Dan Girardi played an integral role in the New York Rangers’ success in their first round matchup against the Montreal Canadiens, as they moved on to the second round on Saturday.
The New York Rangers’ defenseman has struggled in his play over the last two seasons but proved to be one of the team’s most reliable defensemen through the first six games of the playoffs.
Breaking it Down
Girardi has been a great compliment to Ryan McDonagh as a part of the top defensive pair for the New York Rangers. Girardi has an average time on ice this postseason of 22:13, second to McDonagh’s 26:25. He sits at a plus-2 rating has 21 blocked shots and 17 hits (including a huge one on Andrew Shaw in Game Five).
Oh man Andrew Shaw just got crushed by Dan Girardi pic.twitter.com/s3mKnPIXY4
— Shane O'Donnell (@shane1342o) April 21, 2017
Why it’s Working
Girardi has been physical, but not so much so that he takes himself out of plays. He has done a good job using that physicality to knock opponents off the puck in the corners and force the puck into transition.
His usual inclining to chase pucks behind the net, as well as his habit of laying out in front of plays (sometimes when it’s necessary, usually when it’s not though) is under control.
Girardi has done a good job boxing out players in front of the net, effectively taking them out of situations where they could deflect pucks. Additionally, in plays from the point, Girardi has put himself in front of pucks and in lanes to reduce dangerous attempts on net, making Henrik Lundqvist’s job a little bit easier.
All of these things have allowed him to move the puck into transition. He has been a solid asset on the penalty kill because of how solid he has been in 5-on-5 play. All of the positive aspects of Girardi’s game are shining in man-down situations, and are ultimately making him an important piece of the Rangers defense.
Looking to the Second Round
To have a solid top defensive pair will be vital to the Rangers success when it comes to facing Ottawa in round two.
The defense was one of the biggest question marks for the Rangers heading into the postseason, Girardi’s play against Montreal has provided some relief to some of the defensive woes they have faced this season.
In the first six games of the postseason, Girardi has established himself a steady compliment to Ryan McDonagh. In the second round, the Rangers will face an Ottawa team that saw a good deal of production in the first round.
Former New York Ranger, Derek Brassard, leads the Senators in the playoffs with eight points (two goals, six assists), Bobby Ryan leads in goals (four) and has three assists, and Erik Karlsson had six assists in the series.
And the rest of the roster is just as threatening.
The Rangers will rely on for Girardi and McDonagh to shut down these players when they are on the ice. Though there are still uncertainties in the Rangers’ defensive end — specifically with the recent play of Marc Staal and Nick Holden — having a top line the Rangers can depend on would be a huge positive.
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Girardi has proven that he can make an impact and so long as he remains physical, responsible and reliable against a dangerous Ottawa offense, he will be a key to the Rangers getting past the second round.