GAME 1 THURSDAY OCTOBER 12th: NYR @ BUF - 7:00pm MSG

The Ranger forwards all got used at least 12:30 - and the 3rd pair d got 15:33 - so awesome if this keeps up

Posted by: @pierre_pdare

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Posted by: @x10003q

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 A good opening win showing the structure that they are working with from Lav.

There will be teams who will play better against the 1-3-1

True, but if this works against the lessor teams the wins will pile up and the Rangers won't have to be in chase mode all the time

 

Good execution, total team effort. Ice time spread around. Lots to like. Laviolette gets it, gonna be a fun year. 

I thought it was an encouraging night, lots of good signs, and they took it to a goalie who was 2-0 against them.  That said, Sabres are a projected to be a bubble playoff team this year, and they still are very young so still a team the Rangers should beat.

So yep, very happy with the outcome tonight, but also wary of using this as an indication of much to this point.

I liked what I saw both offensively and defensively except for the reliance on shot blocking during the latter stages of the game. Not that it is bad but it will take its toll over an 82 game schedule. Torts was prolly ginning ear to ear if he watched.

Maybe it was my imagination, but offensively they seemed to generating chances in a more north/south scheme 5 on 5 and the PP time was split closer to 50-50. The #2 PP actually got more PP time than #1. I thought the 2nd pp unit looked better organized and I think it can contribute more this year. 

I wouldn't make Buffy into a measuring stick for the NYR but they are a young good skating team. Thompson looked out of sync and some think he is still injured/recovering.

Overall a nice game 1 on the road on RJ ceremony night. I liked listening to RJ call games... he was entertaining. 

They haven’t had a defensive structure since Torts or blocked shots since Torts like that. Torts issue was he went completely overboard and ruins the offense of any players on the team. Hopefully, Lava will find middle ground. It seems that he told Panarin either shoot the puck or get benched. It’s only one game but it looks like this coach realizes there’s no way they’re gonna beat teams like the Devils or the faster teams playing a stupid style Gallant had.

On the scoring play for the first goal, anyone notice that Panarin was on the right side and Lafreniere was on the left? In other words, playing their natural wings.

I hope Laviolette did.