New York Rangers: What Rangers fans are thankful for

CHICAGO, IL - NOVEMBER 15: Members of the New York Rangers including (L-R) Brady Skjei
CHICAGO, IL - NOVEMBER 15: Members of the New York Rangers including (L-R) Brady Skjei
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NEW YORK, NY – NOVEMBER 11: Members of the New York Rangers celebrate after a goal by Rick Nash
NEW YORK, NY – NOVEMBER 11: Members of the New York Rangers celebrate after a goal by Rick Nash

Garrett Gartino- A competent power play

It’s that time of the year where we as New York Rangers fans count our blessings. Plain and simple I’m thankful just to follow a great franchise like this one. However, this year they have given me another layer of excitement.

This year, I am thankful for the Rangers newfound proficiency on the power play. Over the past few seasons, it has been a trying task to get excited with the team when they played with the man advantage. Now, I feel like every time the opposing team takes a penalty the Rangers have an opportunity to change the course of the game.

The difference makers have been the addition of Kevin Shattenkirk and the return of a healthy Mika Zibanejad. Similarly, the rise of Pavel Buchnevich has made a previously underwhelming power play unit very exciting to watch this season.

With a little help from the second unit, which seems to be turning a corner with Rick Nash and Jimmy Vesey back to playing hard-nosed hockey, this season’s power play could be the difference maker to make us fans thankful all the way into the summer.