The New York Rangers are staring down their first true crisis of the season after dropping both ends of an Ontario road swing. Saturday night’s 7-4 unraveling against the Ottawa Senators laid bare just how fragile this group can be when forced to chase a game, and Mike Sullivan wasn't shy about making mid-game adjustments to stop the bleeding.
During the second period, Sullivan made an unmistakable statement, dropping prized offseason addition Pavel Dorofeyev out of the top six and down to the third line. While Dorofeyev managed to snap a rocket of a one-timer past Jonas Johansson late in the third frame to cut the deficit to 5-4, the goal arrived after the damage had already been done.
That tally brought Dorofeyev to just three goals through his first 13 games in New York. The lofty expectations placed on his shoulders have not been met, suddenly making him the most expensive third-line winger in the NHL.
Elite underlying metrics with zero finish
In the 7-4 loss to Ottawa, Dorofeyev did get a goal late into the third period. Unfortunately, it was a little too late, as the game was well in the hands of the Senators. That now makes three goals on the season, in 13 games played.
It has been a weird season for him, as the analytics side has him being one of the top offensive talents in the league. But there is nothing real to show for it.
After this game against the Senators, Dorofeyev has seven high-danger shot attempts that went unblocked, which is tied for fifth in all of the NHL. Additionally, he has hit the post or crossbar five times, which is tied for eighth most in the NHL. The chances are there, but he just is not converting.
Reality check
A move down to the third line is a bold statement from Sullivan. He is getting the looks and the chances, but he is not creating a positive result. Getting all of those unblocked shots to the net should have warranted more goals, which is why his -3.1 for goals above expected is the sixth-worst in the NHL.
No. 16 has been given a dose of reality, and he is worth a large investment in this team's future. $11 million AAV over the next seven seasons is not some loose change, and these grade-A chances are going to have to start resulting in goals. That is why President and General Manager Chris Drury sought him from Vegas, as he has shown an elite ability to score. But it hasn't yet translated to the 2026-27 season.
The hope is that Dorofeyev uses this demotion as motivation to get back to his original spot. He is a fantastic player, and this slow start will eventually fade. But, it is going to be on him to make it happen, and if he cannot get it done in the top-six, he will have to figure it out with the bottom-six.
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