Rangers planning to stick with unique first power-play unit
The Rangers' five forward experiments in the first Power Play unit did not bring Manup goals in the Maple Leafs defeat on Friday night. However, with regular PP quarterback Adam Fox getting out of the lineup due to an upper body injury, head coach Peter LaViolet was able to stick to integrity at least for […]
Chris Kreider’s power-play whiff emblematic of key Rangers issue
NHL's best power play, the last six months of the internet front, had a pack on his stick near the Carolina Net Wide Open after the perfect backdoor pass. However, Chris Crider could not completely control the pack because the pack slipped in the stick. 0 games for cane. The most powerful play in the […]
Mika Zibanejad dumped from Rangers’ awful top power-play unit
SUNRISE, Fla. — Head coach Peter Laviolette has experimented with removing struggling Mika Zibanejad from the initial power play unit mid-game in the past, most recently in a 6-2 loss against Tampa Bay on Saturday night. I tried it when I lost. But during Sunday's fast-paced practice, Zibanejad was demoted to the second unit in […]
Chris Kreider ended Rangers’ power-play drought at perfect time
Highlights from Game 6, where the Rangers defeated the Hurricanes 5-3 on Thursday night to advance to the Eastern Conference Finals. 1. Chris Kreider Who else but Kreider, who gave the Rangers the lead with a natural hat trick in the third period after Carolina led 3-1 through the first 40 minutes? Chris Kreider told […]
Patrick Roy’s power-play changes immediately pay off for Islanders
Patrick Roy said just a few days ago that he is not considering revamping the power play unit despite its struggles. Clearly, something has changed. The Islanders deployed a new 5-on-4 style on Tuesday, and it immediately paid off. Matt Barzal fed Bo Horvat from the back of the net to set up the goal […]
Rangers’ power-play gamble could provide needed breakthrough
Peter Laviolette’s decision was a risky one, especially considering entering Sunday the Rangers had only scored one power-play goal in their previous eight games. When Mathieu Barzal was whistled for hooking, Laviolette directed Igor Shesterkin to the bench. He knew the 4-on-3 setup could be a “tough power play” — and if the Rangers didn’t […]
Rangers trying to break power-play funk after lineup change didn’t work
Despite the talent and precision that propelled the unit to No. 1 overall rankings earlier this season, and even though the team is currently on a five-game winning streak, Peter Laviolette has helped the Rangers solve a suddenly ineffective power play. I understand what I need to do. And he fully believes they will. The […]