New York Rangers’ Third Line and Third Defensive Pairing Deserve More Minutes – The Hockey Writers – New York Rangers

The New York Rangers have struggled over the past few weeks, especially in the defensive zone and allowing their opponents to get multiple high danger scoring chances over the course of a game. While they have been able to squeak out some wins thanks to brilliant goaltending from both Igor Shesterkin and Jonathan Quick, they haven’t been able to get wins against the top teams in the league like the Winnipeg Jets and the Florida Panthers.

A major reason as to why these struggles have continued is because a majority of the top players have not played like should have so far this season. The players who have stepped out and performed this season have been from the third line and the third defensive pairing. With them playing so well and the others continuing to struggle, these players deserve more ice time since they have been carrying the load both offensively and defensively.

Rangers’ Third Line is One of the Best Lines in the Entire NHL

Last season, the Rangers’ third line was always an area of concern, especially after Filip Chytil went down with injury. The line was never able to provide consistent offense and it struggled mightily in the playoffs. Now, entering this season, with a healthy Chytil coming back with a point to prove, his return has given a spark to the third line and his linemates, Will Cuylle and Kaapo Kakko, have been been able to up their games from last season and they have been one of the best lines in the NHL this season.

When this trio has been on the ice, they have not allowed a goal against and have outscored their opponents 11-0. This line was the only consistent line for the Rangers in their game against the Jets and they scored two of the three goals. Cuylle got the first goal when he put in the rebound chance and then in the third period, Kakko got a goal by — once again — going to the front of the net and getting a rebound. This line plays in a way that uses all of its players’ strengths to their advantage and it has worked extremely well. They were broken up for a little while, but now they have been put back together, there is no reason to split them up again anytime soon.

Zac Jones and Braden Schneider are the Rangers’ Best Defensive Pair

One of the biggest questions the Rangers needed to answer about their defense recently was which player would get the sixth defensive spot between Zac Jones and Victor…