost on me. But the cries about pulling him out of the lineup and insistence that he be in it every game are misplaced.

I don’t understand the overwhelming desire to see this guy in the lineup. Yes, he has his virtues and value. He brings size, energy, and physicality… and he’s potted a couple too. But he plays 6 minutes a night, doesn’t see the ice after the 2nd period, you have to shelter him and watch the matchups he sees like crazy, and he gets called for penalties a lot. Kid has a future in the NHL IMO. But right now he’s 21 with limited experience and too many things working against him to play him every night.

Carolina was never getting swept. Carolina was always going to find a way to win at least 1 in their building. It shook out the way I think many of us expected and it’s fine. Despite a poor 1st period, they tied it up, rest of game was pretty even. And it took a fortuitous penalty call and a goal on a pretty low percentage shot very late in the game for Carolina to win it. No problem. Go home and win Game 5.

Finish this now! LGR!

Tikk’s on-ice interview with Al Trautwig, immediately following Game 7 vs the Devils in 1994 is one of the best examples of Tikkanese.

I know. His value is just at an all-time low. You think LA would swap PLD for him?

God I hope so! I’d pay for that!

Bury these guys tonight and take the life out of them! LGR!

Mika’s high-end is better. Aho is more consistent. But it’s close to even either way. Both are excellent players.

Trouba will have an important moment at some point

Yeah Can we just watch and enjoy them play the hockey they’re clearly good at playing and clearly enjoying. They’re clearly in this shit for one another and their coaches and all of that. This is a really good group who could win it all. Lets just enjoy that.

He’s only ever played the left side. And he’s played it oh so well… as a clutch performer. Hes proven he’s a great player in his spot. Hes proven he can easily play with great players. But you need to keep him on his side. He’s the player you never move. Guentzel is one of the most underrated players in the NHL. And has been for a number of years. Name 10 left wingers who’ve been better than him over the last 5-6 seasons? You cant. No one can. Cause they don’t exist.