Torts: Our Goaltending Hasn't Been There
Andrew Gross at Ranger Rants has quotes from John Tortorella on his unhappiness with Henrik Lundqvist's play of late..."Let's call a spade a spade. Our goaltending hasn't been there, certainly not at the level it needs to be this time of year. The Florida game we did everything but win it. The last game, too, prior to this one, we played well enough to win...We get five out of the six points if we get just decent goaltending."
Hank added this about his performance tonight...
"We are not going to win the hockey game if I don't play better," said Lundqvist. "I know that I have to be better. I'm very disappointed."
For player post game thoughts go to the Rangers Report.
...this has really come out of left field to me. Sure Hank was horrific tonight, but two goals were deflected in against the Penguins and I thought he was fine against the Panthers.
...the guy carries the team 98% of the time he's going to have a bad stretch here and there. That's why the Rangers brought in Biron, maybe get him a few games in a row while Hank works on some things.
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Also, id echo Kevin's comment about Girardi not looking his normal solid self. Has made a lot of poor plays with the puck these two games since the break.
Staal also had a bad game last night, and continues to take frustratingly stupid penalties.
Id also like to see Eminger reinserted; Del Zotto does not look up to par in any of the three zones
Knowing that Hank can be a bit psychologically delicate and VERY hard on himself, I don't know if this kind of public call-out by Torts is the best tactic to improve his play. We've seen in the past how he can psych himself out and his poor play snowballs after that.
I sure think he's entiteled to a few rough games, and I think the best thing to do right now is give Biron a few starts and let Hank work some things out on his own. They did that earlier in the season and it seemed to really make a difference.
I think he is just being honest......that Florida game, Rangers outplayed and should have won.....Florida has one shot in the third and it goes in......against Pittsburgh too, and definitely tonight. He is letting in softies. Rangers are usually outplaying but anytime the other team has a chance they end up scoring. Rangers don't have enough offensive talent on this team to win when he lets up 3 bad goals a game. Lundqvist HAS to be better and torterella is just being honest when he says that.
@KevinDeLury @Ricky I agree. Besides last night, where he definitely should have had that Zubrus shot, Lundqvist has played decent, getting too very unfortunate bounces against Florida. You need to be able to win games by scores other than 3-2, 2-1, and 7-0, i.e once and a while the O needs to put in 4 goals or score in tight spots on the shootout when your goalie makes 6 consec saves.
The real culprit among relevant players continues to be Gaborik, who hasn't been shooting well at all. and, in my opinion, is way too inconsistent in the offensive zone, sometimes being a little too soft on the puck.
Dubinsky needs to bury that rebound last night, and A.A. needs to put that shot from the slot on goal, not over the net.
I still respect the overall compete level, but they need to play a little smarter with their heads and hands.
The power play is nothing short of abominable for most of the season. Their last two pp goals: that fluke goal last night by Vinny (which was great to see nonetheless), and the goal against Pitt that came with 30 secs left on a 5 min advantage, were
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@Ricky I thought he was bad last night. Had no problem with his performances against Panthers and Pens.
@KevinDeLury Ok, but can you honestly say he has been good, better yet even average, these past few games?? I understand he has been there for us so much earlier in the season, but that is what all-star elite goalies do....and we need him to be at his tip-top self in order to even consider the playoffs and he's not there right now. That's all i'm saying and i'm sure you agree with that.
@Ricky That one shot against Florida deflected off Anisimov's back and went in. Totally not Hank's fault.
not sure if if this is some sort of motivational tactic but henrik is having a fabulous season and given the amount of times he bales this team out he is entitled to a mediocre strecth
