GREENBURGH - The early stat line for the Rangers’ third defense pair doesn’t look especially tidy, but that’s only part of the picture when it comes to 18-year-old rookie Alberts Smits.
Braden Schneider and Smits have been on the ice together for 52 minutes, 32 seconds, and the usual possession numbers tilt against them. The Rangers have been outshot 32-19 in those minutes, trail 63-41 in shot attempts and 31-22 in scoring chances, and their expected goals against sit at 4.1 compared with 2.25 for.
But the results have gone the Rangers’ way more often than not. Schneider and Smits have been on the ice for three Rangers goals and just one against, and the high-danger chances are nearly even at 14 for and 13 against. The pair also looked sharper in Tuesday’s win over the Islanders, when they played 8:37 together and the Rangers came out ahead in shots on goal 5-4 and goals 1-0, even though shot attempts were 13-11 against them.
Rangers coach Mike Sullivan said Thursday he likes what he’s seen from the pair since the team returned to practice after a day off.
“I think it's been pretty good,’’ Sullivan said. “I think those guys have worked well together.
You know, Schneider is such a great person. He's a good partner for Smitty to have.
Coming back to the bench, having conversations on the bench in between periods, we think that that pair is only getting better.”
Smits, the Rangers’ first-round pick at fifth overall this summer, has been a regular talking point for Sullivan, who has said the staff expected the rookie to go through some growing pains. Even with those inevitable ups and downs, Sullivan has praised Smits’ poise, confidence and decision-making, along with the edge he gets from his frame - 6-3, 208 - and his experience in men’s pro leagues in Finland and Germany.
The Latvian defenseman, who also played in the Olympics and the World Championships, hasn’t recorded a point yet, but he has fit in physically. He has eight shot attempts, one shot on goal and a plus-2 rating. He’s also shown no hesitation when it comes to finishing checks, working along the boards or stepping up to keep a play alive.
Smits said the smaller NHL rink hasn’t been a major adjustment.
“No, I just had to adapt, and I try to do my best to do that as fast as possible,’’ he said. “I'm feeling great now, even playing on a small ice and smaller areas. I think it's getting better, and now I feel comfortable to play on this kind of ice.”
He is averaging 14:50 of ice time per game, and he said Schneider has been a big part of the transition. The two have been paired since the first day of training camp, and Smits said Schneider’s help comes as much from what he shows as what he says.
“He's helping me a lot,’’ Smits said. “Even when do I make mistakes, I can rely on him, that he's gonna be there and try his best to help me out when I when something (goes wrong). So I'm really happy with my ‘D’ pair, and that I can rely on him.”
Schneider, 25 and in his sixth season, said he has enjoyed helping guide the rookie through his first NHL stretch.
“He's been really impressive,’’ Schneider said. “He skates so well, (and) I think each game you can see he's getting more and more confidence. He's making plays, and I think it's been really cool to be a part of him, and be a part of his journey here to start the NHL.
“And I think we are pretty happy with how our game has gone so far.”
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