Here they are again, the Rangers’ power play unit struggling and unable to come through when needed most.
So far through the Blueshirts’ 1-3-0 start, their man-advantage is ranked 25th in the 30-team league, converting just 11.1 percent of the time. As it was last season and throughout the postseason run to the Eastern Conference Finals, when the Rangers draw a penalty, it is more often than not a time for disappointment rather than elation.
“It’s just too deliberate,” coach John Tortorella said after Thursday night’s 2-1 loss to the Flyers. “We’re just simply not getting enough big plays from our top guys in that type of situation.”
The salt in the wound on Thursday was the Rangers getting a 5-on-3, down 2-1 with about 10 minutes remaining. They moved the puck well but couldn’t get a goal, and it seemed like it was then the hope of a comeback died.
“It’s frustrating when you get the chances and opportunities to get yourself back in the game and you can’t make the most of it and capitalize,” said defenseman Michael Del Zotto, who played 2:44 of his total 23:39 on the power play.
“We have the skill level, for sure. I think right now we’re not moving it quick enough and retrieving those loose pucks. It seems like we’re one-and-done, we get one chance and it’s back down our end and it takes 30 seconds to try and break it out every time.”
With tonight’s game against the Maple Leafs at the Garden, the Rangers will hope to reverse the trend, which continues to hamper their ability to win tight games.
“The bottom line is we just have to score goals,” said forward Derek Stepan. “You get a chance to go up a man, it’s big in this league to capitalize on it.”
* After one game, the Rangers sent forward Kris Newbury back to the Connecticut Whale (AHL). Newbury played five minutes on Thursday and got just one shift in the third period after he came out on the losing end of a second-period fight with Tye McGinn.
Newbury’s demotion likely means Arron Asham will be back in the lineup tonigh. Asham was dealing with a mild groin strain, and missed the past two games.