Islanders Should Steal Rangers’ Formula To Become Contender

The Islanders may already have one ingredient – but they are missing at least one important piece.

The New York Rangers are making teams pay extra attention to discipline this playoffs, as putting them on the power play is a death wish. The unit is something the New York Islanders will have to at least get sorted out if they want to take the next level.

In three of the past three seasons, the Islanders have won a combined three playoff games. Part of the reason is due to their turbulent special teams. In 2023-2024, the power play ranked 19th, while the penalty kill was dead last. Both areas need to be better – and they can learn from a team that does it better than anybody.

What the Rangers do well

Over the past few seasons, the Rangers' power play has been a top-four unit on average, operating at 25.3 percent in the regular season. It's been dominant and consistent, and they are continuing to show it off in the playoffs.

Mika Zibanejad of the New York Rangers celebrates after scoring a goal during the first period against the Carolina Hurricanes in Game One of the Second Round of the 2024 Stanley Cup Playoffs (Photo by Josh Lavallee/NHLI via Getty Images)