The New York Rangers aren’t playing very good hockey right now at the midway point of March. New York is 4-5-1 in their last 10 games, they’ve struggled with plenty of issues both on and off the ice and offer serious concerns about their potential as a title-contending team.
Whether it’s injuries or the after-affects of having to play shorthanded for over two weeks, the Rangers have plenty of things to be concerned about as a big week against top teams in the Metro division kicks off.
Here are five of the biggest problems facing the Blueshirts today.
Artemi Panarin and his turnover issues
After New York traded for Patrick Kane, many analysts and fans thought that bringing the former Blackhawk with his former teammate could be the perfect deadline move to complete a solid offensive group.
Through five games, it’s been anything but that.
Panarin has struggled since the Kane trade as the rest of the team learns to try and play with the three-time Stanley Cup Champion. In the five games since the blockbuster trade, Panarin has totaled five points but with 15 turnovers. Add in a key penalty he was called for in Pittsburgh on Sunday and it’s been a rough stretch for the Rangers’ top playmaker.
If New York is to get anywhere close to where they want to be in a month, Panarin needs to be playing a lot better.
Penchant for Passing
Speaking of Kane, he may have scored twice in his last three games since becoming a member of the Rangers, but there has been a major flaw since he’s come in that has been a plague on the offense.
No one wants to shoot the puck.
Throughout the last few games, New York’s powerplay has gotten better since their rough run just a week ago, but the lack of aggressive play is a big reason why New York hasn’t won a regulation game in over three weeks. Finding the perfect shot doesn’t always happen.
Putting pucks on the net seems like a simple game plan, but the Rangers have gotten away from the aggressiveness…
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