Hockey Night Live: Ask Al And The Maven (3/27)

Hey hockey fans, before each Rangers, Islanders and Devils games on MSG and MSG Plus the rest of the season, Stan Fischler and I will be responding to your questions on Hockey Night Live!

So, send us your questions or comments and we'll get to as many as we can. Or if you have a "Short Shift" idea for the show, definitely fire them over to us as well.

As usual, submit your inquiries in the comments section below, and check back here to see if yours was featured.

Thanks again everyone!

MORE:

• Devils, Rangers Preparing For Clash
• The Difference Between it and IT
• Who's More Primed For A Playoff Run?

Comments

[Chris H]

Short Shift idea: Best area coach.

Can a coach really have done a "good job" if a team misses the playoffs?

[Rob]

Broduer has stated in the past that he does not like how Lundqvist plays the game. Why does it seem like he never gives any credit to the Rangers, or anyone for that matter?

[Dano (not Daneko) from Daytona Beach, Florida]

Hey guys....I'm sure bye now you guys have seen the fight in a minor league game involving Patrick Roy's son...My question to you guys is do you think Roy's son should have gotten more then 7 games and Roy himself more then 5 games. If this had happened in the NHL do you think they would have gotten more then they got in a minor league game....This looked like a scene that you would see from the movie slapshot...Thanks Guys.....LETS GO RANGERS

[Bill]

Al and Stan,

1. How do each of you see the function of a "fourth line?" Is it merely a line of your offensively challenged players?

2. Does the Ranger's fourth line, as presently constituted, meet your definition?

3. What would you so to improve the contribution of the fourth line?

Thanks!

[Kourtney]

Why do you think Tom changed the top line? Jagr, Dubinsky, and Avery were a great combination and they were producing. I understand Gomez is injured but why couldn't Straka play with Shanahan and Dawes? It's sort of like Jagr's line last year with Straka and Nylander. All Jagr and Straka seem to do is pass and never shoot. We need goals this time of year not a billion passes and the "perfect" play.

[Keith B]

Stan and Al,
What do you think is in order for the Devils if they are defeated by the Rangers tonight? What are some of the moves Sutter and Lou can make?

[Danny from Whippany, NJ]

Hey Stan and Al,

Out of all the young guys in Lowell, who would be most likely to show up for the Devils in the playoffs?

Thanks
Danny from Whippany, NJ

[Steve]

Stan,

If the Rangers win tonight will Brodeur reach into his bag of excuses yet again?? I think he's still looking for that Dawes shot that went 5-hole...oh, wait, I forgot that according to Marty, Dawes missed his spot.

[shanty town]

That would be great if Dawes can score tonight. Even better, through the 5 hole again.

[Don]

Hi guys,
Seeing as how tonights game could end up in a shoot-out like so many others. What if a player is assessed a penalty that has not expired by the end of 4 on 4 overtime, would this player be eligible for the shoot-out? Thanks, Don M. South Plainfield,NJ

[chris beyer]

hey guys

ive read a bunch of stuff online about maybe giving one minute penalties instead of 2 minute penalties in overtime. Just wanted to get your thoughts/opinions on this as I think its a pretty good idea.

[Eddie Morris]

I understand the need to play conservatively this time of year, but why do you think the Rangers feel that sitting on a 1-0 lead is good enough for a win, even if they scored that goal inside the first two minutes of the game?

Do we need Herm Edwards to visit the locker room to remind the Rangers, we play to WIN the game, not to play for a sympathy overtime point?

[truthsayer]

IN THE LAST 20 YEARS, HAS ANY TEAM WON THE CUP WITH AS PATHETIC A POWER PLAY AS THE RANGERS HAVE??

[Frank]

Don't you think its about time the Rangers had a night for Phil Esposito? Or is there too much water under the bridge?

[Crazy Chet]

Is Elias the new Yashin? Or do Devils fans not care because they are winning?

[Rob]

I hope Avery knocks Broueur on the ice again...wouldn't you guys love to see that? Wonder what his excuse for that one will be.

[Bradley]

why the heck cant the rangers score goals, Why cant they execute properly, why cant they hit all those juicy rebounds, they are offensively challenged like a pee wee team, we have too minorleague teams facing each other tonight, offensively atleast, which one is going to come through, Since the devils are in a bigger slump I would imagine they will be the lucky ones tonight specially since we won 6 straight against them

[Rob]

Bradley, for all the trash you talk about the Rangers, how can you say "we"

[Ed]

Al and Stan what are your thoughts on the banishment of Dancin' Larry?

