I assure you this post is not me hitting the panic button. It should not cause you, the reader, to panic.
This post is simply to offer the truth, nothing more.
It's time for the Rangers fan to put aside expectations, especially the Cup or Bust attitude. Their 4-5 start in a 48-game regular season has exposed some flaws in this team. The playoffs are no longer a guarantee for this team.
The fatal flaws in this team that have been prevalent with this team in the John Tortorella era have reared their ugly head after nine games. First, the power play has been abysmal. And this is being kind. It went 0 for 5 last night against the Devils, including a double minor late in the first period. After the game, Torts stated the lack of effective special teams play cost them big time. And it will continue to do so unless things are changed.
The obvious solution is to shoot the puck more, right? Theoretically, yes. But the power play units also need to screen the goaltender more and not be afraid to crash the net when necessary. It seems that whenever a shot on goal happens, the opposition easily cradles the rebound and clears the puck.
In other words, the entire power play system needs to be fixed. Shooting the puck more is just step one.
The other fatal flaw exposed is that when goalie Henrik Lundqvist gets little to no help from his defense or shot blocking forwards, he is vulnerable. Is the team relying too heavily on the Vezina Trophy winner? It's possible.
Whatever is holding the Rangers back from being the elite team it was last season, it needs to change soon.
One solution is that the Rangers need to acquire a capable power play quarterback or point man before the trade deadline. The other solution is to hold assistant coach Mike Sullivan, the man in charge of the power play, accountable. Whether it means stripping him of his power play coaching duties or his job altogether remains to be seen. But it is obvious his style is not working.
Also, the penalty kill is nowhere near as good as it was last year. Is it the loss of Brandon Prust, or is it just a lack of mental and physical toughness altogether? After last night's loss, Tortorella bluntly stated that a handful of guys are playing "scared" and "tentative". This blogger completely agrees.
I'm not sure if this player is playing scared or tentative, but Brad Richards needs to be called out. He has not played to his potential so far, and has made some mind-boggling blind backhand passes and has just looked lackadasical at other times. He needs to get going immediately.
The loss of captain Ryan Callahan has hurt this team much more than I thought. The mental and physical toughness, the hallmark of this team, is sorely lacking in his absence. The good news is that he may return this weekend.
The other good news is that the front office is being proactive in addressing the team's issues. They recently traded ultra-useless fourth liner Mike Rupp to Minnesota in exchange for shot-blocking specialist Darrell Powe and minor leaguer Nick Palmieri. The call up of top prospect J.T. Miller will provide a huge boost to this team. Him and other top prospect Chris Krieder were by far the best players on the ice not named Rick Nash last night against the Devils. Miller, though only 19, already looks NHL ready. Tortorella also stated that jobs are at stake for some regulars that are playing scared. As stated before, a trade for a power play quarterback will really help, as well.
Again, it is not time to panic, Ranger fans. As of tonight, they are only one point out of a playoff spot. As the LA Kings proved last year, you can simply get in to the playoffs, then go on a cup run. Seeds don't matter anymore. There is still plenty of time to turn this thing around.
But the improvements need to come soon, otherwise it may be time to place your hands on the panic button.
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