NHL Playoffs 2012: 5 Things the New York Rangers Must Do to Avoid Elimination

Game 6 between the New York Rangers and the Ottawa Senators takes place in Canada's capital city, with a chance for the only remaining Canadian team to move onto the semifinals.

The top-seeded Rangers will have a bit of life breathed back into them with Carl Hagelin returning from a three-game suspension. However, so will Ottawa with their captain Daniel Alfredsson returning from a concussion and will have a chance at a major upset.

By no means is the series over, but if New York wants to avoid the embarrassment of losing to an eighth-seeded team and move on, some things need to change in a hurry.

In fact, here are five keys to the New York Rangers turning it around and advancing to the second round.

Improve Their Even Strength Play

The New York Rangers have just two even-strength goals in the last four of this series.

A hockey team won't win many regular season games with that type of even-strength production, much less playoff games.

Part of the reason for this has been the absence of Carl Hagelin, who has become the Rangers' best puck-possession player on offense. Other forwards like Ryan Callahan and Brandon Dubinsky have not consistently forechecked in the series.

That relentless pressure has to return if the Blueshirts want to avoid going home early.

With Hagelin's return tonight, New York should have the puck more in Ottawa's zone. 

Create Havoc in Front of Craig Anderson

Seeing a stat line of 1.78 goals against and a .943 save percentage in this series, you would think it belonged to Henrik Lundqvist.

Those are Craig Anderson's numbers.

Since looking uncomfortable in Game 1, Anderson has gotten extremely hot, stopping 130 of the last 135 shots launched on net by the Rangers. That's good for a .963 save percentage.

Talk about stingy.

It also means that Anderson has not only gotten comfortable, but is seeing the puck exceptionally well. The best way to counteract that is to get bodies to the net. Whether it be crashing the crease, setting up for deflections or capitalizing on the rebounds Anderson has left in front of him, the Rangers must make it difficult for Anderson to make a save.

Otherwise, it's Ottawa's series to win.

The Pressure Is Now on the Senators

One of the toughest things to do in hockey is closing out a playoff series. The immense pressure that comes along with winning the elimination game can make that team wither down. It's why many series over the years have gotten to 3-1, or even 3-0, before the team on the brink makes a comeback.

Expect the Senators to play with some nerves in tonight's game. The Rangers must capitalize on that.

Sure, the Blueshirts have their own pressure of needing to win the next two games to avoid elimination. But, this team has dealt with adversity all season long.

A young Senators team with a rookie head coach and a goalie that has never won a playoff series can't say the same. With Game 6 in their building and the pressure of trying to pull off an upset, this game is not a slam-dunk.

Ottawa knows it. So do the Rangers.

Win More Faceoffs

More important to improving your offense by playing better at even strength is winning faceoffs. Time of possession isn't tabulated in hockey, but the easiest way to keep the puck trapped in the opposition's zone is to win offensive-zone faceoffs.

Through five games, the Rangers are dead last out of all the playoff teams in faceoff winning percentage at 45.2 percent.

Guess who's No. 1? The Ottawa Senators at 54.8 winning percentage.

If you're constantly losing draws in your own end, you're asking for the opposition to score because you'll be using all your energy to defend. If you're not winning enough draws in the offensive zone, your offense doesn't get a chance to get in rhythm and put the opposition in a vulnerable state.

Zenon Konopka, Zack Smith and Jason Spezza (all winning more than 54 percent of their faceoffs) have been incredible in this regard.

With Brian Boyle out with a concussion, the Rangers lose one of their better faceoff men.

Who will step up in his absence?

Top Players Have to Be Better

To win in any sport, a team's best players have to play to their abilities, otherwise it's a lost cause.

One more loss for the New York Rangers, and their remarkable season will end in disappointing fashion.

For that not to happen, players other than Henrik Lundqvist must elevate their games. Marian Gaborik and Brad Richards (zero goals since Game 1) have to be more involved offensively and lead the offense. With Carl Hagelin returning, it should help them do just that.

Brandon Dubinsky and Derek Stepan have zero points in the series. Artem Anisimov does have three assists but no goals to his stat line. While notching two goals and an assist in five games, Ryan Callahan was not at his best in Game 5, looking frustrated at his team's misfortunes.

It has to change for the New York Rangers if they want to turn the tide in this series. 

Credit Ottawa for shutting down the Rangers' elite players, but the Blueshirts need maximum effort, desire and the clutch factor from their key guys if this series is to go past tonight.