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Looking into the New York Rangers defense – and their underlying offense

By Jake Mozarsky

PITTSBURGH, PA - DECEMBER 20: Braden Schneider #4 of the New York Rangers moves the puck under pressure from Brock McGinn #23 of the Pittsburgh Penguins in the third period during the game at PPG PAINTS Arena on December 20, 2022 in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. (Photo by Justin Berl/Getty Images)
PITTSBURGH, PA - DECEMBER 20: Braden Schneider #4 of the New York Rangers moves the puck under pressure from Brock McGinn #23 of the Pittsburgh Penguins in the third period during the game at PPG PAINTS Arena on December 20, 2022 in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. (Photo by Justin Berl/Getty Images) /
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PITTSBURGH, PA – MAY 13: Ryan Lindgren #55 of the New York Rangers talks with Adam Fox #23 during a stoppage in play in Game Six of the First Round of the 2022 Stanley Cup Playoffs against the Pittsburgh Penguins at PPG PAINTS Arena on May 13, 2022, in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. (Photo by Kirk Irwin/Getty Images)
PITTSBURGH, PA – MAY 13: Ryan Lindgren #55 of the New York Rangers talks with Adam Fox #23 during a stoppage in play in Game Six of the First Round of the 2022 Stanley Cup Playoffs against the Pittsburgh Penguins at PPG PAINTS Arena on May 13, 2022, in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. (Photo by Kirk Irwin/Getty Images) /

The next question is this: when the Rangers are at their best, which player is on the ice?

The obvious answer might be Adam Fox and Ryan Lindgren, and MoneyPuck shows this metric by measuring On-Ice expected goal percentage (xGoal%) versus Off Ice expected goal percentage. Here’s where the players rank, starting with the category “Better with Him”:

Adam Fox:  57.90% On Ice xGoal%, 45.11 Off Ice xGoal%

Ryan Lindgren: 54.70% On Ice xGoal%, 46.66 Off Ice xGoal%

According to MoneyPuck, the Rangers expected goals for skyrocket when Fox and Lindgren are on the ice, especially when they are together. But, this is not the only pair that sees positive metrics. Trouba and Miller, even with their struggles, are just about average:

K’Andre Miller: 49.30% On Ice xGoal%, 50.36 Off Ice xGoal%

Jacob Trouba: 48.40% On Ice xGoal%, 50.90 Off Ice xGoal%

To have one defensive pair far into the best quadrant and to have one on the line with improvement is a good thing to have. Even Braden Schneider has an On Ice xGoal% of 43.9%, which is not terrible.

This stat shows that the Rangers have four, even five, defensemen where its offensive production is regarded as better when they are on the ice. Positives can be taken here.

Let’s look at one more stat.

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