[ryan]

If the Devils and Rangers play each other in the 1st round of the playoffs what kind of affect do you think it will have on the Devils roster. I just want to know, I'm only 10.
Thank you.

[Jeremy]

Stan,

Any ideas as to who the Devils will pursue in the off-season?

[Stone]

Do you think Prucha belongs in the line up permanently?

Do you think Backman was worth trading for?

[Scott]

Hey Al and Stan,

Regardless if the Rangers go 8-0-0 against the Devils this season, would that mean anything in a playoff series between the two, given the Devils make up is for the playoffs?

[David]

Do you feel that Colin Cambell has told the refs to not call penalties aganist the Rangers because of bad blood?

[Adam Mertz]

Hey Stan,

How come on an Islander game night its all about the Rangers i don't get it just cause its MSG everything is about the Rangers even if there on looseing streak its still about the Rangers it gets old

[Jake]

What do you think will happen with Shanahan and Jagr for next year? We need them!

[Todd]

Hey Al and Stan,
I had noticed something about Henrik Lundqvist, often after making an unbelievable save using his stick or pads, he has a habit of dishing the puck right back out in front of the net which makes for some easy rebounds. Have you noticed this and is this at all a concern to him and the rest of the Rangers?

[Jessica]

I want to know what you both think of Brodeur's chances of winning the MVP award this season?

[Jeff]

At what point do Renney and the Rangers realize that Backman isn't still adjusting to the team, and is just not a good fit?

I watch him play and notice multiple turnovers per game, giving tons of scoring opportunities to teams. He plays a really lackadaisical - nonphysical game. I can think of multiple times that his poor positioning in the defensive slot has led to easy scoring opportunities. At what point do the Rangers realize that Backman just isn't the player they were expecting to get? It says a lot when you youtube a player's name and all you see is him getting put on his backside.

[Diran]

With the Rangers power play obviously beyond the coaches capability to repair, why don't the bring in a consultant? What about Messier, or even better, Leetch to work with the PP unit?

[Diran]

With the Rangers power play obviously beyond the coaches capability to repair, why don't they bring in a consultant? What about Messier, or even better, Leetch to work with the PP unit?

[Dan from Wyckoff, NJ]

Hello fellas, Do you think this is a must win game for the New Jersey Devils. A loss in tonight's game against their rivals would be demoralizing, as it would put the two teams both at 91 points. A playoff birth is still at risk with this Devils team. What do you think? Is it a must win?

-Dan

[Devin K]

Hey guys!

With the announcement of Adam Grave's #9 being raised to the rafters next year, what is your take on Ranger great Andy Bathgate, getting his name alongside Adam's?

[Mike Cioffi]

Do you guys think that there should be a 10 min over time period, and play for 2 points and if they get to a shootout than there shoud be an exter point for the winner.

[Bjo]

Have you heard anything about Sillinger retiring as a result of his hip injury?

Also, do you blame the Isles training staff for these injuries or is it just bad luck?

[David]

Hey guys, just wanted to know what was the latest that you have heard with the lighthouse project?

[Rob]

What free agents that will potentally be avalible would fit the Islanders needs?

[kerri]

Hi guys. I was just wondering. With the Devils playing the way they are do you think they have a good chance of getting far into the playoffs?

[crazyfan63]

i would like to no if u think the islanders should make any major moves to make the playoffs next season. also do you think okposo will be up next year with the isles or did they just bring him up to sell his jerseys.

[Steve McEwan]

As a fan you never want to see your team do bad, but with this great draft this year and a guy like Steve Stamkos projected to go 1st overall, I find myslef cheering more for that then the win. I can't sit and be angry when they are winning these games, but in the back of my mind I really would love to see the isles win the draft lottery and get that 1st overall pick.

Can anyone really say to this team don't play your hardest so we can get the 1st overall pick or is that in the back of the heads of managment?

[Hagy]

1.Do you think Dublowitz will play as much as Dipietro next season????

2.If a team has a power play that is going to carry into the next period, do you think they should be allowed to wait till the end of the period and take the full power play the next period???????

LETS GO ISLANDERS!!!!!!!!!!!

[David]

Hey guys
Just wanted to find out what good you think the Islanders can take out of this season?
Thanks

[Brian]

Since the Islanders aren't making the playoffs, what type of player will they look for in the first round? I know there are many great defenseman, especially in the beginning of the draft, do you think this is the way to go, or do you think they should get a first line center to play in the future with Okposo. I don't think Comrie is or will ever be a first line center, but we also don't have a franchise defensemen, what's your opinion?

