Last game, the Rangers gave up 5 humiliating goals most of which could be attributed to laziness, or a complete breakdown in systems play. Today the Rangers have given up 0 goals. Yes, theyve scored 0 themselves, however you can definitely see the commitment to making safe, smart plays. Its not quite New Jersey Devils hockey, because the Rangers aren’t just sitting back and trying to counter, they are attacking the man with the puck, and are applying pressure. What you are seeing is two teams who won’t give an inch. I’m surprised how well the Bruins are playing to be honest. I haven’t seen them this year yet, but you can see Claude Juliens style of defending in full force.
I like what I am seeing out here with the exception of the refs. Petr Prucha takes a left hand punch to the face 3 feet from the ref, and nothing is called. Then Fedor Tyutin gets his stick yanked out of his hands, and he gets called. That is just unacceptable. Yes the refs can’t get them all, but those 2 were pretty damn blatant, and were right in front of the refs, not away from the play.
Still though, with all that said, I like what I am seeing. Ive said it before, I’m more concerned when a team this star-studded is giving up 5+ goals a game like on Thursday. When they arent giving up many goals, then I am happy, no matter what their record is. That means they are making the smart plays, and are committing to what the coach has to say and is instilling in them.
Remember…The offense will come, its the defense that we should worry about.
