New York Rangers Face Special Teams Struggles in the Postseason
As the New York Rangers push toward the playoffs, one glaring issue threatens their success—special teams. More specifically, their power play has been one of the worst in the NHL, currently ranking 26th in the league. With a power-play success rate of just 18.0%, according to ESPN, the Rangers have struggled to capitalize on man-advantage opportunities, making it a significant weakness in their game.
A Power-Play Unit Failing to Deliver
The Rangers have scored one power-play goal in the last 12 games.
It’s the first time since 2017 the team has gone at least 12 games with one or fewer power play goals.
Just the 10th time since 1999. This has been a historically bad power play.@NYRangersRadio | #NYR pic.twitter.com/rXB2EcnEHr
— Steven Pappas (@StevenPappasTV) March 26, 2025
Under head coach Peter Laviolette, the Rangers have only managed to score a single power-play goal in their last twelve games. Such inefficiency is alarming, especially as they prepare for the intensity of the playoffs. This dry spell on special teams mirrors a similar slump from 2017 when the team faced comparable scoring difficulties during a stretch of games.
Despite these struggles, the team’s power-play units have remained largely unchanged. A look at DailyFaceOff’s line combinations shows that Laviolette has continued to rely on the same group of players rather than making significant adjustments. Veteran forward Chris Kreider remains a fixture on the first power-play unit, even though his recent production has been underwhelming.
Analyzing the last ten games, only a handful of players have contributed to the power-play point totals. JT Miller, Alexis Lafreniere, Mika Zibanejad, and Artemi Panarin have each managed just one power-play point, with Lafreniere being the only exception, recording two points. Such limited offensive output highlights the urgent need for adjustments.
Front Office Decisions and Coaching Adjustments Needed
For general manager Chris Drury, this ongoing struggle should be a major concern. If the Rangers have invested in advanced analytics, their specialists should be sounding the alarm on the team’s power-play inefficiencies. However, if the front office lacks analytical expertise, the team may be relying solely on the coaching staff’s observations—an approach that has yet to yield positive results.
This situation places considerable pressure on both Drury and Laviolette. The team must find a way to revitalize their power play, whether by introducing fresh personnel into the special teams unit or by implementing strategic adjustments. Laviolette, in particular, faces the challenge of reworking his approach to give the Rangers a better chance at success.
Urgency to Find Solutions Before the Playoffs
The Rangers’ ongoing power-play struggles not only impact their ability to score but also place additional pressure on their even-strength play and defensive units. As the postseason approaches, finding a solution to this issue will be crucial. Without improvements, the team risks entering the playoffs with a major disadvantage, making it even more difficult to compete against top opponents.
Ultimately, whether Drury steps in to push for roster adjustments or Laviolette finds a way to reignite his special teams, changes must be made. The current approach is not working, and unless the Rangers can correct course, their playoff aspirations may be in jeopardy.