So why is the Rangers power play still stinkeroo under Coach Torts? That was a big hole in Tom Renney's Blueshirt coaching responsibilities. Renney had a chronic inability to build a power play unit that could score. Is the problem really a congenital defect of the Rangers roster that no amount of tinkering can fix?
The good news is, at least, the Rangers have stopped the massive bleeding, that is, giving up short handed goals in bunches. More good news is that, after over a month on the job and thirteen games, coach Tortorella himself has finally figured out that he has a serious PP problem. His team is seriously handicapped, or if you want to say has special needs. He could have saved himself a lot of time if he'd read a few Rangers blogs.
For example, like our Section 335 has observed:
The Shot Not Taken --
unless the Rangers improved on the power play [this year] they would be burnt toast...Today, Katie Strang at Newsday brings us up to speed, as Torts finally tries to get the PP up to speed. Thank you very much Coach T.
Katie Strang / Newsday:
Rangers' stagnant power play concerns Tortorella --
Tortorella doesn't care about [crummy power play] statistics, standings or rankings. After his team didn't convert on back-to-back power plays while up 2-1 against Minnesota Tuesday, however, he became concerned.ICINGS Update:
"We end up winning the game, but you stand behind the bench and you say, 'We just go 0-for-2 at a key time in the game, is it going to come back and bite you?' That's where we need to be more consistent, is scoring a big goal," Tortorella said yesterday. "I don't care if we're 1-for-7, 1-for-8, if it's a big goal at a key time in the game, that's the most important thing with special teams right now."
Moving with and without the puck, Tortorella said, will be a focus to improve the unit...
Andrew Gross / Rangers Rants:
Valiquette gets the start --
Live from Atlanta, where I'm kicking myself for blogging yesterday I thought Henrik Lundqvist would start tonight because, of course, Steve Valiquette is getting the start. The reason I'm kicking myself was discussing the Rangers (lack of) goalie rotation with a colleague on Sunday before the Ottawa game, we agreed that this Atlanta game would be a perfect spot to start Valiquette, especially with an afternoon game coming up in Pittsburgh Saturday...
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