The
New York Rangers struggles to generate on the power play are nothing new, but
with a 12.9 percent efficiency and 27th place ranking in the league all ideas
should be considered for fixing things.
This morning Larry Brooks at the New
York Post offers up the idea of recalling Mats Zuccarello as part of the
solution to the power play struggles.
Brooks
broke down the amount of time the main players have had on the power play thus
far this season and the number of goals they have been on the ice for. The numbers are quite ugly, especially for
those on the top unit.
Richards has been on the ice for six PPGs in 79:49 of man-advantage time. Michael Del Zotto has been on for seven in 76:06. Gaborik has been on for five in 67:24. Ryan Callahan has been on for seven in 67:14. Derek Stepan has been on for four in 53:42.
Brandon Dubinsky has been on for four in 43:35. Dan Girardi has been on for four in 41:16. Ruslan Fedotenko has been on for three in 16:40. Ryan McDonagh has been on for one in 13:42. Brian Boyle has been on for one in 14:21. Erik Christensen has been on for one (a five-on-three) in 21:02
The numbers
are intended to establish the base for Brooks call on Zuccarello being the man
to fix the dysfunction as because…
And a year ago, Mats Zuccarello was on the ice for 12 power play goals in 106:42, one per 8:53, a better rate than any player on the Rangers’ roster.
There is no
question that the Rangers power play lacks a sense of creativity and Zuccarello
has that kind of flash to his game, but he is not the solution to their power
play woes. The problem with the power
play is the same as it has always been when they struggle; lack of movement.
The team stands around on the outside and makes it easy for the defense to guard
them. Moving bodies causes puck movement
which causes the defense to make decisions on whom to mark leading to mistakes
and open men. If the Rangers get better
movement and maybe even a net front presence the power play will at least be
more threatening.
