That's not an answer to my question. Do you really believe that Derek Stepan is a first-line quality center?
Pat Leonard@PLeonardNYDN · 4h 4 hours ago Kevin Klein (stitches in chin) is on the ice for practice here in Greenburgh, but Dan Girardi (stitches in leg, day-to-day) is not #NYR
well, how big was it for the sharks not to score on that puck making its way over the line? may have been a whole different game, hank was very grateful for that. nice to see them score some goals! good game to build off of
No. Ideally he's not, but Stepan's not miles away from being a #1 center. He's one of the best #2C's in a perfect world. If you look at some of the players playing #1C in the NHL, I think Stepan is better than a number of them, but no he isn't in the category of the Crosby's, Toews, Getzlaf's, Tavares, Stamkos and those guys and he won't ever get there.
I thought all 4 lines played well, even Hunwick had a good game. If Girardi doesn't play tonight Kostka goes back in....not good
Duclair's scratched again. A bit unlucky how this has all happened to him. The lineup needed to be changed and Duclair was the winger with the least trust of the coach, so he took the hit for a lot of other players not performing up to their usual standards. He had three points in his first four games with a plus minus of +4 and multiple drawn penalties. He was playing very well.
It just shows how poor our defensive depth is that Kostka and Hunwick have played games so far this season. Neither player is even an adequate 7th defenseman.
Andrew Gross@AGrossRecord · 2h 2 hours ago If Girardi plays as expected tonight, it will mark the first time this season the Rangers have used the same lineup in two straight games.
Sometimes these coaches send a message to the wrong guys, instead of showing the jurneymen that they can be replaced by younger players, they sit the skilled younger players, or start changing lines like its a video game. It's too early in the season to move people around, let the guys build some chemistry.
Staal-Klein were dog shit as usual tonight, at least Klein redeemed himself in OT. Hunwick has been very good ever since pre-season. If he keeps this up, they can put him on the second pair to cover Staal and get Klein back on the 3rd pairing.
Quality come from behind win, Nash- Hayes- Kreider line playing very well together, Mueller has some skills
