Sometimes you gotta tip your hat. Thats what I think of tonight. Rangers played pretty damn well. They limited the high quality scoring chances, and second chance plays, they played very sound hockey, they just got beat by a team who played almost perfect, 60 minute hockey.
Renney tried some interesting combinations including Prucha Immonen and Jagr. A trio I enjoyed watching out there. I was totally flummoxed in trying to explain why he benched Nylander. It makes no sense to me. He didnt do anything to warrant a benching if you ask me. Strange thing to do. There is accountability, and then there is stupidity. If Nylander hooked someone to get a few penalties, then yeah, it makes sense, but an inadvertent high stick? how can you fault the guy for that?? Its just more Bass Ackwards (yes thats spelt that way on purpose!) philosophy by Renney.? Sorry but you wanna bench someone, im all for it, but you do it when they deserve it.? Nylander has done nothing to deserve a benching.
Still though, I gotta go back to my original point.? Islanders played GREAT hockey.? I wish the Rangers played like that, win or lose I would be one happy camper.
Lets talk about some of the positives now though shall we?? None of the defenseman had bad games, all played well or very well, particularly Rozsival whom you all know I dislike with a fiery passion.? He played a great game, using his body, stick, and smarts to play a top pairing game.? More games like this from Rozy and he’ll be off my shit list.
By the way, in case I havent made this clear.? This most definitely IS one of those losses where I can say, win or lose, we played the game smart.? So there you have it, we played smart, and I am satisfied with this one.
We got beat, we didnt beat ourselves.
-Inferno
