The Rangers enter Sunday's game against the Devils off two straight games lousy performances in which they were outscored 7-1. Not only did they score just once, but they looked poor in doing so. Sometimes you have to credit the opposing goalie, and while Carey Price and Michael Hutchinson each played well, New York failed to produce any semblance of a sustained attack.
New York is struggling in all three phases of the games: offense, defense and special teams. Offensively, right now, there are way too many passengers, led by Rick Nash and Chris Kreider, each of whom have zero goals. iIt's not only that there are passengers, but we see breakdown after breakdown, shift after shift, with Derrick Brassard the leader of that pack.
Defensively, the lack of communication has been staggering. Dan Girardi seems to have aged 10 years in the off-season, continuing a decline that began during the Stanley Cup Finals against LA. Dan Boyle has been the favorite whipping boy, yet he has not been the worst of the blueliners, which should speak volumes of how bad they have been. Klein and Yandle have been the best two, but that isn't saying that much.
The special teams have been an abomination. The power play still has way to much puck movement, not enough player movement and definitely too few shots. Sound familiar? we have been harping on the same issues for years, yet it has failed to be fixed. This is why I wanted Marek Zidlicky last trade deadline, because he can at least get the puck hard on net, which both man-advantage units have failed to consistently do.
But, it's only five games in. I repeat FIVE GAMES in. This is why I wholeheartedly disagree going with Henrik Lundqvist today. If you are concerned, maybe even panicked, yes I used that word, about losing to NJ five games into a season, there may be much bigger concerns that we even realized. We discussed before the Montreal game that maybe you go Antti Raanta in that game, then Hank today and Raanta tomorrow. Or maybe Raanta in two straight, then Hank. But what are now going to do? Play Hank today and then Raanta in his first game as a Ranger against the Sharks? Will you go Hank again tomorrow? To me, that's bad goalie management, because you are overusing Lundqvist early and not seeing what you have in Raanta, especially against an opponent the team should beat.
AV loves changes lines up early. He uses that strategy to get a feel for the team and combinations. This change has little to do with feel and more a way to jumpstart a moribund offense and team. As you will see below, Emerson Etem, who saw a whole seven minutes the other night, sits again as does Tanner Glass. Brassard has been moved to the second line with fast jumping up. Hayes is back at third line center. Stalberg gets moved down while Stepan and Brassard switch spots.
Forwards: Nash-Stepan-Zuccarello Kreider-Brassard-Fast Lindberg-Hayes-Miller Stalberg-Moore-Stoll.
Extras: Etem, Glass
The big changes are here. Girardi is now with Yandle and Klein is with McDonagh, which might allow him to be more aggressive offensively. Staal is now with Boyle, as the Rangers try any way to get the latter going.
Defense: McDonagh-Klein Yandle-Girardi Staal-Boyle
On the man-advantage, this may mean Nash is in front and Zucc on the half-boards, as I can't see switching those two. On the second pair, both Kreider and Hayes can play in front and the big surprise is Miller at the point.
PP1: Yandle-Boyle Nash-Stepan-Zuccarello PP2: McDonagh-Miller, Kreider-Brassard-Hayes
On the face of it, the changes sure look like Panic at the Disco,. Stark moves for a team five games into a season. They have not looked good, but are 3-2, though AV is clearly not happy with their play and rightfully so. Stay tuned. A poor game today could mean more and starker changes.