Will the Rangers goaltending benefit from Jacques Martin defensive structure?

Three on two across the line, pass across, shot and kicked out in front.

It should come as no surprise that the New York Rangers goaltenders faced some of the highest levels of rush and rebound attempts in the NHL. As a team, the Rangers allowed 123 rush attempts during the season, ranking third in the NHL. Rush attempts against are generally the result of improper defensive positioning on the ice, compounded by individual mistakes, such as pinching at the blue line. Rush attempts generally create high quality scoring opportunities adding to the goaltenders workload stress.

Calculated per 60 minutes for goalies with 12 games played, Rangers goaltenders individually ranked fourth (Henrik Lundqvist – 1.99), 23rd (Georgiev – 1.68) and 37th (Igor Shesterkin – 1.47) in rush attempts against. This does indicate defensive improvement as the season progressed, but not nearly enough. In comparison, Penguins goaltenders ranked 32nd (Murray – 1.49) and 41st (Jarry – 1.45). Continued improvement in this area alone would drastically reduce the consistent pressure on the goaltenders.

The trickle down effect by rush attempt prevention would directly impact the number of rebound opportunities given up. Certainly, rush opportunities are not the only way to create rebounds, but they are an effective method. Ranger fans should remember full well how a rush opportunity can create a rebound chance. Alex Martinez scored the 2014 Stanley Cup winning goal on such a play.

Combined, the Rangers trio faced 300 rebound opportunities over 70 games, most in the NHL. On a per 60 minute average Lundqvist (4.85) and Shesterkin (4.77) faced the most and second most rebound opportunities in the league. Georgiev ranked 30th with 3.68 rebound attempts and the Penguins goaltenders came in at 56th and 62nd out of 71 goalies with 12 appearances.  A goaltenders individual rebound control will factor into these totals, but Rush opportunities play their part as well.

The largest factor however in creating rebound opportunities is shot quality. Each of the Rangers netminders ranked in the top 14 in the NHL for HD shots faced. Shesterkin ranked second (10.32), Lundqvist sixth (9.85) and Georgiev 14th (9.29) per 60 minutes with a minimum of 12 games played. Conversely, out of the 71 goaltenders listed, Murray ranks 44th (8.15) and Jarry 59th (7.51). Jacques Martin’s influenced defensive structure that suppresses shots, pushes back the shot distance and reduces rush opportunities will greatly cut back on Shesterkin and Georgiev’s workload.