6-1-0: Two More Points

You take the good, you take the bad, you take them both and then you have the facts of life. The facts of life! And the facts of life right now is that the Rangers have earned 12 of the first 14 possible points. But it must be said that they have done it without playing top-flight hockey. The offense still doesn't click, the defense is all over the place, the coach is juggling lines and personnel and yet the Blueshirts are now 6-1.

On Friday night they seemingly played hockey for about 5-10 minutes of their game against Toronto and escaped with a 1-0 shootout victory over the Maple Leafs. As it is late, let's get right to it:

*Perry Pearn is a terrible coach. Pearn is the Rangers assistant in charge of the Rangers power play and it was utterly ineffective, officially going 0-8. Granted two of those power plays were cut short by bad NY penalties, but 0-6 isn't much better and is just utterly unacceptable if this team is to go forward.

*On the other side of the coin, Ron Wilson is a helluva coach. He has implemented a great system that doesn't necessarily make for great hockey to watch, but it keeps the Leafs in the game. For large chunks of the game they had all five skaters below the hash marks and they did a great job interrupting the Ranger offense.

*But the key to that system was definitely Toskala, because when the Rangers started finding the net in the third period he was nothing short of brilliant. Luckily for New York, Stephen Valliquette was every bit as good and even made a few bigger saves, even if he had to get help from the iron work behind him twice.

*Before the game I told someone who didn't recognize any Leafs other than Blake and Dom Moore that he should watch Toskala because he can steal games, Nikolai Kulemin because he has a ton of talent and Jamal Mayers because he is a tough veteran who will do anything for his team. Toskala was fantastic, Kulemin scored in the shootout and Mayers rearranged Marc Staal's face in a one-sided fistfight that the young Ranger was not prepared for.

*I want to know what was different about Jonas Frogren's charging penalty in the second period and the run Patrick Kaleta made at Paul Mara on Wednesday. Frogren made more contact on Sjostrom but he also didn't leave his feet ...

*All of the talk about Nik Zherdev being quite mercurial is proving correct. Zherdev clearly has more skill than 95% of the league but he just can't seem to focus it. He seems to be a combination of former Rangers Alex Kovalev and Marty Straka. He stickhandles and turns the puck over like Kovalev and he doesn't like putting the puck on the net like Straka despite having a great shot.

*Luke Schenn has a great shot to become one helluva NHL defenseman. Schenn played nearly 26 minutes, doled out five hits and blocked five shots. And he is two weeks away from turning 19 years old.

*The Rangers youngsters were ineffective. Ryan Callahan played less than 13 minutes and never got as involved as he needs to be. Brandon Dubinsky never got into a good shooting position and had every attempt blocked. And Nigel Dawes returned to the lineup and contributed absolutely nothing, while blowing his shootout attempt. It isn't like he is a much better option than Petr Prucha but once Lauri Korpikoski gets healthy, Dawes should be done.

*Now, things worked out for the best, but you have to wonder what is up when the three shooters Tom Renney picks are Zherdev, Dawes and Freddie Sjostrom. For all of the insane money that Glen Sather gave out, Sather didn't feel good turning to Gomez, Drury, Naslund or Redden. I don't get it ...

*Interesting stat of the night: the Leafs dominated in the faceoff circle, going 33-24. That's just embarrassing for the Rangers.

*PHW Three Stars
3-Fredrik Sjostrom - Deciding shootout goal.
2-Vesa Toskala - 32 saves.
1-Stephen Valiquette - 21 saves.

Scotty Hockey Three Stars
3-Jamal Mayers - By going after Staal after Staal leveled Matt Stajan by the Ranger net, Mayers taught his young teammates (and everyone for that matter) that if you mess with one guy on the team, you mess with the entire team. I love hockey.
2-Toskala - When the Rangers realized that they were the Rangers and flooded the crease with pucks, Toskala was the boy with his thumb in the dyke.
1-Valiquette - The Ranger defense was terrible and Valley stood tall, as usual. Without him, the Leafs win this one 3-0.