[Jessi Smith]

Al & Stan,

1. Do you see the Islanders getting Hossa next season or any other high scoring free agents?

2. If Islanders finish in the bottom 5, and get 1st pick, do you see them trading the pick for a later 1st & 2nd rounder?

-Jessi

[the hugest NYR fan]

al i wanna no why they don't show the national anthem anymore i like 2 here it sung on television

[Paul (Whitestone, NY)]

If the Isles fire Nolan, this will prove that this organization continues to be clueless...and as a season ticket holder I will not renew. Nolan is the reason the Isles are where they are now...with 12 injuries.

Are we kidding here? If Nolan is fired...Snow better be going with him. The Islanders have no clue how much Nolan is liked by the fans...just clueless!!

Paul,
Whitestone, NY

[Jordan]

Hey Guys,

What happened to the theory of "if it's not broke, don't fix it"? The Rangers had three lines rolling during their streak and now Renney has decided to change the lines up. Why? I understand that he had to when Gomez went down, but now he's back so why not change them back?

[Dan]

Stan, being a former all-star hockey player that you were (haha), what would you do to get the devils to start scoring!?!

[Ribs]

Where is Peter Prucha? Why does Ryan Hollweg still have a jersey? Will Paul Mara ever go back and be first to a puck dumped behind the net? (he's a girl). Why isn't Malik in the lineup? Why are all the lines screwed up? Why isn't Shanahan getting much less ice time? Why does Tom Renney still have a job? When will the refs call a penalty on the Devils for all the holding and late hits? (not like we'd score anyway). Will the Rangers score another PP goal this season? Can someone mess with Blair Betts' rehab and make sure he stays hurt? Will Marty Straka get his offensive touch back? (he should have roofed that shot and given Brodeur no chance). Is anyone expecting to actually need their playoff tickets?

[Anthony]

Why is Fredrik Sjostrom on the 4th line?

[The Pangi's]

So how about Zach Parise's goal. i think it's about time he gets a nick name or maybe even captin what do you guys think about that change. or do you think it would be too much pressure? GO DEVS

[Ribs]

How about "midget punk, son of Islander trash"

[Bo]

I have no idea what Backman is doing?Why the heck did he not just clear it.Screw Parisi!!

[Mike]

Since when is it acceptable to not show face-offs? We see a couple of replays and when the live action comes back the face-off is done. I think it happens too much. Also, I've been watching Rangers hockey for about 40 yrs but, every once and a while, I still can't figure out why an iceing is or is not called. I think Sam and Joe do a great job (I miss JD) but if they could throw in an occasional reason for an iceing call, I'd appreciate it.

[Carl Nieves II]

Hey Stan/Al,
Please correct me if I'm wrong but didn't NHL teams used to wear their white jerseys at home, a few years back? Secondly, what happen to the days when the east played western team two times during the season and vice versa? I'm all for division games but I really think things have gotten way out of hand a little bit.

Carl II - from Roosevelt Island

[yOLANDO]

RANGERS AND iSLANDERS SUCK !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! GO DEVILS!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

[Ribs]

Yolando, Now I know what an 8th grade education will bring. Enjoy flipping burgers moron.

[Mike Gleason from Long Island]

Hi guys
Do you thing Brent Sutter is going to play Weekes at all when the devils clinch a playoff spot to give Brodeur a rest and get ready for the playoffs?

[Bo]

Ireally dont understand if Renney is ever going to play Prucha after this week!Hollwegs a joke...I mean really.

[Francine]

Hi Stan and Al-
I have searched everyone and can't find the answer. What is the Referees hand signal for
"Too many Men on the Ice"? It is not in the NHL Handbook anywhere . All the other Referee hand signals are there. Any ideas?

Thanks- and keep up the great work- love listening/watching you guys.

[Mike Gleason from Long Island]

Hi guys
Do you think Brent Sutter is going to play Weekes at all when the devils clinch a playoff spot to give Brodeur a rest and get ready for the playoffs?

[Ribs]

Hollweg and Mara -1. Hollweg with about 3 minutes of ice time. He's good, play him more Tom. Terrible!!

[Bo]

SUTTER,SUTTER,SUTTER,SUCKS HIS BRUTTA AND HIS BRUTTA AND HIS BRUTTA,AND HIS BRUTTA! Weeks sucks anyway and Brouders a girl.

