2/15 - Bruins at Rangers
- Thread starter NYCSox
- Start date
The Rangers aren't just overated, they stink. They're basically like the Roy Avs and 2013 Leafs. The roof will cave in. It's just a matter of when.
I'm not so sure about that. Their goaltending is top notch, they have a ton of offensive talent, and their defense is getting better around the Norris Trophy winner.
The stats are ugly. They get caved in nightly. The are among the worst teams in the league at even strength. They are 29th in xGF%, ahead of only Buffalo, Arizona and Montreal. They are dead last in CF%, dead last in SCF%. Teams with similar statistical profiles typically flame out in spectacular fashion. Another example is the Ottawa Senators in 2016. They rode their luck to an ECF, ignored what the data said pushed further all-in, and by the middle of the next season they were so bad they were trading everyone away and still haven't recovered.
They've banked enough points that they'll be in the playoffs. Shesterkin is obviously really good and even if he regresses a bit, he's good enough to steal a series. 1 out of almost every 4 shots Kreider takes is going into the net. He's the opposite of Taylor Hall last year. Impossibly high shooting percentage. That regression will come. They have high end guys like Fox and Panarin but the depth is pretty meh.
If I could choose an opponent for the Bruins in the playoffs, bring me NYR.
From what I'm seeing (MoneyPuck) they're 29th in 5v5 expected goal percentage (45.5%) but are 7th in goal differential above expected. Some of that is no doubt due to good goaltending or having skilled shooters, but they're certainly punching above their weight overall.
I hope you're right because my wife and all of my in-law's are Rangers fans so there's nothing more I'd like then to see them lose in excruciating fashion like they did against LA Kings in the Finals a few years ago. But, they keep finding ways to win games and their roster is on the younger side so they have room to get better. They also have a shit ton of deadline cap space to go get reinforcements.
Let’s get 2 points here tonight. And a strong game from Studnicka. Sounds like the captain could be back for the Islanders game.
Reilly and McAvoy had solid advanced stats in their cameo. They’re starting together tonight. Could be lethal with the current first line in the o zone. And hopefully the current 2nd line will create some havoc and apply pressure. Score early, control the game.
Let‘s go!
#NHLBruins morning rushes:
Hall - Haula - Pastrnak
Frederic - Coyle - Smith
DeBrusk - Studnicka - Foligno
Blidh - Nosek - Lazar
Reilly - McAvoy
Grzelcyk - Carlo
Forbort - Clifton
Swayman
Ullmark
Let‘s go!
#NHLBruins morning rushes:
Hall - Haula - Pastrnak
Frederic - Coyle - Smith
DeBrusk - Studnicka - Foligno
Blidh - Nosek - Lazar
Reilly - McAvoy
Grzelcyk - Carlo
Forbort - Clifton
Swayman
Ullmark
Good first period.
Don't worry - its going to regress. Right now everything looks like dogshit in the underlying numbers except Shesterkin's .874 Goals Saved above expected per 60 minutes. To put that in perspective, Timmy in 2011, the best goaltending season in the last 20 years by that stat, was at .706 GSAE/60. So either your wife and your in-laws are in for some bad news, or Igor is the best goalie that ever lived.
0 expected goals for, 0.82 expected against in the 3rd. Sometimes you get the outcome you deserve.
I really enjoy watching every team in the league be allowed to do whatever they want to the Bruins with no repercussions.
At worst they get 4 on 4 if they attack the Bruins, and can even get PP out of it...