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New York Rangers’ Michael Grabner Still a Threat Despite Goal Drought

By Alexandra Russo

Jan 4, 2017; Philadelphia, PA, USA; New York Rangers right wing Michael Grabner (40) celebrates his goal with left wing J.T. Miller (10) against the Philadelphia Flyers during the third period at Wells Fargo Center. The Rangers defeated the Flyers, 5-2. Mandatory Credit: Eric Hartline-USA TODAY Sports
Jan 4, 2017; Philadelphia, PA, USA; New York Rangers right wing Michael Grabner (40) celebrates his goal with left wing J.T. Miller (10) against the Philadelphia Flyers during the third period at Wells Fargo Center. The Rangers defeated the Flyers, 5-2. Mandatory Credit: Eric Hartline-USA TODAY Sports /
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The New York Rangers got a lot more than they expected with forward Michael Grabner. His 27 goals give him the team lead, and he is seventh on the team in scoring with 39 points. Despite his goal scoring drought, he provides the team with speed and numerous chances every game.

The New York Rangers claimed Grabner had the “special touch” when it came to scoring earlier in the season. The scoring was evenly spread out, too. He scored one hat trick against the Tampa Bay Lightning in November, but otherwise, his scoring has been spread across many games.

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For a while now, though, his scoring seems to be stunted. It could be due to the fact that he is not consistently on the line he was in the beginning of the season. This was the Grabner-Hayes-Miller line that, for a stretch, was the Rangers’ most lethal line.

Some might say he was on a hot streak that ended. However, what appears to be forgotten is his ability to play a 60 minute hockey game every night. It’s a difficult thing to stay focused for that amount of time, but he is able to do it.

Take the game against the Kings, for example. Grabner had two breakaways and a separate great chance in front. Those three chances were spread throughout each period. Although he scored on none of them, his chances were all equally important.

New York Rangers
New York Rangers /

New York Rangers

When a player has chances in the beginning of a game, it can set the pace and swing momentum in that team’s favor. When the chances come towards the middle of the game, it can start to tire out the opposition. Chances towards the end of the game can help seal the deal on a win or create a tie game if a team is trailing.

Grabner does all of this and more for the Rangers on a nightly basis. He hasn’t been able to find the back of the net for a while now, but that will change.

Look at Derek Stepan, for instance. He went a long amount of time without scoring, but now he is finding the back of the net. In a game against Carolina, he had 10 shots on goal and scored on none of them. Sometimes, puck luck is in a player’s favor or it isn’t.

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In Grabner’s case, all he has to do is continue to play the fast, talented game he is already playing. Things will turn in his favor, but for now, he is still helping the New York Rangers offensively with his grit and skill. Besides, it’s more important that he starts heating up in two weeks when the 2017 Stanley Cup Playoffs begin.

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