Rangers run with stacked top power-play unit

Blessed with an enviable core of forwards, the New York Rangers have experimented with balancing their scoring lines when teams are at even strength.

It looks like they will take a different strategy when it comes to their top power-play unit, based on a Bergen Record report.

Rangers captain Ryan Callahan centered the unit during Thursday’s practice and was flanked by Marian Gaborik and Rick Nash. Brad Richards and Michael Del Zotto served as the points.

When it came to five-on-threes, Derek Stepan replaced the lone defenseman, Del Zotto. Nash also positioned his 6-foot-4, 213-pound frame closer to the net during that scenario.

“He’s a big body he can turn his back, and shield guys and get it back to the point or Gabby in the corner,” Richards said of Nash. “People who are going to jump him are going to think twice because he’s a big body and they don’t want to get caught out of position. We all know it’s only going to help.”

At least on paper, that potential group looks like it could be the most dangerous in the NHL.

The Rangers earned the first seed in the Eastern Conference last season, but they were near the bottom of the pack when it came to their power-play conversation rate. However, they did far better with the man advantage during the playoffs and the addition of Rick Nash gives them yet another weapon to work with.