New York Rangers: Five changes necessary to fend off elimination

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.