New York Rangers: Five changes necessary to fend off elimination
The New York Rangers find themselves down in their series against the Ottawa Senators yet again. The team is heading back home to Madison Square Garden in need of a win. Blue Line Station takes a dive at five changes that must be made to fend off elimination.
In the Stanley Cup Playoffs teams are forced to adjust on the fly. Unfortunately, the New York Rangers must do just that if they hope to play another game. Every player will be expected to play this game as if it were their last and every coaching decision will be scrutinized to no avail.
With an elimination game looming, the Rangers and their coaching staff must make several adjustments to save their playoff hopes. Will they make the necessary changes and take the series back to Ottawa for Game Seven?
5. More Traffic in front of Anderson
This should be obvious by now, traffic in the goalie crease creates chances. End of story. Fortunately, the Rangers were able to proceed past the Montreal Canadiens despite creating little trouble for Carey Price. Now, the same problem has followed the team into the series against Ottawa, and the same rules apply.
If the Rangers intend of continuing their playoff series, they must begin by changing their game plan inside of the offensive zone. Outside of a few players, namely Rick Nash, the Rangers’ forward group has been reluctant to get in the opposing goaltender’s line of vision and create second-hand opportunities.
Organized madness is one of the most efficient ways of burying those game-tying or game-sealing goals. Players such as Chris Kreider and Kevin Hayes must take the opportunity to use their big frames to block Craig Anderson’s sight, and collect rebounds.
4. Better Shot Selection
This change may go against the conventional thought process of playoff hockey. However, it ties in perfectly with our first point. The New York Rangers have been forced to take too many low-percentage shots in their three losses to Ottawa. For the Rangers to right the ship, and even the series yet again, they must be more particular in their shot selection.
In fact, in the two New York victories, the Rangers have averaged 25 shots on goal per game as opposed to the 38 shots on goal in their three losses. Granted, two of those games went into overtime. When facing a goaltender as large as Craig Anderson there are very few angles to exploit from a distance. However, when up close his size will work against him as he tries to move laterally.
The Rangers’ forwards need to look no further than one of their veteran leaders Rick Nash for a tutorial on how to shoot. Nash is among the few forwards on the team that has put his body on the line in order to get to high-percentage shooting spots. Look for the team to follow Nash’s example and exploit Anderson’s weakness with the Madison Square Garden crowd roaring behind them.
3. Chris Kreider to the Third Line
New York Rangers head coach Alain Vigneault loves to change his lines, but he has refused to make one necessary change. Chris Kreider, who has been wildly ineffective and very much uninvolved for much of the playoffs, must be “demoted” to a lower spot in the lineup. Luckily for the Rangers, this demotion is a sign of an overall good situation.
One of this team’s biggest strengths throughout the regular season was their depth at the forward position. When the Rangers are effectively rolling four lines against their opponent, there are very few teams that have the speed and defense to keep up. Putting Chris Kreider on a lower line would make the most sense.
Perhaps a spot alongside Kevin Hayes and J.T. Miller, who are both struggling to produce points, would be best for the trio to find their groove. With a combination of size, speed, and determination, this line could prove to be valuable should the Rangers extend their Stanley Cup run. Whatever line it may be, the Rangers’ regular season goal-leader must be scoring in order to keep their championship hopes alive.
2. Let the kids lead the way
The New York Rangers roster is a beautiful mix of veteran leadership mixed with the presence of youth. In the series against Ottawa, the young players have thrived while the veterans have seemed a step behind. If they are to continue their journeys in this year’s playoff the team will have a good problem on their hands.
While Alain Vigneault has a tendency to play his guys, it would be in his best interest to give his young players a chance to spread their wings. Rookie Jimmy Vesey led the charge in Game Five. He played some of the most aggressive, straight-forward hockey this team has seen in the playoffs. Other notable young forwards include Oscar Lindberg and Jesper Fast.
Perhaps the most impressive youngster of the group has been Brady Skjei. Skjei continues to impress in his first full year at the NHL level. He has served as the Rangers’ second best defenseman for much of the season, a trend that has carried into the playoffs. It would be wise to give Skjei even more responsibility, particularly late in the game and on the power play.
1. Change the lead-protecting unit
Here we go again. Depending on how the Rangers’ postseason run ends, this will likely be the most talked about topic. Right at the forefront of the discussion will be the man in charge, head coach Alain Vigneault. It has been his decision-making that has cost the team three late leads, including two in this series against Ottawa.
Across the NHL there has been an influx of 6-on-5 goals late in the third period of playoff games. The Anaheim Ducks scored three times in four minutes to take the Edmonton Oilers to overtime a few nights ago. Similarly, the Rangers have fallen victim twice to these sorts of events. Aside from the actual play on the ice, the Rangers’ bench boss has been the one to blame.
With game on the line there are few players more reliable than some of the Rangers’ bottom-six forwards. Oscar Lindberg, Michael Grabner and Jesper Fast come to mind. Those three, along with reliable veterans Derek Stepan, Rick Nash, or Mats Zuccarello must comprise the Rangers’ forwards with a late lead.
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Finally, Vigneault’s tendency to lose the Brady Skjei-Brendan Smith pairing must end. Choosing to bench two of the team’s most effective defenseman with the game on the line seems counterintuitive. Maybe that’s just me.