BY: Adam Gavriel, Exclusive to Howlings

Much to the delight of Rangers fans last night, not only did the team score four goals in the game, totaling eight in the last two, but the power play was also effective. Producing at a 1 for 4 clip, the Rangers power play was effective when they were able to gain the zone and set up.

The most encouraging product out of last night’s power play was the third goal in the game for the Rangers, Dan Girardi’s blast from the left point, to give the Rangers a 3-2 lead early in the third. A lead the Rangers would never relinquish as they went on to win the game and tie the series at two wins apiece.

It is very clear as to what helped produce the goal for Girardi. If you can recall, when Girardi received the pass from Brassard, he had room in front of him, and time to make a decision. Girardi was able to step into his shot and fire it short side on Holtby beating him to the post.

Why did Girardi have so much space? It’s simple: movement.

The cycle that led to the Girardi goal began with Zuccarello and Brassard having a quick give and go at the point. Then Brassard went to work.

In this frame, Brassard has just received the puck from Zuccarello, and the movement begins. Zuccarello hands the puck off to Brassard and immediately goes to the middle of the ice. Now Brassard has options. He has space in-front of him to skate into, he has Del Zotto (out of frame) at the blue line, and he can cycle the puck down low to Boyle. Notice how Brouwer is already cheating towards Zuccarello.

Decision made: Brassard steps into his space. Not only does Brassard take his space, but he fakes a forehand shot, and quickly puts the puck on over to his backhand. On top of the great play by Brassard, look at Zuccarello in this frame. Zuccarello has caused the Capitals diamond PK system to completely collapse towards the middle of the ice. By drawing Troy Brouwer over to cover him, this opens up a huge passing lane for Brassard to get the puck over to Girardi.

Troy Brouwer has just realized his mistake of chasing Zuccarello in the middle of the ice. All of that ice in front of Girardi is due to the movement of Zuccarello off of the puck, and the outstanding play by Brassard from the half-board. Girardi has all day to step into his shot, and line it up where he wants it to go. Knowing that Troy Brouwer is going to have to skate into the lane and attempt to block the shot, this puts another body in front of Holtby, as Giradi wires one blocker side before Brouwer can get to him.

The play comes to fruition and it is time to celebrate as the Rangers take a 3-2 lead, their power play doing the heavy lifting at an important time.

A power play lives and dies by movement off of the puck. In this case, three New York Rangers players were dishing the puck and moving, and all three were rewarded on the goal; Dan Girardi, assisted by Derick Brassard, and Mats Zuccarello.

It’s a POWER-PLAY goal!

Like this: Like Loading...