Alexis Lafrenière has one purpose in his first eight video games of the season. The identical for Will Cuylle.
For a duo that mixed to attain 37 targets final season — with extra anticipated this season from the younger gamers — it’s been a disappointing begin.
And it’s a minimum of a part of the rationale the Rangers have been so inconsistent on offense within the early a part of this 12 months.
“I feel there’s one other degree to their recreation,’’ head coach Mike Sullivan mentioned of Lafrenière and Cuylle following Wednesday’s follow in Tarrytown.
For Lafrenièere, who turned 24 earlier this month, it’s a part of an extended regression after scoring 28 targets two seasons in the past.
“Simply hold going, hold capturing,” Lafrenière mentioned of his mentality regardless of the dearth of targets. “I’m getting probabilities; they’re not moving into.”
Lafrenière trails solely Mika Zibanejad with 22 photographs on purpose for the Rangers, whereas Cuylle is sixth on the group with 18.
“A few of the discussions we’ve had is to attempt to encourage them to get to the inside slightly bit extra,’’ Sullivan mentioned of the efforts to spark scoring with Lafrenière and Cuylle. “It’s extra of a mindset of making an attempt to get contained in the dots, whether or not it’s going to the online — and staying on the web — or off the push.”
Sullivan needs them to place themselves in higher spots to have extra alternatives to make the most of errors.
“They’re gifted sufficient to have the power to make that subsequent play and rating,’’ Sullivan mentioned.
Sullivan briefly acquired on his group throughout a power-play drill within the second half of Wednesday’s prolonged follow.
He mentioned that was unrelated to the message he delivered to his gamers for a number of minutes at heart ice following follow.
“That was completely different,’’ Sullivan mentioned. “That was between me and the group.”
Of the outburst through the energy play, Sullivan mentioned, “We’re making an attempt to get higher on either side of particular groups. Our penalty kill has to pay extra consideration to element.”
He needs the penalty kill to be as sturdy as the ability play, even in exercises.
“Generally I feel there’s an inclination, for no matter cause, in follow in particular groups for the penalty kill to possibly give the ability play extra of a chance to have success,’’ Sullivan mentioned. “We take a look at it in a different way. We wish our penalty kill to compete extraordinarily arduous towards our energy play and push them to be at their perfect.’’
For a power-play unit that hasn’t produced a lot, Sullivan would love them to have a extra aggressive strategy in relation to getting pucks on web as a way to make one thing occur.
Igor Shesterkin continues to steer the NHL in targets towards common (1.17) and save share (.957).
“He’s one of many elite goalies within the league,’’ Sullivan mentioned. “As a coach, typically you take a look at the online and simply his presence alone, there’s not so much to shoot at.”
And he credited the protection for aiding in Shesterkin’s sturdy begin.
“I feel it goes hand-in-hand,’’ Sullivan mentioned, noting the group has finished a stable job of limiting shot high quality and second-chance alternatives.
