The frustration with the Rangers power play finally seems to have come to a head.
After some kind words following a 1-for-5 performance in Game 1 of this first-round series against the Penguins, the Blueshirts were rather hard on themselves in the aftermath of Saturday night’s 1-for-7 performance en route to a 4-3 loss in Game 2, tying the best-of-seven series at one game apiece as the scene shifts to Pittsburgh.
“Obviously, 1-for-7 isn’t good enough,” coach Alain Vigneault said.
The Rangers man-advantage went through ups and downs all season, finishing 21st in the league (16.8 percent). And it seems there isn’t quite enough confidence left in reserve to lean on at this time.
“My comment on the power play is we have a group of guys that have frustrated themselves, and we just have to go out and get some good mojo going and find a way to pop a couple in a relax a little bit on it,” Derek Stepan said. “We’ve got a lot of guys who are gripping the stick, and there’s no need for that, especially now. We need to get some positive energy on it, zip it around, and make some plays.”
The lone goal the Rangers did manage on the power play came early in the third period, and it looked entirely different than any other opportunity this postseason. After moving the puck quickly and getting shots toward the net, it ended when Keith Yandle found Mats Zuccarello for a one-timer, then Derick Brassard swept in the rebound for his second goal of the series.
“I think we have to look at ourselves first and we have to get the job done,” Rick Nash said. “If we aren’t getting the job done [at even strength], we have to get a huge momentum off the power play. And the individuals that are that [unit] have to be a lot better.”
Defenseman Kevin Klein (broken left arm) had a hard skate on Saturday morning, not taking any contact but doing very light stick handling with the Rangers’ healthy scratches and backup goalie Cam Talbot.
Vigneault did not entirely rule out the chance that Klein could practice with the team on Sunday, yet the team’s practice schedule for before they leave for Pittsburgh was cancelled. The coach had previously said Klein would need “at least one” practice with the team before playing a game was a possibility, but he still hadn’t been cleared yet.
“I know he skated,” Vigneault said. “We’re waiting to see how the pain will be during the rest of the day.”
Klein missed the final 16 games of the regular season, breaking arm after he took a shot from Alex Ovechkin on March 11.
Yandle took consecutive hits from Penguins forward Blake Comeau early in the first period, and left for the locker room after going to the bench a little wobbly. He missed close to 10 minutes of game time, but returned late in the first and played 16:45 total.
Forward James Sheppard and defenseman Chris Summer remained the healthy scratches.