Adjustments in Rangers’ Power Play Strategy
Mike Sullivan is feeling optimistic about the Rangers’ power play, especially after some subtle shifts in strategy. Following a recent loss in Chicago, he experimented with rookie defenseman Scott Morrow on the first power-play unit but quickly reverted to a five-forward setup, a configuration used since Adam Fox was sidelined with an injury.
During practice in Tarrytown on Friday, center Mika Zibanejad took over the quarterback role for the power play, replacing winger Artemi Panarin. Sullivan commented on Zibanejad’s skills, noting, “He’s a smart player who sees the game well; he resembles Panarin in some ways.” He added, though, that Zibanejad could benefit from enhancing his defensive focus. “I admire his drive on both sides of the puck, and that’s crucial when you’re using five forwards on the power play,” Sullivan explained.
“It was a risk we were willing to take, given our current roster,” Sullivan continued. He shared that the coaching staff had considered Zibanejad for this role from the moment Fox got injured, and they saw a potential replacement in him alongside others like Bred, another player they’re evaluating.
In addition to the changes with Zibanejad, the Rangers also swapped out Will Quill for Alexis Lafreniere on the top unit. Panarin moved to a more defensive position, while JT Miller positioned himself on the right side, and Vincent Trocheck found himself further up the ice.
“These are the five players we believe will help us succeed right now,” Sullivan stated. “We’ve made positional adjustments based on what we’ve observed.” He expressed confidence in this revamped lineup, looking forward to how they will perform in Saturday’s upcoming game against the Canadiens.
Interestingly, Moreau, still relatively new at 23, wasn’t even placed on the second unit during practice, indicating a strong push for veteran defenseman Vladislav Gavrikov to lead a more experienced lineup.
Miller shared his thoughts, reflecting on the challenges of a shifting role. “This is new territory for me,” he admitted, noting that adapting to these positions—especially in Fox’s absence—has its complications. “His unique skill set has certainly made our power play much more effective.”
While the Rangers have struggled with power plays this season, being second to last in opportunities in the NHL, they haven’t converted during the five games since Fox’s injury. Miller recognized areas for improvement, saying, “We’re getting some looks, but we aren’t meeting our standards.” He urged the team to learn from their recent practices and move forward with a renewed focus.
