Rangers vs Flames: Looking At Marian Gaborik's Hot Start
by Kevin Power on Oct 20, 2011 12:26 PM EDT
in New York Rangers Analysis
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PrintWhile there has not been a lot going right for the Rangers over the first 4 games; namely the lazy, sloppy penalties and leaky defense that has been saved by the King. There have been a few things going right for the Blueshirts in this young season.
Marian Gaborik has begun to look like the Gaborik of the 2009-2010 season, starting the season with 3 goals in 4 games. His skating looks much better and he seems to be skating more in high traffic areas getting into the offensive zone and shooting the puck more on net instead of skating wide along the boards and dumping the puck off.
A couple of factors for this that I've seen are:
1) He is not the primary puck carrier going into the offensive zone. Last season there were numerous instances where Gaborik would bring the puck into the offensive zone by himself, allowing the opposing defense to swarm him and clog up any passing and shooting lanes. This season, Gaborik has found early success this year by letting his line mates (Brad Richards and Derek Stepan) work to get the puck into the offensive zone with creative passing, Gaby would be allowed to skate into the open ice areas and set up for shots and passes giving him better looks
2) Brad Richards. It is hard to discount the early returns that we have seen from Brad Richards and his impact on Marian Gaborik, not only does Richards have three assists on all of Gaborik's goals this year, but more noticeable is that Richards is getting Gaborik room. When those two are on the ice, the defense can't just flock to Gaborik because Richards will be left open and vice versa. Also, Gaborik seems to be more comfortable out there knowing that he's going to get the puck from a guy who knows how to play on the 1st line
Gaby has looked a lot better thus far in the young season and that's only with 54:92 TOI. Imagine what could happen if the Rangers can stop taking penalties and start drawing some?
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Agree with the evaluation of his year so far.
I also think he’s gotten back to good health that was probably absent from last year after his shoulder injury and then later on his concussion. Last year he seemed to have nothing on his shot, particularly from longer range and when he was forced to carry the puck closer to the net he couldn’t beat everyone. Having his shot back and more time and space created by Richards should hopefully lead to a lot more, “Rangers goal scored by #10, Marian Gaborik”.
by MyFavBaseballSquadron on Oct 20, 2011 12:49 PM EDT reply actions
Imagine what could happen if the Rangers can stop taking penalties and start drawing some?
Yeah, I can imagine.. We would have to go on the PP.
we need to start playing consistant 5-5 hockey cuz we have no chance on the powerplay and we r at our best even strenght
by rangers4life on Oct 20, 2011 3:11 PM EDT up reply actions
I think Gaborik was playing injured last year
the more I see him this year, the more I realize how “off” he was last year.
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Yea, night and day difference IMHO
by teknics on Oct 20, 2011 1:13 PM EDT via mobile up reply actions
I predict that Rangers will score their first PP goal tonight and that would be Callahan.
by 68 Forever on Oct 20, 2011 1:26 PM EDT via iPhone app reply actions
If he keeps this up I'll need to change my name.
Already working on another..Wolski and EC are easy targets.
by Gabby the Gutless Sniper on Oct 20, 2011 1:34 PM EDT via mobile reply actions
EC is definitely the new whipping boy. I don’t think I’ll ever understand the need for fans to hate their own players for the sake of hatred.
I just stick with hating cam talbot, much easier.
by teknics on Oct 20, 2011 1:52 PM EDT via mobile up reply actions
EC
Is as usefule as A-Rod in the playoffs.
Avery should have never been sent down. Granted his skills are diminishing, at least he hits people and puts forth an effort.
OUCH MY ELBOW HURTS!
Moot point when wolski returns as he will be in the press box nightly.
by GAThingy on Oct 20, 2011 2:12 PM EDT via mobile up reply actions
Some early ones that didn't make the short list..
Where’s Wolski?
EC The Terrible
by Gabby the Gutless Sniper on Oct 20, 2011 5:44 PM EDT via mobile up reply actions
EC the once in a blue moon sniper
EC the “I show up eventually” sniper
EC the pressbox sniper
by teknics on Oct 20, 2011 6:46 PM EDT via mobile up reply actions
i dont know about that.
