Pavel Buchnevich Numbers Say Recent Points Tear No Surprise
When the New York Rangers finally signed their third round pick from 2013, Russian forward Pavel Buchnevich and brought him to North America, they knew from day one that they have a skilled offensive player in the making.
It was just a matter getting adjusted to the NHL level, and comfortable to play his game before he really took off.
Maybe it was just finding the right linemates, but over the past three games, Buchnevich has showed just how much offensive potential he has, registering five points in that span - which also includes his first three goals of his NHL career.
In what is an example of how the game has changed, a move to the fourth line has helped the Russian forward to explode offensively, matched with center Brandon Pirri and Jesper Fast.
A further look at his 5 on 5 time production, showed that it was only a matter of time before Buchnevich exploded offensively.
Among all forwards with at least 100 minutes of 5 on 5 ice time, Buchnevich has posted the seventh highest Scoring-Chances-For-Per-60 (SCF/60) minutes, as well as the sixth best Goals-For-Per-60 minutes (GF/60). He also has the 11th highest team shooting percentage while he is on the ice.
Plain and simple, when he has been on the ice, the Rangers are routinely in position to put the puck in the net.
It could be because of plays like this,
Or maybe a shot like that, this happens to be the first goal of his career.
His center has certainly seen the change in the 21 year old forward, saying this about him in a New York Daily News article,
“I think after he got that first (goal) he’s a different player,” said Pirri. “Now he’s smiling and he’s dominating when he has the puck. The last couple of games I should’ve had a couple where he fed me right in front.”
This is easily one of the deepest teams the Rangers have had in some time, maybe even more so than the one who made it all the way to the Stanley Cup Final.
Mika Zibanejad is acclimating himself well after coming over from Ottawa in a trade. J.T. Miller and Kevin Hayes are playing on the ‘third line’ and are in a tie for the team lead in points. The other member of the line, Michael Grabner, is in a tie with Rick Nash for the team lead in points.
Buchnevich is just a small part of early success the Rangers have had, but certainly an important one.
After getting blown away by their divisional rival, the Pittsburgh Penguins, in just five games in the playoffs last year, the Rangers certainly have the look of a team that could go stride for stride with the defending Stanley Cup Champs.
