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Five greatest defense pairs in Rangers team history

By Steve Paulus

2004 Season: Player Brian Leetch of the New York Rangers. (Photo by Bruce Bennett Studios via Getty Images Studios/Getty Images)
2004 Season: Player Brian Leetch of the New York Rangers. (Photo by Bruce Bennett Studios via Getty Images Studios/Getty Images) /
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NEW YORK, NY – FEBRUARY 06: Ryan McDonagh #27 (R) talks with Dan Girardi #5 of the New York Rangers during the third period against the Edmonton Oilers at Madison Square Garden on February 6, 2014 in New York City. The Oilers defeat the Rangers 2-1. (Photo by Maddie Meyer/Getty Images)
NEW YORK, NY – FEBRUARY 06: Ryan McDonagh #27 (R) talks with Dan Girardi #5 of the New York Rangers during the third period against the Edmonton Oilers at Madison Square Garden on February 6, 2014 in New York City. The Oilers defeat the Rangers 2-1. (Photo by Maddie Meyer/Getty Images) /

#3  Ryan McDonagh and Dan Girardi

After Ryan McDonagh was promoted from the AHL midway through the 2010-11 season, he soon found himself paired with Dan Girardi and the duo played together for six more years.  They were a shutdown defense pairing that saw top minutes against the opposition’s top lines.

McDonagh was the puck moving defenseman while Girardi was the shot blocking defensive stalwart.  The pair led the team to playoffs every season McDonagh was with the team, making it the Stanley Cup Finals in 2014.

Their best season as a duo was 2011-12 when both players got Norris Trophy and All-Star consideration and the team made it to the Conference Finals, losing to the Devils in six games.  McDonagh had 32 points and was +25 while Girardi had 29 points and was +13.  Between them, they blocked 367 shots that season.  For perspective the top two shotblockers on the 2018-19 Rangers totaled 238 blocked shots.

The duo was reunited in February 2018 in Tampa when McDonagh was traded and rejoined Girardi who had signed with the Lightning after he was bought out the previous summer.

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