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New York Rangers – Six Questions Going Into Round Two

By Ben Whitney

Dec 15, 2016; Dallas, TX, USA; New York Rangers left wing Chris Kreider (20) in action during the game against the Dallas Stars at the American Airlines Center. The Rangers shut out the Stars 2-0. Mandatory Credit: Jerome Miron-USA TODAY Sports
Dec 15, 2016; Dallas, TX, USA; New York Rangers left wing Chris Kreider (20) in action during the game against the Dallas Stars at the American Airlines Center. The Rangers shut out the Stars 2-0. Mandatory Credit: Jerome Miron-USA TODAY Sports /
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Dec 15, 2016; Dallas, TX, USA; New York Rangers right wing Mats Zuccarello (36) celebrates a goal against the Dallas Stars at the American Airlines Center. The Rangers shut out the Stars 2-0. Mandatory Credit: Jerome Miron-USA TODAY Sports
Dec 15, 2016; Dallas, TX, USA; New York Rangers right wing Mats Zuccarello (36) celebrates a goal against the Dallas Stars at the American Airlines Center. The Rangers shut out the Stars 2-0. Mandatory Credit: Jerome Miron-USA TODAY Sports /

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.

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