16 Stats: Rangers’ special teams, Vegas’ deadline duds, Macklin Celebrini Year 1

More and more, this is starting to feel like the Rangers’ year. From the Presidents’ Trophy to the 6-0 start to the playoffs to the general vibes surrounding the team — everything is coming up New York. 

Thirty years after the franchise’s last Stanley Cup win, a year in which they also won the Presidents’ Trophy and started the playoffs 6-0, it looks like destiny is upon New York again. A big part of that is the Rangers knowing exactly who they are and embracing it wholeheartedly. 

The Rangers aren’t exactly the strongest five-on-five team and that’s played out almost as expected so far. They’ve controlled the scoring chance share just twice in the playoffs and outscored a team in the game state only once, in Game 1 against Washington. Still, the Rangers have kept it even most of the time; they’ve been outscored only once. Keeping it even qualifies as a win for the Rangers given their strengths elsewhere and that’s exactly what they’ve done against Carolina so far. The score: 4-4. The expected score: 5.2-5.1. Dead even, and that deserves a lot of credit against the Carolina Hurricanes in particular.

The difference comes down to special teams where the Rangers have obviously shined.

This is a team that lives and dies by its special teams and this year we’ve seen the best version of that. The Rangers’ 9.8 goals per 60 on the power play is the highest of this current era. Their 5.6 goals against per 60 on the penalty kill is also the lowest. And it’s translated even further to the playoffs. 

Sure, that may not be as impressive to some given their first-round opponent was a lay-up. But what they’ve done to Carolina over the first two games has been seriously eye-opening. The Rangers have scored four goals in under nine minutes on the power play against the Hurricanes (that’s 27 goals per 60 for those counting at home) while also shutting them out on the penalty kill. Considering how even the two looked on special teams during the season, that’s a massive win for the Rangers.

That the expected goals numbers (15.3 per 60 on the power play, 6.6 per 60 on the penalty kill) are also incredible suggests it’s not just puck luck, either. The Rangers are asserting where they’re best in both process and results.

That’s been the entire difference in this series, just as it’s been the entire difference in their existence as a contender. Some contenders see their special teams dry up when it matters most, but the way this team has confidently delivered on the promise of their elite skill feels special.  

It’s only been two games against the Hurricanes and we know Carolina takes its best shot at home come playoff time (more on that below), but the way the Rangers have come out so far has been seriously impressive. If they can keep this up, ending their 30-year drought is well within reach.

16 Stats

1. A lot of Rangers fans who felt disrespected by the Hurricanes being such heavy favorites per the model were quick…