The Rangers power-play units have seen more personnel movement in the past couple of weeks than they’ve seen all season.
It has led to some natural growing pains, especially considering the top unit in particular has rarely undergone changes in the past few seasons.
The most recent alignment has Zac Jones, Mika Zibanejad, J.T. Miller and Vincent Trocheck, while the second features K’Andre Miller, Jonny Brodzinski, Brennan Othmann, Alexis Lafrenière and Will Cuylle.
“Yeah, it’s been different, so we’re working through it a little bit,” head coach Peter Laviolette said. “Even that being said, they had point-blank chances to score and it didn’t find the back of the net.”
The Rangers were 0-for-4 with just three shots on goal with the man advantage in their 3-2 overtime loss to the Capitals on Wednesday night at the Garden, giving the team a 3-for-16 showing since returning from the 4 Nations Face-Off break.
“We were up 2-1 in the third and they take advantage of their power play,” Zibanejad said. “I don’t know if that’s the one power-play opportunity that we should do more of, I think we should be able to do more on the power-play opportunities that we had. Power play could’ve probably helped us, but again, I think the five-on-five stuff and even the little things on our PK we did well.”
Igor Shesterkin stopped 23 of the 26 shots he faced in his 21st loss of the season.
Since 2021-22, the star netminder ranks fourth in wins (130), third in save percentage (.918) and fourth in goals against average (2.48).
Despite allowing one or fewer goals in 11 of his 21 wins, Shesterkin’s numbers on the season have taken a bit of hit as the team has struggled.
Chris Kreider missed his sixth straight game with an upper-body injury.
He continues to skate with the Rangers in practices and morning skates.
Reilly Smith was held out for a third consecutive game for roster management purposes ahead of Friday’s trade deadline.
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