Derrick Brassard 1.JPG

New York Rangers center Derick Brassard leads the team on the powerplay with 10 powerplay assists and four goals.

(AP Photo/Lenny Ignelzi)

After an underwhelming performance with the extra man throughout last season, the New York Rangers have finally found their true power-play expert -- and it's not Dan Boyle.

Signing a $5 million extension in the offseason, Derrick Brassard has come back to live up to the pay raise averaging nearly a point-per-game this season.

The center's biggest influence can be felt on the power play, and though Boyle was brought in during the offseason to be the biggest catalyst in the situation, Brassard has been able to take the spotlight with crisp passing and smart decisions.

Brassard's in the upper-echelon of the league in power-play points with 14, tying him with the likes of Alex Ovechkin, Tyler Seguin, and Anze Kopitar among others, and has been able to take his overall game to a new level with point totals on pace for his personal bests.

The former Columbus Blue Jacket is on track for 72 points this season, including 48 assists -- the most points for a Rangers center since Michael Nylander's 83 in the 06-07 season.

While his spot on the team was in question as the Rangers lost Brad Richards in the offseason and the search for another top center was on, Glenn Sather and company had their man all along with Brassard and thus far he is proving it in 2015.

The center has found a perfect role on the top line with Mats Zuccarello and Rick Nash.

The combination shows no signs of slowing down any time soon and Brassard's work on the power play has proven instrumental in the Blueshirts' recent success.