The Rangers as a whole need some vast improvement in their even-strength play, but the first unit is expected to lead the way and Laviolette felt a change of scenery for certain players would be be…
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At least he's not content with how he's played.
Even he knows hes not doing the usual things he's done in the past to get chances.
“Hopefully, these lines will get something going in the O-zone. Start feeling better and get some shots and chances to score a goal. I haven’t been getting those, not happy about that. That’s the first thing when you want to feel better, you need to get chances. So that’s the plan.”
Last year he would get lots of chances but couldnt cash in. He would control the puck leading to possession time and 3rd assists. The way it looked in camp suggested he might turn the corner in this regard, but since then his game has reverted. We cant forget all of this.
He just needs to get back to that style again when he was effective, getting chances and setting them up. I believe it will come around. But he's gotta will it back into existence. Hopefully some good things start happening for him and it will break this funk he's in.
We also saw him go back at some players in preseason when challenged physically - it was a good thing to see. The effort is there and hes been physical using the body, but not in that aggressive retaliatory manner. Hes just been ho-hum. Lack of confidence and you can see it. He needs to power through and start playing pissed off like hes got something to prove again. Stop being mad at himself and get mad at the opposition. Play with some fire and show us all and to yourself that you want to beat them. Its there he just needs to find it again.
