I am at a loss here. Eric Staal may be the best center this team has had in ten years. Why is he not the first line center, nevermind getting less minutes than Tanner Glass?
Probably, as Staal has been on the decline for many years. Brassard's better than both. He'll probably have 60 points two seasons in a row.
Staal -http://www.hockey-reference.com/players/s/staaler01.html Games played - 909 Goals -322 Better than one goal every three games Assists - 453 Points - 775 .85 points per game Career FO % 48.6 (Continuing five consecutive years of 51% or better Stepan - http://www.hockey-reference.com/players/s/stepade01.html Games played - 414 Goals -102 Less than one goal every four games Assists - 180 Points - 282 .68 points per game Career FO % 44.56 (Highest season average: 46.6)
Ok, lets see where they are NOW Last Season: Staal: 77 Games 23 G 31 A 54PTS 51.3 % Faceoff Percentage Stepan: 68 Games 16 G 39 A 55 PTS 44.5% Faceoff Percentage Again, for the life of me, why do people continue to make excuses for Derek Stepan?
Good Rangers win. Caps seemed off the whole game, besides Oshie's sweet goal. Not even sure if Beagle scored that first goal. No excuse for that performance, but even with the loss they have a 16 point lead in the Metro. I was impressed with the Rangers D down the stretch. The Caps usually tie the game or win it when they have been down in the 3rd this year. Rangers barely gave them any chances. So this week the Caps beat the Penguins, then the Penguins beat the Rangers, then the Rangers beat the Caps. Welcome to Goodell's NHL. Just kidding.
No Hank or Marc Staal vs Isles today...Eric Staal centers 3rd line...Kevin Hayes on the 4th line, AV your an idiot!
It's still a winnable game, the isles are on a 7 game road trip and their offense has been sputtering. They are very fortunate to have pulled out the win against the Winnipeg Jets. I just hope that it's a good and close game.
Yet, the mindless drone Rangers fans will continue to support Derek Stepan, saying he was a steal at 6 years 36M. I have said this time and time again: He is without a doubt the WORST first line center I have seen in 30 years of watching hockey. He is virtually outscored by every first line center in the league, and has a career 44% face-off percentage. How in the name of holy fuck do you put him in for that faceoff. Blame AV all you want, but if you do so, you are also admitting that Derek Stepan is without a doubt the most overrated player on this team. He flat out sucks.
Derek Stepan taking that faceoff late in the 3rd is such a stupid ass move. It should have been Moore, I know it was icing but man what a joke. All after one of the better games a Ranger has had this year = Eric Staal just owned the faceoffs and his line was very good
AV brainfart, Staal 17 of 19 on faceoffs, put your worst faceoff centerman out to lose the faceoff clean and setup the game winning goal...should have kept Staal out for just the faceoff or put DM in for the faceoff
