Rangers' Defensemen Metrics Raise Worries | New York Rangers News

Corey (0:00)

It's October 20th, welcome in. This is New York Rangers News Today, where your team meets AI. I'm Corey with the story. Alright, so let's break down what's going on with the Rangers this season. They're looking solid with a record of seven wins, three losses and one overtime loss. Their defense has been strong, allowing just 2.18 goals per game, which ranks fourth in the NHL. That's a good sign, but there's cause for concern lurking beneath the surface. Then, there's the revamped defense corps.

The Rangers added three new regulars in the offseason, and while they've gotten praise, the underlying metrics take a different view. The bottom two defensive pairings have been struggling with possession, allowing opponents to dominate at even strength. That's a red flag for the long haul for sure. Looking at the new guys, Sean Durzi and Marcus Pettersson seem to be passable at first glance, but the stats tell a harsh truth.

Their expected goal share is at just 42.9 percent, and they've been outchanced pretty significantly. You got to wonder how long they can hold up if that trend continues, and the issues don't stop there. The third pairing of Alberts Smits and Braden Schneider is in even worse shape. They're hitting an expected goal share of just 40 percent, which is pretty grim. It's not shocking considering Smits is still finding his way as a rookie, but Schneider hasn't exactly been a possession driver throughout his career either. So, it's a mixed bag for the Rangers. They're hot to start the season, but if those defensive metrics don't improve, it can mean trouble down the line.

Keeping up that winning energy will depend heavily on getting those defensemen to elevate their game.