New York Rangers stock market: End of season blues

Down: The Penalty Kill

The Penalty Kill has been nothing short of atrocious this week, and this season.

The flaws ni the penalty kill showed themselves fully against the New Jersey Devils. The Devils went 3 for 4 on the power play while the Rangers went 0 for 2. While the Islanders did not manage a power play goal, the Flyers did. Making for a total of four power play goals against on eight chances.

Letting up three power play goals in one game is, frankly, deplorable. Even if the games were meaningless, that is no reason to take so many penalties and then fail to defend against the man advantage.

The most concerning part of the failing penalty kill is it continuing into next season. Hopefully not, but certain factors must be put in place for that to not happen. A purging of the coaching staff (with the exception of goalie coach Benoit Allaire) is in order. This is not an issue of just the penalty kill, it is a systemic issue stemming from poor coaching all around.

Luckily, the Rangers have already gotten started by firing Alain Vigneault. The path to a better future (and penalty kill) has already begun.