It seems to me as though the brass in Calgary are the ones who should be booed. Erixon isn’t the reason for any of their troubles, and shouldn’t be blamed for it.
Flyers take it up the ass, doo dah, doo dah, Flyers take it up the ass, all lah doo lah day.
by FIRESATHER327 on Oct 20, 2011 3:06 PM EDT via mobile up reply actions
EC
It’s hard to defend a guy who plays with no balls and even less heart. I’d like to see Avery come back as well although I don’t see that happening with Torts comments about him at the end of camp.
It's Not Hard to Defend a Guy Who Plays with No Balls and Even Less Heart
You just nudge him off the puck.
EC
Is he still on the team? I keep hearing you all talk about EC, but I have yet to see this “player.” It’s reminiscent perhaps of Bigfoot. Rumors abound, but no one ever sees it.
Do the coaches know they are only dressing 11 forwards?
rumors say that he emerges during a phenomenon called a “shootout”
I listen to Enter Sandman before taking exams. I wear the exact same jersey every Giants game. The Rangers goal song goes off in my head when I achieve small successes in life.
HEN-RIK
by BombersGmenBlueshirts25 on Oct 20, 2011 4:08 PM EDT up reply actions
Zuccarello
been reading some Norwegian and Swedish newspapers. Looks like Zuccarello wants to fight his way back into NHL, hopefully w Rangers.
been a lot of rumors that he was going back to Sweden or KHl.
But he says that Rangers doesen’t have a position for him atm, but that he are willing to wait and see.
Gaborik’s def been playing better, but that goal against Vancouver was all McD
I listen to Enter Sandman before taking exams. I wear the exact same jersey every Giants game. The Rangers goal song goes off in my head when I achieve small successes in life.
HEN-RIK
by BombersGmenBlueshirts25 on Oct 20, 2011 4:09 PM EDT reply actions
A well timed push by gabby took Hamhuis’ chance of defending McD away, he could have step up into McD if gabby didn’t give a little push. Plus fighting off 2 defenders in front of the net wasn’t that easy.
Obviously it was mostly McD but it wasn’t as simple as just a tap-in, in my eyes.
Not that gabby deserves praise for that goal, obviously.
by teknics on Oct 20, 2011 4:23 PM EDT via mobile up reply actions
nose for the net
that’s how gabby scores—sure he has a lethal shot and can skate, but he scores A LOT of those tap-in goals—goal scorers score a lot of “easy goals” because they know where to be on the ice.
I’d agree with that. In 2009 it seemed like he was always in the right place at the right time.
I listen to Enter Sandman before taking exams. I wear the exact same jersey every Giants game. The Rangers goal song goes off in my head when I achieve small successes in life.
HEN-RIK
by BombersGmenBlueshirts25 on Oct 20, 2011 5:21 PM EDT up reply actions
Possible because in 2010..
He could’t react quickly due to head injury, couldn’t take contact due to the shoulder injury and most definitely was a step off his normal pace due to lower body injury.
by Gabby the Gutless Sniper on Oct 20, 2011 5:47 PM EDT via mobile up reply actions
You got me. I’m the classic Gabby apologist. Can’t help myself.
by Gabby the Gutless Sniper on Oct 20, 2011 6:22 PM EDT via mobile up reply actions
hows this for an excuse?
his fiance left him last year, which is true. it was all over slovakia news.
he was having relationship issues which im sure contributed to his mental game.
hes got a new lease on life this season as well, after losing two of his best friends.
tell me, when was the last time you lost your fiance, and two of your best friends? we need to be pulling for him this year. hes the main cog to our offense alongside richards. he needs us as much as we need him.
so far, so good. he looks like an absolute beast through 5 games, and hes got 4 goals. fifth highest GPG average so far in the league.
by MyNameIsJohnnyMotto on Oct 21, 2011 1:16 AM EDT up reply actions
I think Gaborik just like he did last year
Except now his shots are going into the net at a much more better rate and much more in line with what you would expect
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