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Despite going on a nine-game winning streak and hovering around the top of the NHL for the best record, the New York Rangers have shown they have not been playing their best. One of the biggest holes on the team right now has been on defense where Marc Staal and Dan Girardi have left a lot to be desired, and for some reason Dylan McIlrath has been relegated to limited playing time and healthy scratches.
Head coach Alain Vigneault has praised the play of Dan Boyle and McIlrath lately, and they have been among the more consistent defensemen. One can understand sitting Boyle every now and then because of his age, but sitting McIlrath makes little sense.
McIlrath has given the Rangers something they have been lacking: A big body on the back end, and he has not shied away from sticking up for his teammates. He is not afraid to drop the gloves and has been very consistent in providing one thing that seems to be missing — defense. He also is a reminder to opposing teams that they can’t crash Henrik Lundqvist or cross-check Derek Stepan.
Perhaps Vigneault doesn’t want to wear the kid out or put too much on him in his first NHL season, but the Rangers need him right now. The defense has been pretty dreadful lately with mental mistakes and an inability to play physical is tormenting the Rangers. Girardi and Staal have been outplayed on an almost nightly basis. It is easy to say they will get better and they might very well do just that, but right now they aren’t playing well and are costing the Rangers games. Meanwhile, McIlrath is averaging just 13:22 of ice time in just six games. He needs to play more.
Vigneault needs to let go of the leash on McIlrath. It would also be nice to see Keith Yandle and Kevin Klein get more ice time. Right now it seems like Vigneault is going with what has worked in the past and hoping Girardi and Staal elevate their game. They might, but that also might be wishful thinking at this point as there has been no sign they are ready to break out of their slump.
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