RedLeaf said:
OldTimeHockey said:
freer said:
Ranger sucks IMO. I am guessing with Fraser hurt and the cap crunch we will finally get to see Reilly play against the SENS. (Unless he got sent to the WHL without me knowing)
I thought Ranger played a better game. I didn't watch the whole game though. I definitely don't believe that should of been a penalty shot.
It that was a 'better' game than he's got a ton of room for improvement. He had 2 blatant giveaways. One that led him to take an emergency dive in front of Bernier to prevent a shot, and the other a diving stick check that ended up being called a penalty shot. I was hoping he would be a whole lot better then he has shown so far. Hopefully its just a readjustment or timing thing, but I'm starting to have serious doubts.
I don't necessarily blame Ranger for the events leading up to the penalty shot. Simmonds came off the bench from outside the zone and surprised Ranger who thought he had time to gather the puck and put it on net. IMO, it was up to his defense partner to YELL at him "MAN ON" so that he could chip it back in deep. In fact, Franson reacted really freaking slowly once he saw the pressure get applied to Ranger. He should have started backing him up immediately- which would have prevented Ranger from having to dive to try and make a play and give up the penalty shot.
BTW, having the puck stolen off your stick in a battle like that is NEVER called a giveaway in the stat book- its called a takeaway. Giveaways are bad plays with the puck that end up on the other teams stick (bad pass, attempt to dump it out that doesn't make it).
I agree that Ranger had a better game last night than opening night. Remember, its his first two games in the NHL in four years, on back to back nights. There is lots of room for improvement there and I think he will adjust fine.