 "6-1-0: Two More Points - The Thrill and Tactics of Overtime Victories in Hockey"

In the world of hockey, there's nothing quite as electrifying as an overtime victory. The score is tied, the stakes are high, and the outcome hangs in the balance. When the final buzzer sounds and the winning goal is scored, it's a moment of sheer jubilation for one team and heartbreak for the other. "6-1-0: Two More Points" encapsulates the relentless pursuit of victory in the NHL's overtime format. In this article, we'll delve into the excitement of overtime hockey, explore the tactics and strategies employed by teams, and answer frequently asked questions (FAQs) to help you better understand the dynamics of this thrilling aspect of the sport.

The Drama of Overtime Hockey

The Overtime Format

In the National Hockey League (NHL), regular-season games that end in a tie after regulation time enter a sudden-death overtime period. Each team plays with three skaters (plus a goalie) instead of the usual five. The first team to score wins the game, earning two points in the standings. If no goal is scored during the overtime period, the game proceeds to a shootout.

The Thrill of Sudden Death

Overtime hockey is a rollercoaster of emotions. It's a high-stakes showdown where every pass, shot, and save can be the difference between victory and defeat. The intensity is palpable, and the anticipation of the game-winning goal keeps fans on the edge of their seats.

The Importance of the Extra Point

The "6-1-0: Two More Points" mentality underscores the significance of those extra points earned through overtime victories. In a tightly contested league, these additional points can make the difference between making the playoffs and missing out on the postseason.

The Tactics of Overtime Hockey

Offensive Strategies

Puck Possession: Teams often prioritize puck possession in overtime. Maintaining control of the puck reduces the opponent's scoring opportunities and allows for strategic shot selection.

Line Changes: Quick line changes are crucial in maintaining fresh legs on the ice. Fatigue can lead to defensive breakdowns, so coaches carefully manage player rotations.

Aggressive Forechecking: Aggressive forechecking puts pressure on the opposing team, forcing turnovers and creating scoring chances.

Defensive Strategies

Protecting the Slot: Defensively, teams focus on protecting the high-danger areas in front of their own net. Goalies must be sharp, and defenders need to clear rebounds quickly.

Shot Blocking: Players are willing to sacrifice their bodies by blocking shots to prevent scoring opportunities.

Transition Defense: Transition defense is vital in case of turnovers. Teams need to quickly switch from offense to defense to thwart counterattacks.

Goaltending

Goaltender's Role: Goaltenders in overtime must make critical saves to keep their teams in the game. One mistake can be the difference between victory and defeat.

Shootout Skills: Goalies must also be prepared for the possibility of a shootout, where their ability to make crucial saves in one-on-one situations is paramount.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

1. Can games end in a tie during the playoffs?

No, playoff games cannot end in a tie. In the playoffs, overtime periods continue until a game-winning goal is scored, regardless of how many overtimes are required.

2. What happens if a team loses in overtime or a shootout?

If a team loses in overtime or a shootout, they earn one point in the standings. The winning team receives two points.

3. Are there any rule differences in overtime compared to regular play?

Overtime in the NHL is played with three skaters per team (plus a goalie) instead of the usual five. The ice surface remains the same size, but the reduced number of players creates more open space and scoring opportunities.

4. How is home-ice advantage determined in overtime?

In the playoffs, home-ice advantage is determined by the team's regular-season performance. The team with the better regular-season record typically has home-ice advantage in playoff games, including overtime.

5. What is the longest overtime game in NHL history?

The longest overtime game in NHL history occurred on March 24, 1936, when the Detroit Red Wings defeated the Montreal Maroons after six overtime periods. The game lasted a total of 176 minutes and 30 seconds.

"6-1-0: Two More Points" epitomizes the relentless pursuit of victory in NHL overtime hockey. It's a thrilling spectacle where the outcome hangs in the balance, and every shot, save, and play is magnified. The tactics employed by teams in overtime showcase the delicate balance between offensive aggression and defensive responsibility.

For hockey fans, overtime represents the pure essence of the sport—a test of skill, strategy, and nerves of steel. The quest for those two additional points in the standings can be the difference between a playoff berth and an early exit. As the drama unfolds in sudden-death overtime, fans and players alike are reminded of the enduring allure of hockey—the pursuit of victory, one electrifying moment at a time.