Somewhere, sometime, Tom Renney sat his team down and said, fellas, if we go into the 3rd period with a 2 or more goal lead, we are playing a 1-4 defensive system. No more 1-2-2, its a straight 1-4. I can’t for the life if me imagine why this is a good way to play hockey. The Rangers are a PUCK POSSESSION TEAM!!!! We are NOT a team that is going to overwhelm you with our defensive game, we are going to overwhelm you by being responsible, by having 5 in the picture, and by controlling the puck more than you are. It’s a formula that works, it’s a formula this Ranger fan believes in and buys into 100%. But why the hell do you just give away 1/2 the ice to the other team when you have the lead? Seriously, think about it, except for empty net goals, you arent going to score a goal in that period about 99% of the time. And that odd 1% is usually because the other team took an offensive zone penalty which you capatilize on. Why play a brand of hockey that can not advance your score, and can only serve to keep you even, or down a goal.

It makes NO sense, zero whatsoever. It’s the prevent defense that any football fan will acknowledge is the most retarded thing ever invented.

If my team plays my style of hockey for 60 minutes, and gives a good effort, you will not hear me, nor any sane fan complain. But when you play periods like that, you are BEGGING for trouble. I couldn’t believe when Jagr readily acknowledged their change in philosophy in the 3rd and saying that he thought that was a good thing. A good thing?! Really?!

Look, I don’t want to sound like Mr. Negativity, but this crap just irks me the wrong way. It’s like cheering for the Devils for Gods sakes, I just can’t be happy when I see my team play like this. I think I might actually be allergic to the prevent defensive system. Wow, an allergic reaction from visual stimulation, that has to be a first!

Play the style that got you there, that’s all I’m saying.

Other than that, it was all pretty much hugs and kittens for the Rangers, they severely outplayed the best team in hockey for most of the game, and shut them down when they had to. Not much more you can ask (except to play the style that got you there!)

UPDATE!

I was lucky enough to get sent this behind the scenes footage of when Jagr found out Straka would be back…

Ok, come on now people, you have to be able to take a joke right? I just find it funny how ridiculously different Jaromir plays with and without Straka.

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Things opened up a bit too much for my liking in that period. Rangers scored as many as the Sens (1) but gave up about 10 times the quality chances than they did in the first period. I cant for the life of me understand why they are willing to play that kind of game. It’s clear they are a puck possession, cycle, one timing team. Stick to what you are good at, don’t play run and gun with our team speed, we just can’t do it.

While Gerber may have been terrible, Emery has been very good in his period. He certainly made all the saves he should, made some really great saves, and gave up a goal nobody can be expected to stop.

I just hope the Rangers tighten it up in the 3rd. Dont necessarily play to run out the clock, but don’t take any unnecessary chances. Rangers have to give up 3 in the period to go to OT, I believe that has already happened within 2-3 minutes a few times against the Sens this year. Keep this safe, keep things simple, and hold the puck, thats the key.

By the way, Marcel Hossa is having a beastly game, anyone else notice how strong he is on the forecheck and in the corners? Very good game for him, keep it up!

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I really couldn’t tell which it was. Was it the Rangers just flat out dominating the struggling Senators? Or was it the Senators looking like absolute crap out there? It’s probably equal amounts of each, but either way it all adds up to a pretty dominating period in which the Rangers put up more goals than they score in an average week. Jagr looks hungry out there. Clearly the constant jibes from this blogger has gotten to him, that or his BFF is back on his line and all is well.

I’m fairly sure though that 99% of the goalies in the league gets at least 2 of those 3 goals, if not all 3. none were scored with a direct screen, and none with a major deflection, though jagrs was definitely touched…barely.

The way I look at it, is we are due, especially against these guys. But 20 minutes does not a game make. Back to work!

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