New York Rangers: Playing 13 Forwards Can Solve Defensive Woes

After a Game Four victory, the New York Rangers are tied with the Montreal Canadiens. Even with that win, however, there are still serious concerns about the defense. An off-the-wall strategy might be the key to solving them.

The New York Rangers rolled out their most skilled forward lineup since last fall for Game Four. To nobody’s surprise, they out-skated, out-shot, and generally dominated their way to a victory.

The presence of Pavel Buchnevich in the lineup was a catalyst, especially on a line with Chris Kreider and Mika Zibanejad. The fact that Buchnevich drew into the lineup over Tanner Glass, who was one of the Rangers’ better players in the first three games, is proof of their offensive depth.

Meanwhile, Nick Holden was reunited with Marc Staal on a defensive pair, and the result was equally as expected. They routinely allowed Montreal to enter the offensive zone. Holden demonstrated one of the worst attempts at defending a 2-on-1 the NHL may have ever seen.

Related Story: Nick Holden Tries (Fails) to Defend 2-on-1

While many have clamored for the more skilled, puck-moving Adam Clendening to enter into the lineup over Holden, it’s clear Alain Vigneault won’t go that route.

Instead, the Rangers should keep playing to their skill and depth—by scratching Holden and playing 13 forwards.

Play to Your Strengths

The way the Rangers rolled out four skilled, fast lines on Tuesday night proved one thing: when they play their own game, they’re better than the Canadiens. It’s only when they try to play Montreal’s heavy hitting game that they get outplayed.

If the Rangers double down on this strategy and go with 13 forwards, they have options on who draws in. Tanner Glass is one who can be considered, with his fine play early in the series.

But with the power play struggles continuing, the Rangers should bring in Brandon Pirri. His hard, accurate shot was money on the power play point spot earlier in the season, and could be again.

While running their standard four lines, with Pirri going over the boards as a power play specialist, the Rangers’ strengths can be front and center.

Five Defensemen?

The obvious issue to this tactic is that the defense will see more ice, collectively. But with the way Vigneault played the pairs on Tuesday, Nick Holden played by far the least of the defensemen.

The trio of Ryan McDonagh, Brady Skjei, and Brendan Smith form the rock that will have to hold them up. Skjei and Smith have been impressive through four playoff games. McDonagh was not very good early in the series, but had a much better Game Four.

We all know that McDonagh can carry a heavy-minute workload, but there’s a way to keep Skjei’s ice time down, despite the shortened bench. With Pirri as a power play man, the Rangers could experiment with a five-forward power play unit.

Next: Rangers Need One Change to Lineup

One way or another, the Rangers need to find an answer to the problem of the Staal-Holden pairing. Their continued poor play has resulted in multiple goals against, including the back-breaking tying goal with 17 seconds left in Game Two.

Playing 13 forwards is unorthodox, but might just be the best answer to fit with the way the team is constructed.