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New York Rangers: Post lockout March Madness bracket region 3

By Nicholas Zararis

NEW YORK, NY - MARCH 09: Former Rangers player Rick Nash takes the ice to drop the ceremonial puck prior to the game between the New York Rangers and the New Jersey Devils at Madison Square Garden on March 9, 2019 in New York City. (Photo by Jared Silber/NHLI via Getty Images)
NEW YORK, NY - MARCH 09: Former Rangers player Rick Nash takes the ice to drop the ceremonial puck prior to the game between the New York Rangers and the New Jersey Devils at Madison Square Garden on March 9, 2019 in New York City. (Photo by Jared Silber/NHLI via Getty Images) /
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SUNRISE, FL – DECEMBER 31: Martin St. Louis #26 of the New York Rangers skates with the puck during a NHL game against the Florida Panthers at BB&T Center on December 31, 2014 in Sunrise, Florida. (Photo by Ronald C. Modra/NHL/ Getty Images)
SUNRISE, FL – DECEMBER 31: Martin St. Louis #26 of the New York Rangers skates with the puck during a NHL game against the Florida Panthers at BB&T Center on December 31, 2014 in Sunrise, Florida. (Photo by Ronald C. Modra/NHL/ Getty Images) /

Martin St. Louis (2) vs Brendan Smith (15)

The Martin St. Loius effect on the 2014 Rangers playoff run is a story worth repeating for as long as the team remains in the league. New York was dead to rights down 3-1 against the Pittsburgh Penguins, a team the Rangers had never defeated in the postseason prior to that year. After the sudden and tragic passing of St. Louis’ mother, the Rangers won three straight and advanced.

They went on to defeat the Canadiens in the conference final in part due to St. Louis game four overtime winner. The impact of having a legend of the game around a young team that was still finding its footing was absolutely invaluable. St. Louis, along with the three seed in this region served as the team’s de facto captains on a Cup final run.

While Brendan Smith’s 2016-2017 impact was valuable, he gave the defense a sense of balance and allowed rookie Brady Skjei to find his footing. In the playoffs, the former Detroit Red Wing truly shined as a shot suppressing defenseman and was truly a shutdown force.

Now, his four-year contract is viewed as an albatross, but, at the time he played his way into that deal. Smith played with an edge and was effective as both a skater as well as a decision maker. What made him so effective during that 20 game stretch just doesn’t appear to be a part of his game anymore.

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