Changes for Rangers Offense Following Slow Start
The Rangers have struggled in the first month of the season, recording the fewest goals of any team and having a power play that just isn’t getting the job done.
Despite winning three games in a row, their loss to Carolina at home prompted coach Mike Sullivan to shake things up a bit. His goal? To kickstart the offense.
One notable change is Will Quill moving up to the top power play unit, taking over for Alexis Lafreniere.
During practice in Tarrytown on Thursday, as the Rangers readied for their Friday game in Detroit, Quill skated alongside Lafreniere and Noah Raba, while a struggling Artemi Panarin was paired with Mika Zibanejad and Taylor Radish.
Vincent Trocheck, recovering from an upper body injury, practiced in a non-contact jersey again on Thursday. He’s eligible to come off long-term injured reserve but won’t be playing on Friday.
When asked about the changes, Sullivan mentioned that revisions to the power play were likely after the issues against the Hurricanes, accepting that the team needed to generate more offense.
“We just weren’t satisfied with our production,” he shared. “It’s not just that we’re not creating chances. We need to find a way to score.”
The Rangers’ rocky start includes a unique record, losing their first six home games for the first time in franchise history (0-5-1 at Madison Square Garden), despite having a solid 6-1-1 record on the road.
Heading into Detroit, they’re riding three consecutive road wins, where they seem to be finding a groove in scoring.
However, the team believes their home problems are more of a fluke than a severe issue. Sullivan highlighted their playing style as a key focus. “We need to fight harder to get to the net,” he remarked. “I think we can get more there.”
He emphasized the importance of being physical and making life difficult for opposing goalies, relying on more net-front activity that can lead to opportunities even amid chaos.
“In recent seasons, we’ve had a high success rate on these types of goals. I believe we can build our offense by consistently getting to the net,” Sullivan analyzed.
Quill seems to fit this strategy well.
Sullivan added that playing in front of the net, whether during five-on-five play or on the power play, is often more nuanced than it appears. “It’s a skilled position with its own challenges,” he noted. “But Will has the talent, strength, and persistence to do it effectively.”
Ultimately, Sullivan hopes these adjustments will lead to improved results. “Not every goal is a highlight reel moment, but they all count the same,” he reflected, emphasizing the value of every hard-fought point.
