The New York Rangers might be off to a slow start, but don’t let the 2-3-0 record fool you — this is a good hockey team. On this week’s episode of ‘Up In The Blue Seats’, Mollie Walker and Brian Boyle break down how this year’s team looks through the first 5 games. From improved defensive structure and buy-in under new head coach Mike Sullivan to Shesterkin’s steady play in net, the Rangers are showing signs of a strong foundation — even if the offense has struggled at MSG.
Plus the crew gives injury updates on key players and how that could effect the Rangers moving forward. All that and more on the newest episode of ‘Up in the Blue Seats’.
Timecodes:
00:00- Intro
1:25- Rangers off to 2-3-0 start
8:45- Historic scoreless streak at MSG
12:29- Vincent Trocheck placed on LTIR
16:20- Other injuries & roster moves
21:58- Adam Fox’s impact, Gavrikov’s slow start
27:34- Panarin’s early season struggles
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40 Comments
Last night was a great game. They got "skinned" by Edmontons goalie. Kep playing this hard & they will do just fine.
Very happy with the effort! IMO I think this team will be fine as long as they keep playing the same way!
No!!!!!!!!!
Guaranteed they will
No disrespect to Brooksie, but I genuinely enjoy being able to hear Brian get several full uninterrupted sentences out of his mouth when Brooksie's not around.
Yep, they are a good hockey team. They can't score, but they are a good hockey team.
Could not agree more. Worried about the injuries but next man up, let's see what they have. They're gonna play to the back of their card. I love Ovie and McDavid with zero. Gonna win a lot more than lose with that formula.
Compared to last year and compared to what I was expecting this year, I'm fine with what I'm seeing. We've got a team that can and will always play hard and a team that is playoff bound.
I love that people take a historically bad record and go yeah everything is fine. By definition you have to be a historically bad team to make a historically bad record. A team from 1929 is the next competition where scoring a goal a game was normal. Saying this is a good team is a joke just like saying our GM and Owner are good.
I hope I'm 100% wrong and you optimists are right, but I've been a fan for too long to not know this is the start of the dark era. Where we never field a truly competitive team but never truly suck so we can commit to a rebuild 100%. And this will go on till Shersterkin is no longer playing. And the majority of this fan base is too stupid to understand that not going to games is the only way things will change. Instead they will keep swallowing the happy juice and before you know it 2044 will be upon everyone and the team still won't have a cup win since 1994. Hopefully Dolan dies before than and his son is a little bit better at running a sports franchise. We can dream cant we?
I'd like to score at home, but too early to panic. If we're in the same boat come November, I'll have a lot more to say 😮
🍞 And Laffy Are 🤡s
I agree the defense has been much better !!!
The third line is going to evolve as the season goes on, losing Trocheck for a bit is kick in the nuts.
"You are what your record says you are". A famous NYC area coach. Never forget that.
I'm a little more pessimistic than these two. They aren't generating offense, and I think there are gaping issues in the rangers top 6. I don't think Mika looks good like people are saying, and I think Panarin looks really off, similar to when he played perimeter hockey in the playoffs 2 years ago.
Brian Boyle is a helluva athlete and a man’s man. Hard for me to argue a Professional hockey player. However Mike Sullivan took over a Pittsburgh team with peak Sidney Crosby, Malkin, Letang, Fleury. Maybe this Ranger team is better than the insurrectionists but their lack of depth is disturbing. I have more questions than answers. Love this segment btw.
Agree 100% with point you guys make about playing 'in a good structure in all three zones'. They look so much better than they did last year. Hopefully the results (goals) will come over time if they stick with it. That being said, I do not think the talent on this team is enough. League has gotten faster, bigger, grittier…they just do not have enough to be a serious contender.
Is Mika still on the team…… You can’t have the softest player in the NHL be our goal scorer
Finally, the voices of reason and rational thought….have returned.
Good episode.
Thank you, Brian and Molly.
The goals will come, if you win 50 games in a season you lose 32, losing 3 or 4 in the front isn't great, but better to work things out in the front and get on the right page then have big lapses later. I'm fine with things right now
The teams that make the playoffs always start their season slow. This Ranger team has opened up my eyes with their different style of game. I remember back then when Ryan Callahan played for the team their style was fast which created many breakaways and this Ranger team will create such a style that will crest more scoring chances. They still have that lingering slow style that gives the other team the chance to setup specially on a PP. Losing two games 1-0 then 2-0 last goal on a empty goal proves to me they’re going in the right direction but the offense still needs a lot of work. Peace.
Great episode
Last i checked, you win hockey games by outscoring your opponent. Short leash with this pat on the back, good effort stuff.
There was a total buy in at the beginning of Lavys tenure 2 years ago on defense and look what happened
Will not make the playoffs. The team sucks same old rangers excuse excuse excuse. 1 bloody cup since 1994
They are better at getting shut out at home for a record number of games to start the season.
Agree that Pararin is an excellent player but he is not a playoff player because he does not perform well in playoff . This was the same when he played with Chicago Blackhawks.
Great Podcast!
Eval after 5 games is premature. Despite the 3 shutouts at MSG I think the Blueshirts played well. The D was solid and on O they created a lot of good chances. I’m not concerned at this point, … the Rangers offense will come around.
Tyvm Mollie and Brian, terrific pod as always!
The goals will come
Losing record to start rhe aeason ✔️
Sets a new horrible league record: shut out in 1st 3 home games ✔️
Beat writers spinning a shitty start as good ✔️
NYR = typical garbage team which continues to disappoint. Lets all sit back for anotjet cupless season 👍
Can we get someone who's serious to run this podcast PLEASE! I actually LOVE her work, but she acts like this is funny. WE ARE SERIOUS RANGER FANS! ENOUGH of the f'n laughing!
I was skeptical about Sullivan. Happy to see the system and structure, and most critically, IMO, their EFFORT!
The top 6 has plenty of scoring potential. The goals have to come, don’t they? Wa and Edm goalies played lights out! They are trying to (succeeding so far) beat the highest paid goalie in the league. And Carrick line really pushes and presses. Love them. I am encouraged. LGR.
PS. Send Books off with Sam and Michiletti. Long past time.
Alot of ranger bootlicking fans in these commenst…..The rangers are not a good team just accept it
Rangers defense looks very good but the offense obviously needs improvement. The offense is getting good looks but the pucks aren't going in. Things must improve soon.
Every team is only as good their record… I have been hearing for a decade "this team is great on paper"… I personally don't care what a team looks like on paper if they can't deliver wins.
they are not a serious team right now…they need two 50+ pt players and have trochek return healthy, they're wasting another great goaltender's career. they're wasting $13MM/per year because without nhl level talent up front the are not going to compete for anything
This team blows this organization is pathetic lose every game please just so i can laugh @ all of u
Where is Larry??? Why no explanation??