So much has been discussed about where the New York Rangers defense went wrong and the issues that became more glaring as the season and postseason progressed.
Dan Girardi’s game has deteriorated, despite him playing with the Rangers’ top defenseman Ryan McDonagh. His game is fundamentally flawed, as his role of a shutdown defensemen is ineffective. He bleeds shots because of ill-timed blocked shots and blocked shot attempts.
Marc Staal’s play has diminished in recent seasons and the once reliable homegrown Ranger has become a defensive liability. Kevin Klein also regressed this season, which was as to be expected from his last two seasons, but it was something that this already weak defense could not afford.