Fansided

The Rangers Need Defensive Help More Than Offensive Help

By Lucas Standel |
NEW YORK, NEW YORK - NOVEMBER 26: Dylan Holloway #55 of the Edmonton Oilers scores his first NHL goal during the third period against the New York Rangers at Madison Square Garden on November 26, 2022 in New York City. The Oilers defeated the Rangers 4-3. (Photo by Bruce Bennett/Getty Images)
NEW YORK, NEW YORK - NOVEMBER 26: Dylan Holloway #55 of the Edmonton Oilers scores his first NHL goal during the third period against the New York Rangers at Madison Square Garden on November 26, 2022 in New York City. The Oilers defeated the Rangers 4-3. (Photo by Bruce Bennett/Getty Images)

If the third-period collapse against the Edmonton Oilers at Madison Square Garden proved anything, it showed that the Rangers need defensive help. When Ryan Lindgren left the game, the entire defensive structure collapsed. This has happened on more than one occasion when one of the top four guys gets hurt, the defense can not handle it. If one of them gets a serious injury, the Rangers are going to be in serious trouble.

There have been two times when Lindgren has left a game this season. The Oilers game and a game against the Boston Bruins at MSG, where the Rangers lost 5-2. Both instances showed that the Rangers’ defense can not handle the pressure when one of the top four is out. It even happened in the playoff series against the Pittsburgh Penguins. Lindgren missed games two through four and when he came back in game five, he helped the Rangers claw back into the series.

NEW YORK, NEW YORK – NOVEMBER 26: Dylan Holloway #55 of the Edmonton Oilers scores his first NHL goal during the third period against the New York Rangers at Madison Square Garden on November 26, 2022, in New York City. The Oilers defeated the Rangers 4-3. (Photo by Bruce Bennett/Getty Images)
NEW YORK, NEW YORK – NOVEMBER 26: Dylan Holloway #55 of the Edmonton Oilers scores his first NHL goal during the third period against the New York Rangers at Madison Square Garden on November 26, 2022, in New York City. The Oilers defeated the Rangers 4-3. (Photo by Bruce Bennett/Getty Images) /

Even though the Rangers are having problems scoring goals, the goals will come. What they really need help with is defense and defensive depth. The Rangers now have more money to spend at the trade deadline thanks to the Ryan Reaves trade. While many feel they should use this money to upgrade at forward with a guy like Patrick Kane, they need to use some of the money on defense.

If one of the top four defensemen goes out with an injury, this team will be in a massive hole. If the Rangers are able to go out and acquire a defenseman who can play top-four minutes in case of an injury, it will greatly help their chances of improving their overall game. One player that comes to mind is Jacob Chychrun from the Arizona Coyotes. While it does not have to be him specifically, a player of similar caliber is what they should target as a trade acquisition.

LOS ANGELES, CALIFORNIA – NOVEMBER 22: The New York Rangers celebrate a goal against the Los Angeles Kings in the second period at Crypto.com Arena on November 22, 2022, in Los Angeles, California. (Photo by Ronald Martinez/Getty Images)
LOS ANGELES, CALIFORNIA – NOVEMBER 22: The New York Rangers celebrate a goal against the Los Angeles Kings in the second period at Crypto.com Arena on November 22, 2022, in Los Angeles, California. (Photo by Ronald Martinez/Getty Images) /

The goal-scoring problem can be solved internally. Panarin. Lafreniere and Kakko can all provide more. The defensive problem needs to be solved externally. The Rangers lack defensive depth and one key injury could cause a problem for the rest of the season. The sooner they address this problem, the better.

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