Rangers ‘D’ rates ‘A’
TEAM-WIDE defensive improvement was a top priority for the Rangers entering training camp after ugly defensive-zone errors and poor puck management plagued the club during last season. So far, in a limited sample size of six games, they’ve improved enough to where they are allowing fewer shots and in turn, creating more chances for themselves.
Before play began on Tuesday, the Rangers had the fourthbest shot differential per game in the NHL at plus-six, trailing Washington (+8.4,) Florida (+7.6) and San Jose (+6.2.) The Rangers (4-2,) who host the Bruins tonight, defeated the Sharks last Monday and the Capitals on Saturday in Washington.
Alain Vigneault believes the new fast-paced identity his club is building has allowed it to defend better and counter-attack more often.
“It seems a lot of times in our own end we’re finding spots where we can outnumber the opposition, make it real hard for them to make plays,” Vigneault said after Tuesday’s practice in Greenburgh. “It hasn’t been perfect, but I do believe we’re on the right track as far as playing when we don’t have the puck the way we have to play.
“I think that part is permitting us to do the other step, which is create opportunities on the rush and to get the proper movement in the offensive end. For me, it all revolves around there. When you play well when you don’t have the puck and you’re quick to your assignments and you’re quick to check and you’re quick to stick-on-puck, you make it very hard on the opposition.”
The Rangers are allowing an average of 25.3 shots per game, thirdfewest in the league entering Tuesday, which was only 0.1 behind St. Louis. Captain Ryan McDonagh says the team has done a better job of getting numbers back and allowing fewer odd-man rushes while showing better overall judgment.
Are the days of defensive disarray over with? McDonagh — who the last four games has been paired with Nick Holden, whom the Rangers acquired from Colorado during the offseason — says six games against mostly quality opposition give them plenty of good video to look at.
“We’re pretty confident,” said McDonagh, who has been leading the defensive corps with superb two-way play. “Obviously it’s gonna be a test every night. We’re not really thinking about last year. We’ve kind of got obviously new faces and a new group up front and a few in the back, but I just like the fact that we’re communicating and we’re making really good reads, understanding when we’re in trouble and when it’s time to be aggressive or be patient.”
l Chris Kreider (neck spasms) likely won’t play tonight and is “a little more than day to day,” Vigneault said. Pavel Buchnevich (back spasms) returned to practice in a non-contact jersey and could play as early as Friday. J.T. Miller received a maintenance day Tuesday but should play tonight.