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After failing to capitalize on any of their five power-play opportunities against the Capitals on Tuesday, the Rangers are now 0-for-14 with the man advantage in their previous three contests.
Maintaining possession of the puck in the offensive zone has not been a problem. Neither team is sustaining possession or creating scoring opportunities. Their most significant flaw on the power play was on full show against the Capitals, who drove the Rangers to the perimeter and allowed them to revert to less-than-effective shooting habits.
Given that four players of the first power-play unit have been playing together for so long, Adam Fox stated to The Post that he believes the group is willing to experiment with a few different strategies. “I don’t believe we should get set in our ways. Clearly, other teams are scouting us and attempting to adjust, so I believe we must do the same. We attempt a variety of looks, some of which work and others of which do not.
As long as you’re not allowing dissatisfaction to sneak in, a lot of teams go through slumps and hot streaks on the power play, making it difficult to predict. As long as we’re receiving looks, there’s no room for frustration.”
The devotion of head coach Gerard Gallant to the first unit of Fox, Artemi Panarin, Mikhail Zibanejad, Chris Kreider, and Vincent Trocheck has further accentuated the streaks without production. In addition to personnel, the disparity in ice time between the Rangers’ two power-play units is to blame.
Unquestionably, the Rangers’ starting lineup is comprised of the team’s best players, and when they’re on, they’re on, but perhaps a couple more substitutions would be beneficial. The Rangers must find a way to adjust their power play, whether it is in terms of the set plays they want or their overall strategy.
“When it’s good, Foxy shoots a few pucks, you get deflections in front of the net, and that allows Mika and Bread to make side plays,” Gallant explained. “You cannot consistently attend the same two plays and expect them to succeed. You must perform the small tasks in front of the net and engage in combat.
“What is the Rangers’ current percentage on the power play?” [21.9] percent? We are aware that, given our potential, we should be able to perform better than this. Sure, they hit some goalposts, but the main line is that you have to put the puck in the net.
Opponents are well aware of how potent the Rangers’ power play can be. When there is no element of surprise, the Rangers have limited room for success. Zibanejad has been covered at his position in the left faceoff circle more frequently than not. Since every member of the first unit is a right-handed shooter, there is no scoring threat with Panarin in the right circle.
When asked if he has contemplated inserting a lefty to provide the Rangers with a better-suited weapon on the opposite side, Gallant stated that he is not concerned.
No, he replied. “These players are too talented to be replaced.”
»The Rangers’ power play is attempting to improve its shot attempts«