New York Rangers – Six Questions Going Into Round Two
There was a lot to like in the New York Rangers’ first round victory over Montreal. The used their speed and depth to wear down the Canadiens in a thrilling six game series. The Rangers flipped the switch into playoff mode and ignited hope that this group can make a run. But let’s not plan the parade just yet, troubling questions remain. We’ve identified 6 key questions.
The Rangers found a physicality we weren’t sure they had. Henrik Lundqvist turned back the clock and outplayed Carey Price. Dan Girardi found his game and looked like the warrior of old. Rick Nash was a force and Ryan McDonagh lead the way with his usual gutty defense.
There were some red flags. Some of problems were caused by the defensive-minded game of the Canadiens. But the Rangers got away with others because they were playing a team without much firepower. This will not be the case against the more skilled teams.
They’ll need answers to some of these questions in the affirmative if they want to advance deep into the playoffs.
Can Key Forwards Provide More Offense?
The Rangers didn’t get much offense in the first round from several key forwards, including Chris Kreider, Derek Stepan, JT Miller, and Kevin Hayes. These players were pressing and struggled to create scoring chances.
Kreider and Miller took bad penalties that could’ve cost the team. Miller tried too many high risk passes that did not connect. For much of the series, Stepan look indecisive and Hayes was too passive. All four had only one assist and no goals until Stepan’s empty netter.
In Game 6, Miller and Hayes played well and Stepan got the clinching empty net goal. This could give them some confidence going into the series against the Senators. They should have more open ice against Ottawa and the Rangers need more from them.
Can The Power-Play Come Back to Life?
Mats Zuccarello’s wrister in Game 6 found some room under Price’s arm on the last power play of the series, snapping an 0 for 14 slump. It was a save that Carey Price usually makes. The goal prevented the Rangers from being completely blanked on the power play in the series.
The power play struggles prompted Alain Vigneault to use rookie Pavel Buchnevich, who wasn’t even in the lineup to start the series, on the first unit. Montreal’s penalty kill was tops in the league after Claude Julien took over, so it was no easy task. Still, the power play looked inept for most of the series.
The Rangers have to do a better job at screening the goaltender, they were too easily cleared out by Montreal’s defensemen. They also passed up too many opportunities to shoot, looking for the perfect play. The power play needs to chip in if the Rangers are to keep advancing.
Can Rick Nash Exorcise Demons From Playoffs Past?
Rick Nash has not produced many goals in the playoffs in his tenure with the team. His reputation as a playoff no show was cemented in 2014, when he scored only three goals in 25 games.
In the series against Montreal, Nash made two of the biggest plays, both coming from a hard charge to the net from the corner. The first was the game winner in Game 4 and the second was his assist on Brady Skjei’s tying goal in Game 5.
Nash was at his bull rushing best, playing a solid two way game throughout the series. He was arguably the Rangers best forward. They’ll need him to continue to play at a high level if they hope to move on.
Will Vigneault Trust His Rookies?
The re-insertion of Pavel Buchnevich turned the series back in the Rangers’ favor. The Rangers were coming off a gut punch loss in Game 2 and a listless effort in Game 3. Dressing the talented Russian allowed the Rangers to go back to their speed game and take advantage of their depth.
Buchnevich didn’t get on the score sheet, but showed flashes of brilliance. The rookie got time on the first power play unit and will be a fixture in the lineup moving forward.
Jimmy Vesey had some great moments in the series, including same great work in getting the puck to Nash on the big Skjei Game 5 goal, as well as a pretty one touch pass that sprung Nash for a breakaway goal in Game 2. Vesey seems to have earned Vigneault’s trust and has gelled with Nash.
Brady Skjei has not looked overwhelmed in his first playoffs. He scored two goals including the big game tying goal in Game 5. Skjei was the only defenseman to score in the series for the Rangers.
But Skjei didn’t play in the second half of the third period in the Game 6 clincher. Vigneault thought other players were quicker to the puck and decided to shorten his bench. We’d like to see Brady and Smith take on some of Staal and Holden’s minutes in the games ahead.
The Rangers have three impressive rookies who will continue to play important minutes. How much Vigneault trusts them in key spots will be a factor in the Rangers’ playoff success. Vigneault needs to take off the training wheels and let his youngsters ride.
Can Henrik Lundqvist Stay Locked In?
After an up and down regular season, not too many people saw this coming. Lundqvist was fantastic against the Canadiens, sporting a 1.70 GAA and a .947 GAA.
He made key save after key save, thwarting Max Pacioretty on a breakaway in the third period of a tie game and stoning Tomas Plekanec on the doorstep in the waning moments of Game 6. Lundqvist looked composed and locked in throughout.
Of the eleven goals he allowed in the series, it’s hard to blame even one on him. It was vintage Hank, I can’t say enough about how impressive he was in this series.
But can he keep it up? Lundqvist turned 35 in March and will be facing better offensive teams from here on out. The Rangers are going to need to give him more offensive support.
Can Staal and Holden Hold Up?
Nick Holden and Marc Staal had an abysmal Game 2, as the pair was on the ice for all three goals against in regulation. That includes the game tying goal late where Holden had foolishly broken his stick and was unable to prevent Plekanec from getting to it.
After benching Nick Holden in Game 3, Vigneault came to the conclusion that he didn’t have any better options. Klein missed a lot of time late in the season and had a poor game. Holden played better after the benching but still had some bad moments.
Marc Staal had some key turnovers and hasn’t been the defensive force of years past. This pair was on the ice for many of Montreal’s best scoring chances.
Still, Staal and Holden remain locked in as the second pair after McDonagh and Girardi. Brendan Smith has earned the coach’s trust, but Brady Skjei has not. Skjei only played about 12 and half minutes in Game 6, the fewest for a defensemen.
Next: Rangers Need to get Henrik Lundqvist a Cup
Both Staal and Holden played over twenty minutes and the team looks like they will sink or swim with this duo. Vigneault needs to play Skjei more and ease the burden on his second pair. Regardless, they will need to play better.