New York Rangers Unlocking Power Play is Key to Breaking Mini Slump

The New York Rangers are looking to improve the team's power play as it's limited their point production during their mini-slump.

In an effort to get out of their mini-slump, the New York Rangers are working hard to improve their power play and, at the same time, still flourish on the penalty kill. 

The Rangers power play had been automatic from 2021-2023 and on the surface, have been dynamic this season, operating at 30 percent (best in the NHL). Their penalty kill has also been solid, currently sitting sixth-best in the NHL at 83.64 percent. 

They also boast the sixth-best penalty kill in the league (83.64%), which has propelled the club to several wins. 

However, over the last four games (1-2-1), the power play is operating at 20 percent, with just two goals over their last 10 opportunities, while the penalty kill is at 77.8 percent after killing off nine of 11. 

There is still a hunger to reach a utopian level of production, a powerplay efficiency to the monster levels as the 2021-2022 season is possible.

"We didn't show up and compete, and they scored a couple of power-play goals on us," Rangers head coach Peter Laviolette stated after last Tuesday's loss against the Carolina Hurricanes, where they allowed two power-play tallies on four opportunities.

"I think it prevented us from having the energy that goes into the offensive zone where you feel better about yourself as opposed to chasing down things the other way. [It's] things we can fix."

The first two power-play goals had the Rangers in a 2-0 hole in the first, ultimately losing 6-1.

Special teams play is not sanctioned off onto its' own sheet of ice, it is part of the flow of the game. Laviolette acknowledged that. 

"Special teams can give you energy, and they can also work back the other way as well."

The Rangers' first power play unit is capable of shifting positions to create chaos in the zone. Repositioning to deceive is an activity the coaching staff wants to see more of. 

"Oftentimes hockey is not like a football play, where you run out twenty yards to the right and the footballs being delivered, " Laviolette said. " It's not like that. [A powerplay] is free-moving and has motion to it. You have to read off of the motion." 

The Rangers look to get their power play back on track as they battle the St. Louis Blues Thursday night at 8 PM ET.