Dominic Moore providing the Rangers with championship calibre depth

Despite being lumbered with Tanner Glass as a linemate, Dominic Moore has once again provided the Rangers with a quality depth player, the kind of player who makes a difference in the playoffs. In the playoffs, games are traditionally much tighter affairs and it is often the role players that need to step up (think Mike Rupp for the Devils or Alec Martinez for the Kings last summer) and Moore is a player that always works hard and contributes in so many ways. Indeed, Moore has given the Rangers a little bit of everything this season.

On a team that struggles in the faceoff circle, Moore has been the Rangers best faceoff specialist with a 54.3% success rate (at time of writing), a number that’s also good for a top twenty ranking league wide (players with at least 500 faceoffs taken) and that skill has played a big part in helping Moore be a key part of the Rangers penalty kill which had risen to 7^th in the league. Moore leads all Rangers forwards in shorthanded ice time and also has two SH goals to his name.

Moore has started just 25.3% of his shifts in the offensive zone this season yet has also contributed offensively with a solid 24 points (third highest total of his career) including three goals in his last two games. It’s also the way Moore has scored his goals; whether it be a redirection or streaking to the net to convert centering feeds (kudos, Tanner Glass the playmaker…) Dominic Moore is doing the right things so consistently. He’s going to the net, he’s going to the dangerous areas of the ice and as such he’s been rewarded with offense despite only averaging around 14 minutes ice time per game.

Given the season long rotation of linemates Moore has had to tolerate, and played primarily in his defensive role, Moore’s output has been a pleasant surprise to the Rangers. While offense isn’t necessarily expected from Moore it’s certainly proof of how he has helped impact games to such positive effect. The Rangers are blessed with enviable depth and Moore has also proven that for short periods of time he can play on a higher line and still contribute.

Having players like Dominic Moore is why the Rangers can be bullish about their chances of outlasting the rest of the league in the playoffs this spring. Moore appears to be like a fine wine; his play is certainly getting better with age and he’s also an excellent example to younger players like Jesper Fast and JT Miller. Indeed, Moore’s game will have surely had a positive influence on Fast this season. Fast has developed tremendously this season and along with Moore helps gives the Rangers a strong fourth line that Alain Vigneault can be confident in deploying.

Depth often wins championships and having an excellent veteran such as Dominic Moore to call upon, the Rangers are in a good position with the playoffs looming. Here’s hoping Dominic Moore gets to call himself a Stanley Cup champion this spring. If the Rangers do win it all, don’t be surprised if Moore played a significant role.