New York Rangers need better goaltending, other keys to beating the Devils
3. Stay with the puck
Another trend to emerge from the last couple of games has been an alarming bout of bad puck luck in the offensive zone.
In the shutout loss to the Isles, while they played a stinker, the Rangers still won in the shots attempt (54-38), they had more shots, more scoring chances, more high danger chances and, according to Natural Stat Trick, they were expected to score 2.68 goals while the Islanders were expected to score 1.93.
Then, to hammer home the point further, the Blueshirts were dominant in the offensive zone against the Flyers, but were unable to get the job done despite a big third period comeback.
They recorded a stunning 86 shot attempts and they outshot Philadelphia 46-26, but posts, crossbars and a big night from Martin Jones ultimately proved to be the Rangers’ undoing.
However, three goals in the third period earned a point and sticking with it must be the mantra against the Devils tonight.
The Rangers are always going to generate pucks on net with the glut of offensive talent they have, and logic dictates that bad puck luck won’t continue for long.
So, therefore, if they can get after it from the drop of the puck against the Devils, get pucks to the net and throw as much traffic to the front of the net as they can, then the goals will eventually come.
Even if it requires a little bit of patience.