The New York Rangers are struggling with their power play, a crucial aspect of their game, as they faced a disappointing 7-3 loss to the Columbus Blue Jackets on Sunday night at Madison Square Garden. This defeat marked another setback for the Rangers, who have now converted just one of their last 20 power play opportunities since February 25.
Vincent Trocheck, a key player for the Rangers, expressed frustration over the team’s inability to capitalize on scoring chances. “I think we’re getting good looks. I don’t know. I think if we knew the answer to that, we’d be scoring more goals,” he said, highlighting the team’s ongoing struggles to find the back of the net during man-advantage situations.
The absence of defenseman Adam Fox, who has been sidelined with a shoulder injury since February 25, is being felt keenly. Fox has been instrumental in quarterbacking the Rangers’ power play, and his loss has left a noticeable void in their offensive strategy.
In response to the power play woes, head coach Peter Laviolette made some adjustments to the lineup. Chris Kreider was moved back to the first power play unit, while Trocheck was shifted to the second group, alongside Jonny Brodzinski, Alexis Lafrenière, Will Cuylle, and K’Andre Miller.
Currently, the Rangers’ power play ranks 24th in the NHL, operating at just 19.2 percent efficiency. This statistic underscores the urgency for improvement as the team looks to regain its offensive rhythm.
Despite the team’s struggles, Artemi Panarin continues to shine. He scored a goal in the loss to Columbus, extending his goal-scoring streak to five games. Over this stretch, he has accumulated five goals and three assists, marking his longest streak since late December.
As the Rangers take a day off on Monday, they will prepare for their next challenge against the Winnipeg Jets on Tuesday. The team hopes to regroup and find solutions to their power play difficulties as they aim to turn their season around.