News out of New York Rangers practice came down that when
the team takes to the ice tomorrow there will be some changes to the lines and
maybe more importantly the power play in an attempt to spark some offense. Per Andrew
Gross the lines were the following:
Dubinsky-Anisimov-Zuccarello
Wolski-Stepan-Gaborik
Fedotenko-Boyle-Prust
Avery-Drury-Weise
On the one hand it is not surprising to see coach Tortorella
tinker with the lines when the team has only scored eight goals in six games
this month, but also somewhat surprising because they are getting chances but
lacking the finish. At different points
of the year both the pairs of Dubinsky, Anisimov and Stepan, Gaborik have shown
chemistry and looking for a spark it is certainly not a bad way to go. The Wolski, Stepan, Gaborik line features
three immensely talented players who are all struggling to put up points right
now, so maybe putting will ignite the fire we have been waiting for.
Along with the line changes there were changes made to the
power play which has been atrocious this month going 1 for 18. Derek Stepan is being taken off the point and
Matt Gilroy will start to see more time on it as he will likely pair with Marc
Staal on the man advantage.
These two personnel moves are a step in the right direction
as Stepan has always been better suited to play down low on the wall and Gilroy
has always been assumed as a potential power play quarterback. Personnel is a problem on the power play and
Brian Boyle still belongs out there to clog the goal mouth, but it is beyond
just personnel at this point. The team
mentality on the power play is too passive for it to truly be a threat to the opposition.
Finally there has been a lot of consternation the last 24
hours over Sean Avery being sent back to the fourth line after three straight
solid games and while I understand that Avery is a fan favorite it is the right
move. At this stage Avery is not better
than anyone else in the top six or even the top nine on the Rangers forwards at
this given moment. That can certainly
change, but for now Avery is where he belongs.
