The New York Rangers have long been undervalued by analytical models in the NHL due to their low-volume attempts at five-on-five and reliance on special teams, particularly the power play. In Game 1 of the conference finals against the Florida Panthers, the Rangers were able to create enough Grade A scoring opportunities to fool the model into thinking the game could have gone either way. However, it never felt that way because the Panthers dominated puck possession throughout the game.
If the Rangers and Panthers played the same way in Game 2, Florida would likely take a 2-0 lead, as they did against the Hurricanes in last year’s conference finals. The Rangers recognize that they need better execution in all areas of the game, including breakout, transition, and power play effectiveness. The power play is crucial to the Rangers’ offense and overall success as a team. They had a points percentage of .833 when scoring at least one power play goal during the season, compared to .667 when they were unable to convert with the man advantage.
In the first 11 games of the tournament, the Rangers are 6-0 with a power play goal and 2-3 without one. While they hold their own at five-on-five, their strength lies in their special teams play. They have outscored opponents 15-4 on special teams but have been outscored 20-19 at full and equal strength. Winning the puck is crucial to their success, and in Game 1, they didn’t do enough of that. They only drew one penalty from the Panthers because they didn’t have enough puck possession.
The Rangers’ ability to retrieve the puck on the power play has been one of their greatest strengths, but it wasn’t evident in Game 1 or in the later stages of the Carolina series. This is a reminder that in high-stakes playoff hockey, every little detail matters, including recoveries and puck retrievals. The Rangers’ first power play opportunity in Game 1 yielded only one shot, and the second opportunity was slightly better but still lacked the necessary effectiveness.
In order to succeed in the playoffs, teams must adapt to the lack of time and space, the worn-down ice, and the increased pressure from penalty kills. Coming away with the puck off broken plays is more important than setting up the perfect play. The Rangers need to bring a five-on-five mentality to their power play and be quicker and more assertive in winning loose pucks. Waiting around for the perfect picture play is not an option.
Overall, the Rangers’ success in the playoffs hinges on their ability to effectively execute on the power play and win puck battles. They must improve their puck retrievals and be more aggressive in creating scoring opportunities off broken plays. By doing so, they can maximize their chances of winning and advancing further in the tournament.
