Rangers Power Play Threatening to Undermine Special Season
Throughout the season, the Blueshirts five-on-five play has made-up for a dreadful power play, but last night their ineptness finally caught up to them.
When you're defeated by a single goal, the glaring deficiencies with the man advantage stick out like a sore thumb.
And boy are the power play numbers ugly (via New York Post): 1-for-24 in their last 10 games, 2-for-37 in the last 15 and 4-for-55 in the last 21 matches. They have also failed on their last 26, 5-on-4 advantages covering a stretch of 45:23.
And John Tortorella looks completely lost on how to fix it. When asked what can be done to rectify this by Sam Rosen after an 0-for-3 performance during the Blueshirts 4-3 shootout loss to the Devils last night, the Rangers coach had no answers.
How about traffic in front of the net? How about Carl Hagelin on the side boards? How about players actually moving?
And if none of these things can be accomplished with the current roster, then the Blueshirts need to bring someone in. Whether it's a trade or recalling Mats Zuccarello.
This team has had too special of a season up until this point to have it ultimately undermined by the power play.
As the season grows shorter the games will become tighter, meaning the power play will become that much more significant. And that's even before the playoffs start when every power play opportunity could ultimately determine a game or series.
Allowing this power play to flounder for the rest of the season is not an option, as it will not only lead to the downfall of this amazing ride, but most likely Tortorella's tenure as Rangers head coach.
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They need some people who know how to actually skate the puck in the zone. I think their confidence on the PP is at an all time low, their decision making is horrbile. Seems they always shoot/pass at the wrong times.
Forget the stats for a sec - Ranger power plays are a momentum killer. Going to be a lot harder now and in the play-offs to get that important momentum back. Players need to stop hanging their heads and just play.
needs to get better, If we were middle of the pack we would be leaps and bound a head of people in the league. Though having an amazing pk helps
The team has had a magical season so far, but it will all be for naught if they do not resolve the PP. Additionally, there are too many guys still contributing little to this team so far... and you know who you are!
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Let's not get too panicked. The PP does need to improve, no doubt, but of Cup winners in the 2000's, 3 have had regular season PPs in the top 5 (Detroit 2x and Anaheim). Everyone else has been 16th or lower. Hell the Devils were dead last in PP in 2003! On the other side, 7 of the last 9 Cup winners had a PK in the top 10. Right now Rangers are 25th PP and 3rd PK. The playoffs are a crap shoot, some teams are not great in the regualr season but have a lot of success in the post season PP chances, while her teams go the opposite direction. I would love to see signs of improvement in the PP, but I'm not overly concerned as long as the PK is good.
@thenyrblog the trading deadline will be interesting..i think rangers will do something to help power play
@thenyrblog defense and hank are why were #1, but we need to score to win a cup, defense will wear down soon
@ChasingStevel @thenyrblog why will the defense wear down soon? team defense wins games..breaking up this team for a goal scorer is stupid
@bigredonemed @ChasingStevel Agreed that the Rangers should avoid trading any piece of the future at the trade deadline.
@ChasingStevel its nice to score more always is but in fact only twelve teams have scored more goals and goals against best in league
@bigredonemed but a team that doesnt score cant keep the puck out forever, hes a role player, as is most our team, need to score
@thenyrblog not many of our players would, were lucky to have strong d and a people work well on d together but eventually every fort falls
@ChasingStevel there is more to hockey than scoring Boyle very vauable ..glad ur not a gm
@ChasingStevel No problem sending away any player you mention, although none of them will bring back any value.
@thenyrblog gotta separate fan favorite from future, avery is fan fav but not future but nyr fans woudnt trade him
@thenyrblog depends who you consider future, i dont consider boyle future, i think hes peaked, feds, AA,
@thenyrblog stay pat and continue with youth..what about boston u chris krieder available after college hockey is over..heard good things
@thenyrblog im all about keeping youth but cant waste henriks prime,We have no goalies in the system. I agree has to be right deal
@Michael99420 I'd have to see the trade. NYR setting themselves up 2 contend 4 next decade would hate to see them blow it for just this yr.
@thenyrblog At the same hat though, henrik is in his prime, now is the time if we can get a legit piece to go for it...
@thenyrblog cannot do much about last night - unlucky bounce to tie game we pretty much controlled
