R3, G4: The Double Edged Sword Of Truculence

Not to get all Brian Burke on you but truculence is one of the pillars of this sport of hockey that we love (and a fun word to say). It is a byproduct of the passion that its players have for winning. 'I want to win more than you do and I will do anything and everything in my power to do it.' When truculence is harnessed, it is as powerful as a slapshot. But when it gets loose, it hurts more than it helps.

In the first period Ryan McDonagh battled with Adam Henrique and was goaded into fighting. The Rangers have needed a good fight or three in recent weeks but never got it. And they didn't get it this time either. McDonagh lost his mind and his gloves and got 5 minutes for his trouble. The shame he was feeling in the box was heightened when the Devils scored a few minutes later, all but sealing their victory given the circumstances - the zombie-like effort given by the Blueshirt offense.

But, as mentioned, truculence is a tool for good as well and it was used as such in the third period. Mike Rupp, likely the best Ranger all night (man it pains me to write that), capped off his performance with a great hit on Peter Harrold. The ref inexplicably called a rough on the clean check and, perhaps responding to a wisecrack from Brodeur, Rupp gave the goaltender a little shove. Brodeur did his usual acting routine and a scrum broke out. Torts went nuts on the Devils' OHL coach and, of little surprise, the team responded soonafter by breaking Brodeur's shutout. It was not a coincidence, and it should have came two periods prior.

No matter how the media want to build shot blocking up, the success secured by the Rangers so far this season has been through the proper use of truculence, whether it be Prust fighting to set the mood or Callahan hitting everything that moves. The Blueshirts win when they channel that violence and use it to dictate play. Recent games have seen them reacting, not acting - and they have indeed escaped with a few wins - but they will not get the big win unless they start using that truculence again the right way.

The only way.

Late Hits:

*Del Zastrous. If the excuse is indeed a death in his family then he shouldn't have been playing. As the saying goes, if you aren't all there you shouldn't be there at all. And if he took the night off to mourn, no one would have blamed him for it (not even me, grandmas are special). But this begs the question, what is his excuse for making those same mistakes throughout the season?

*DZ's benching was a major topic of conversation but where was Arty Anisimov in this one?

*And, hell, where was Brad Richard$? Twenty quiet minutes of ice time. The best players need to be the best players and Parise was the Devils' best player. As mentioned above, I believe Mike Rupp was the best Ranger. Ugh.

*Have to ask again, why would Prust have headhunted Volchenkov? The Devils defender opened the door for a Ranger comeback at the end of the first period with a bad penalty. Sadly the Rangers were only able to get one good chance in the two minutes - from Kreider (who else?) - and Brodeur made his best save of the night.

*Carl Hagelin, the Swedish Scourge of the NHL. A serial offender! Credit to the Ranger PK for killing both ridiculous, fabricated penalties off. Wonder what would have happened had he scored off of the Salvador turnover in the first period, as Zajac made it a 2-0 game a minute or so later.

*Might be nice for Boyle to recapture whatever magic he had before the first round headshot right about now. He hasn't been using his size, he hasn't been going to the tough parts of the ice, he hasn't done much of anything. Except grow some great facial hair. So at least he has that going for him.

*Said for a long time that the Rangers are the Kings East or the Kings are the Rangers West as the teams have such similar constitutions. Sutter pointed out the other day that L.A. scores a lot of goals off deflections and through traffic - which is clearly the case with the Rangers as the Blueshirts D keeps putting up points. Feds got his goal by using a Devil D as a screen, Gabby would be wise to follow suit. Brodeur is easily getting a bead on the puck as it leaves the Slovak's stick.

*Anyone want to go fish Sean Avery's skates out of the Hudson for him? But seriously, if Dubi and Zuke are able to take contact, they should certainly be given a shot in Game 5 - this team needs some fresh legs.

*Saw that Ranger fans were allowed to skate on the Garden ice ahead of the viewing party. That is awesome, credit to the team for finally being fan-friendly. That being said, I'm quite glad I didn't use a vacation day from work to go either to the game or the Garden.

*PHW Three Stars
3-Bryce Salvador - one goal and one assist.
2-Martin Brodeur - 28 saves.
1-Zach Parise - two goals and one assist.

Scotty Hockey Three Stars
3-Zajac - Travis has chemistry with Parise thanks to spending many seasons together. There is little to no chemistry among the Ranger forwards.
2-Salvador - Turnover to Hagelin aside, solid game from Salvador. Three goals in the playoffs, none in 82 regular season games.
1-Parise - Don't care what team he ends up on next year as long as it is out West.

 R3, G4: The Double-Edged Sword of Truculence in NHL Playoffs

In the crucible of the NHL playoffs, every team seeks an edge, a way to gain an advantage over their opponents. Physicality and truculence have long been strategies employed by teams to assert dominance on the ice. Game 4 of Round 3 showcased the potency of this approach but also highlighted its pitfalls. In this article, we'll explore the concept of truculence in the NHL, dissect Game 4's events, and address frequently asked questions (FAQs) related to the use of physicality in playoff hockey.

Section 1: The Truculence Factor

Defining Truculence: Truculence is a term used in hockey to describe physical aggression, grit, and a willingness to engage in physical battles, often through body checks and fights.

Historical Context: The NHL has a rich history of teams employing a truculent style of play, aiming to intimidate opponents and establish a physical presence.

Section 2: Game 4's Showcase

Game 4 of Round 3 served as a microcosm of the truculence strategy:

Physical Dominance: We'll delve into how one team asserted physical dominance, controlling the pace of the game with body checks and aggressive play.

Impact on Momentum: The effects of this physicality on momentum swings, power plays, and goals scored during the game.

Consequences: How excessive truculence can lead to penalties, ejections, and an inability to capitalize on opportunities.

Section 3: The Double-Edged Sword

Truculence, while powerful, comes with inherent risks:

Penalty Troubles: Excessive physical play often results in penalties, which can put a team at a numerical disadvantage.

Injury Concerns: The physical toll on players can lead to injuries, potentially sidelining key contributors.

Strategic Adaptation: Opponents can adapt to a truculent style by focusing on discipline and taking advantage of power plays.

Section 4: Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) - Truculence in Playoff Hockey

Let's address some common questions about the use of truculence in the NHL playoffs:

Do all NHL teams employ a truculent style in the playoffs?

No, not all teams rely on truculence. Some prioritize speed, skill, and finesse, while others lean into physical play.

Can truculence be an effective strategy in the playoffs?

Yes, truculence can disrupt opponents' game plans and create scoring opportunities, but it must be balanced with discipline.

What is the role of an enforcer in a truculent strategy?

An enforcer is a player known for their physicality and willingness to fight. They aim to deter opponents from taking liberties with their teammates.

Section 5: Conclusion

The double-edged sword of truculence in NHL playoffs is a reflection of the sport's intricate balance between aggression and discipline. While physical play can energize a team and tilt the scales in their favor, it must be wielded judiciously to avoid penalties, injuries, and strategic pitfalls. As we continue to witness the ebb and flow of truculence in playoff hockey, one thing remains clear: it is a tool in a team's arsenal, but like any tool, it must be used with precision and care. In the end, victory in the NHL playoffs often belongs to the team that can harness the power of truculence while avoiding its costly consequences.