[Bo]

Backman just redemed himself

[Bo]

If Renney had a brain for every time the fans boo'd someone for no reason...he would still be dumb as a stump,and he still would not play Prucha

[Bo]

If Don Vanmassenhoven [had trouble spelling that] calls one more dumb penelty in this game i wiil seriously ask for him to be fired

[Rob]

NIGEL DAWES!! WHATS YOUR EXCUSE NOW BRODUER????

[Jimbo]

Without Martin Brodeur the Devils are a last place team. Koolaid Lou has let the Devils fall apart in the last five years. While I respect how he has GM'd this team in the past, he is lost in the new NHL. He has a brand new arena stocked with K-Mart forwards. Lou has to go in order for the Devils to ever be competitive again. I believe the Devils will lose every game and fail to make the playoffs. It's tough being a Devils fan these days.

[Rob]

When I went to the Rock last week for devils/rangers I was talking to some Devils fans who said that place is sad and empty when its not a Rangers game. Imagine how its going to be when theyre not good?

[Bill]

Hollweg dresses and Prucha sits...

Guess those three minutes of quality time from Hollweg are important to Renney. What? Oh? The fourth line gave up another goal in only three minutes?

[Rob]

Yeah...I know Hollweg can play center...but I can't imagine Shoo or Pru playing center much worse than Hollweg

[Carty]

Hey Al and Stan! First off, you guys are absolutely great! I am a HUGE die-hard Ranger fan and I am getting pretty tired of Brodeur as of... well... EVER! This year alone, he gave no credit to the Rangers for anything at all. No credit on 2 shootout goals (most recent was Dawes when Brodeur was quoted stating that Dawes fanned on the shot when Dawes completely froze Brodeur) and Now he was quoted saying "The way he plays is not something I like too much. Lundqvist is weird." WHATS THE HECK IS UP WITH THAT???? I understand Brodeur is a good goalie, but what is your take on his complete arrogance and blind vision when it comes to his analization of his own gameplay?
Thanks Guys,
Carty

[gil]

why doesn't renney play prucha and move drury up a line?

[gil]

whats up with broduer lunqvist is just as "wierd" as broduer and this year henrik has been better so to get back at him and say he is wierd is flat iut wrong. it shows how big broduers mouth is

[Jim]

Shanny should have moved to 4th line center and Hollweg sit. That move alone would have freed a spot for Prucha. This game is like chess and I am sure many of us could beat Renney in checkers. Two aging playmakers should not be on the first line with a first year developing player. Renney has learned nothing during our point streak. The veterans should have been distributed evenly throughout the lineup. Balance! He made this game allot harder than it had to be.

[Bill]

Help me out guys (and Agravaine!)

Colton Orr: MINUS 13 (team worst)

Ryan Hollweg: MINUS 12 (almost team worst)

Petr Prucha: PLUS 4

So why do Hollweg and Orr play while Prucha rides the bench?

Actually, I was at last night's game and noted that once the fourth line couldn't clear the puch and Elias scored, they were virtually invisible... less than 4 minutes playing time.

So why is Prucha still a scratch.

On a somewhat related question, Malik is PLUS 9, compared to Mara's PLUS 1. So why did Renney bench Malik (who has been playing well) in favor of Mara and Backman.

I sometimes think the coaching staff has managed to turn a potentially great team into a slightly above average team with their ridiculous player personnel decisions.

[JeffS]

Devil fan down on Teflon Lou,

Hey Stan and Dano. Plesae tell Devil fans why they should pay more money to seat in higher seats at the Rock to watch Pando and Madden try to stop superstars that we can't have or don't keep and hope Marty stands on his head to make one goal hold up. That formula didn't work in last years playoffs, Yet Lou wants us to believe it will work this year without Gomez and Rafalski.

People can diss Devil fans all they want. The entertainment value is not thre for the money. I went to both games against Pitt with my family (total $560) We saw one Devil goal. Just once I'd like to hear the players thank the fans after a W or regret they didn't do better after a loss. Devil fans are treated like they don't exist.

[David]

What is the best lineup for the Rangers to use in the playoffs? If anything happens to Gomez, it looks like the Rangers will have no chance of making it past the first round.

[Devils Fan]

If you look at the replay of the roughing call White got against Avery in last night's game against the Rangers, you clearly see that Avery looks behind him sees Brodeaur laying on the ice and intentionally falls back on top of the goalie. This dirty play by Avery could have been very dangerous but he never seems to get the calls against him. If the refs were indeed looking in that direction to see White's "roughing" they would have caught that. Where was the call against Avery for diving or roughing. He is a dirty player that for some reason gets handled with kid gloves and is bad for Hockey! Maybe Toronto needs to review the ref's ...