Rangers
L | R | |
|---|---|---|
First Pair | Ryan Lindgren | Adam Fox |
Second Pair | K'Andre Miller | Braden Schnieder |
Third Pair | Erik Gustafsson | Jacob Trouba |
-Source: The Daily Faceoff via Stephen Whyno Twitter (Game 4) |
The Rangers boast a strong and deep defensive core expected and capable of pitching in offensively. During the regular season, 4 out of their 6 defensemen ranked in the top ten on the team in scoring. Leading the way on the back end is former Hurricane Adam Fox (This one hurt). Fox is not only the best defenseman on the team, but also in the conversation as the top defenseman in the NHL. He is a one-man breakout; capable of driving the offense and producing points, all without compromising his responsibilities in his zone. Lindgren provides Fox with a capable partner who plays a physical style of hockey. Lindgren’s scouting report states that he is a capable “Complimentary Defenseman”, exactly the way he plays within the Rangers system alongside Adam Fox. The 2nd pairing of K’Andre Miller and Braden Schnieder is expected to play fast and physically. K’Andre Miller plays a tough 2-way game and can chip in offensively. Schnieder is young (22 years old) and a former first-round pick. He is known for his strong skating ability and defensive zone play but offers little offensively. With the 3rd pairing, the Rangers boast the second-scariest opposing player in the series (the First being Matt Rempe). Jacob Trouba is a well-known “Hurricane Killer” due to his physical and borderline dirty play. We can count on Trouba throwing at least one major open-ice hit during this series that should result in a penalty, but ultimately will not. Trouba is a “Heart and Soul” team player and a great leader for the Rangers. Rounding out the Rangers Defensive core is Erik Gustafsson. Gustafsson is a skilled and steady veteran defenseman.