Analyzing the New York Rangers at the Half-Way Point
At what was supposed to be the Olympic break for the NHL, the New York Rangers find themselves in a position that not many people foresaw at the beginning of the season. Currently, the Rangers sit second in the Metro division. They are tied with the Carolina Hurricanes, but the Hurricanes have five games in hand. The Rangers sit at 30-13-4 with a total of 64 points. Rangers fans expected the team to make a leap from last season, however, not many expected this kind of success at this point in the season. What is going right for this team? What areas can they still improve heading into the second half of the season?
Juggernaut of a Power Play
One of the Rangers biggest strengths is their power play. Their top unit consists of Mika Zibanejad, Artemi Panarin, Adam Fox, Chris Kreider, and Ryan Strome. There are few teams in the NHL that beat a first unit like that. Adam Fox quarterbacks the power play with ease feeding the puck to Mika and Panarin. Those two let the puck rip and if it doesn’t go in, Kreider is there to clean up the mess. Currently, the Rangers own the league’s fifth best power play at 25.9%. This is by far the best power play the Rangers have had in years. The average spot for the Rangers power play in the last five full seasons is 18th.
The power play has been the driving force of the Rangers offense this season. Of the Rangers 142 goals this season, 36 of them have come with the man advantage. That means that 25.4% of the Rangers total goals this season have come on the power play. The only team that has a higher percentage of their total goals scored on the power play is the Boston Bruins.
Struggles at 5v5
Despite the Rangers having one of the league’s best power play units, they generally struggle at 5v5 hockey. As of right now, the Rangers have the third lowest percentage of goals scored at 5v5. The Rangers have scored 71.83% of their total goals on 5v5. The only teams with a lower percentage than the Rangers are the Bruins and the Blues with 71.54% and 71.52% respectively.
Obviously, the majority of the game is played at 5v5. Therefore, this is a very concerning trend and one that has been plaguing the Rangers all season. However, despite their struggle at 5v5, they sit tied with the Hurricanes for first in the division.
Possible fixes – On the roster
One way the New York Rangers can help mitigate their 5v5 struggles is to boost the right wing. They had the perfect answer to this problem on their roster in the offseason with Pavel Buchnevich. Buchnevich had the perfect combination of playmaking and finishing the helped make the line with Mika and Kreider so special. However, they traded him in the offseason to the Blues.
Their last two games have featured former first overall pick, Alexis Lafreniere on the right side with Mika and Kreider. Laf was drafted as a LW and has spent much of his NHL career on the left side. However, due to necessity, Laf has shifted over to the right side. He has scored in each of his last two games and heads into the break with 10 goals on the season. Gerard Gallant is going to take the break to mull over line up adjustments and decide whether or not to move Laf to the right side permanently.
Possible fixes – Off the roster
Despite Laf’s recent success on the right side, that should not stop the New York Rangers from trying to upgrade their roster by the trade deadline. One name that has been linked to the Rangers is RW Phil Kessel. Kessel is currently wasting his talents on the Coyotes and is a name that can easily be moved at the trade deadline. Kessel immediately upgrades the Rangers right side and adds another player who can put the puck in the net. He would be a rental player as his contract is up at the end of the season. Kessel is an aging player, but he loves to shoot the puck and would immediately help the Ranger at 5v5.
Another name the Rangers may choose to pursue is Tomas Hertl. Hertl is having a nice season with the Sharks scoring 22 goals and tallying 16 assists in 46 games played this season. Hertl is a more expensive option on the trade market, but again, would immediately upgrade the Rangers at 5v5. He provides versatility as he can play both center and wing. The Rangers can use help at both positions. Other than Mika and Ryan Strome, the Rangers centers are largely question marks.
The Rangers are a year ahead of schedule when it comes to truly contending. There is also no true dominant team like the Lightning of year’s past, so it may be wise for the Rangers to go all in this season and go for the Cup. Hertl or Kessel would certainly help the Rangers in their quest for hockey’s ultimate prize.
Final Thoughts
This has been an extremely fun season to be a New York Rangers fan. Adam Fox is proving to be the best Rangers defenseman since Brian Leetch and will be a finalist for the Norris Trophy once again. Igor Shesterkin is near the top of the list for Vezina candidates and is having a dominant season. Chris Kreider is proving that his hot start is no fluke and currently leading the NHL in goals.
This team is a good hockey team, but one with flaws that can be addressed. As they are currently constructed, the New York Rangers are certainly a playoff team, but probably not one who can win the Stanley Cup. They need to find ways to address their issues at 5v5. Alexis Lafreniere on the right side might be a solution. But they may need to look outside of their organization at names like Phil Kessel and Tomas Hertl to boost them at 5v5. All in all, the Rangers are in a spot that not many people expected them to be in at this point in the season. It has been a fun ride so far, but the most important hockey as yet to be played.
-Pete Chatterton (@Pchat12)
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