The Rangers power-play is in desperate need of some help, and fast. Last night they failed to convert on nine man-advantages, including some 5-on-3 time. Consequently, they dropped a point in overtime to the Blackhawks, in a game that Henrik Lundqvist did enough for them to win.
Sure, they hit the post three times, and Martin Rucinsky's four minute high sticking foul in overtime hurt the team, but they really need someone who can finish besides Jagr, and more recently, Petr Prucha.
NY Times: Jagr has only one power-play goal in his last 16 games. As a team, the Rangers are 4 for 43 on the power play over their last seven games.
NY Daily News: Figuring a little levity was preferable to punching a wall, Rangers coach Tom Renney asked a couple of reporters as he walked to his postgame press conference: "Anybody got any power-play ideas?"
NY Post: The Rangers failed to score on nine power-play opportunities. And after Strudwick, working a give-and-go with Jason Ward standing behind the goal line, and Tom Poti, set by Michal Rozsival, were turned away point-blank by Khabibulin down the stretch, this opening game of a three-game midwestern swing had all the feeling of one doomed to get away.
NY Newsday: "We tried to pass pucks into the net," said coach Tom Renney. "I didn't think we brought the puck with real purpose and intensity. As you get frustrated with the power play as the game goes on, the more you try to manufacture things that don't exist. If we get a goal on the power play, it's a different game."
The Rodent isn't that upset with the way the team played, but agrees that is was a game they should have won.
This western swing continues tonight as the Rangers visit Nashville. The Predators beat the Capitals 5-2 last night in Washington, and now trail the Detroit Red Wings by one point for first place in the Western Conference.
The puck drops at 8:00 pm EST. Enjoy the game.
HDH
Posted by Jim at December 08, 2005 12:12 PMeMail this entry!
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