Goal Line Report
Next entry: Are the Rangers in Trouble?
Previous entry: Interesting Look at Lundqvist
Some Thoughts on Valiquette
by Patrick Hoffman on 11/29/09 at 10:04 AM ET
Comments (4)
From Andrew Gross at Ranger Rants:
And as great a guy as Steve Valiquette is and as much as you want to see him do well, it may be getting to the point where the Rangers have to consider alternatives to backup Henrik Lundqvist. As discussed, Valiquette goes through long stretches where he plays very well - and Tortorella cited him as the reason the Rangers were still in this game heading into the third period despite a weak defensive effort in the first period - but then seems to have too many of these stretches where one goal leads to several goals. Tonight’s third period is a fine example. So was that 10-2 loss at Dallas last season. Or the 5-2 loss at Toronto last season.
Valley certainly had a rough third period last night against the Pittsburgh Penguins and let the game slip away from his team. Through the first two periods, however, he did everything he could to keep his team in the game.
With that in mind, do you agree with Gross’s assessment that the team should look elsewhere for a more viable backup netminder?
Filed in: | Goal Line Report | Permalink
Tags: New+York+Rangers, Pittsburgh+Penguins, Steve+Valiquette,
Comments
He had a tough night to be sure. The mistake behind his net cost him. I thought he would stop Crosby’s third goal. The Dupuis goal was really surprising. Malkin’s goal was questionable, but the puck got out front pretty quickly.
In his defense, Crosby’s first goal was just an excellent shot to the top shelf, just as was Kennedy’s tip of Letang’s one-timer.
Posted by Tony from Virginia Beach, VA on 11/29/09 at 12:01 PM ET
The problem stems from far more than just Vali himself.
Vali is by no means a stellar goaltender. He will RARELY steal you games, and that means your D needs to be tighter than EVERY if they plan to win it. There was rampant miscommunication amongst the D and Vali all night, not to mention the INSANE amount of blown coverage on the Rangers’ part.
Posted by Jimmy on 11/29/09 at 01:43 PM ET
Look at his reactions on the 3rd period goals. He’s dejected, not with himself, but for the fact that no one’s helping him out. Tortorella should’ve pulled him the first time he rolled his eyes after giving up a goal. It wouldn’t have affected the outcome…except now they have a BACKUP with his confidence blown to bejesus and back. Lundqvist is still giving up a crazy amount of goals every night because the Rangers can’t play defense (nor can they really play offense).
Tagging this on him is nonsense. He’s spider man not the incredible hulk folks!
Posted by stoneman from vegas on 11/29/09 at 09:16 PM ET
Add a Comment
Please limit embedded image or media size to 575 pixels wide.
Add your own avatar by joining Kukla's Korner, or logging in and uploading one in your member control panel.
Captchas bug you? Join KK or log in and you won't have to bother.
Commenting is not available in this weblog entry.
Most Recent Blog Posts
Rangers’ Best Players Come Through in Win Over the Flyers
Richards Wins It for the Blueshirts
Blueshirts Looking for Offense
Rangers Do It Again Over the Flyers
Jamie Shalley of NHL Home Ice Stops By To Talk Puck
About Goal Line Report
Patrick has a tremendous passion for hockey. Besides covering the Rangers and the NHL for Kukla’s Korner, you can also find Patrick’s work over at RLD Hockey, Rangers Tribune, and TheGoodPoint.com.
Prior to writing for the above mentioned outlets, you could find Patrick’s musings at hockey web sites/outlets such as TheHockeyNews.com, The Fourth Period, Spector’s Hockey, Hokeja Vestnesis, Blueshirt Bulletin, SNYRangersBlog.com and many more.
For questions, comments and hip checks, feel free to e-mail Patrick at .(JavaScript must be enabled to view this email address).
Watch great hockey at a low price with Dish Network Specials
When learning from experts it’s best to learn personally from them, or from their blog. We can provide that with poker lessons blog, your home to learn poker personally.
Do you get shocked from the luck in the game of poker? Stop getting shocked and start being a Poker Shoker
I have long wondered how it is that Stephen Valiquette is in the NHL. So, yes, I think the Rangers need a new backup goalie. But he’s not what’s wrong with this team. Donald Brashear and Sean Avery showed what is wrong with this team last night. Tortorella needs to kick some frakin a*s in NYC.
Posted by Harrald The Red on 11/29/09 at 10:10 AM ET