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.
