Torts — Start Coaching To Your Players’ Strengths, Not Weaknesses!

I had to watch last night’s game from inside the Garden.  Tough to complain about live hockey, but this was one of those game’s that you feel justified doing so about.  What a brutal second period.  The Sabres are good, but not that good.  It was like we forgot how to pass (which prevented us from forechecking).  Why do the Rangers insist on being 15 feet from one another before they attempt a pass?  How about spreading the ice a bit.  Use some imagination.  Have confidence in your abilities.  It’s beyond pathetic at this point.  Saw some stat about how we’ve won only 11 of 38 games this year in which we’ve held the opponent to 2 goals or fewer.  I am willing to bet our record was better, much better, last year.
 
Not to toot my own horn…but Gaborik started the game on the third line.  I called that in my blog.  (I also called a 4-2 win, but we’ll move pass that.)  The way the team’s been not scoring since Gabby returned and the spark he gave playing with Anisimov and Avery, what about making this a permanent line for a while.  If it will make hockey purists, or Gaborik, happy call this line the “first line.”  At least then our second and third lines will be rolling again, like against Ottawa and Pittsburgh.
 
Why was Christensen benched in the third/OT!?!?!?  I know he messed up on the goal, but he’s been playing real well the last few games.  Certainly better than most Rangers.  Some players just need to know they will still play even if they err.  From all of his well thought out and introspective interview answers Christensen clearly is one of those players.  He lacks confidence (he admits that!).  So why stick him in the corner with the dunce cap on for one mistake?  Torts has a singular way of coaching.  Not every player responds to the hard love approach.  So change it up.  Actually coach.  Stop shoe-horning players into one mold.  It’s like at the Oscars when they present the recipients for best actor.  Some actors give the Colin Farrell introduction (remember the trip to Mexico…) and some the Forest Whitaker (over the top melodramatic).  Whatever works for the particular person.   Try it Torts.