New York Rangers’ First Round Preview: Special Teams
The Rangers are going into a tough first round matchup against the Montreal Canadiens, and we will be breaking it down by position. In this edition, we take a look at the special teams.
Once the playoffs roll around five on five play tends to tighten up. Teams crowd the neutral zone, box out the front of the net, and scoring almost always drops off. Special teams play grows in importance on both sides: power plays have more pressure to score and penalty kills are hard pressed to keep the puck out of the net.
Power Play
This season, the Ranger have boasted one of the NHL’s strongest power play units. They finish the season tied for tenth in the league, scoring on 20.2 percent of their opportunities. Throughout the year, the Rangers showed off the many ways that they can score with the man advantage.
The power play accentuated both the Rangers’ speed and passing ability. Much of the Rangers’ scoring came on the rush with speed through the neutral zone. However, the Rangers still showed that they can cycle the puck in the offensive zone with some deft passes.
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That isn’t to say that the Canadiens are slouched on the power play. The Canadiens come into the series after converting on 19.6 percent of their power plays during the regular season. The Canadiens score similarly to the Rangers on the rush, but play a different offensive zone scheme.
The Rangers tend to play the puck from the circles or behind the net. The Canadiens, on the other hand, have a consistent threat on the point in Shea Weber. Weber gives the Canadiens an option on the back-end who can do it all: he has a massive shot, his passes are accurate and crisp, and he plays with just enough edge to his game.
I don’t see either team having an on paper edge in this department. Both teams have found ways to consistently score on the power play, however I give the Rangers the slight edge going in. The Rangers have been extremely productive with the man advantage as of late, and I don’t see them slowing down with a full lineup.
Penalty Kill
The Rangers have uncharacteristically been somewhat poor on the penalty kill this season. They rank tied for nineteenth in the NHL, only killing 79.8 percent of all power plays. There are a few different possibilities to explain this.
The Rangers have always relied on Henrik Lundqvist to be the team’s best penalty killer, but this season, this has not always been the case. However, not all the blame can be placed on the goalkeeper. The Rangers’ overall defense has been poor as well. Without help from the four skaters on the ice, the netminder is sure to get hung out to dry his fair share.
The Canadiens are closer to the other end of the spectrum. Coming in at fourteenth in the NHL, Montreal kills off 81.1 percent of power plays. The same detriments to the Rangers’ penalty kill is what helps the Canadiens’.
Carey Price has been himself. Not much else needs to be said about that. The Canadiens’ defense has been strong this season as well, thanks to the same man who has helped the power play.
I give the Canadiens the edge when looking at the penalty kill. Throughout the regular season they have killed penalties well, and Carey Price has looked good. Neither of those traits seem likely to drop off.
Next: New York Rangers vs. Canadiens Goaltending Preview
Special Teams Prediction
The Rangers’ power play has rounded into form over the last two weeks of the regular season, but the Canadiens boast a stronger penalty kill. The special teams battle, then, is in the Rangers’ defensive end. Henrik Lundqvist played most of the Rangers final games, and he seems to be in top form. Overall, I give the Rangers the special teams edge going into game one.