GREENBURGH - The early metrics might suggest the Rangers’ third pair has been fighting uphill, but the eye test tells a different story for Braden Schneider and rookie Alberts Smits.
Through 52 minutes, 32 seconds together, the pair has been on the wrong side of the usual numbers at Natural Stat Trick. The Rangers have been outshot 32-19, outattempted 63-41 and outchanced 31-22 with Schneider and Smits on the ice. Their expected goals against sit at 4.1, well above their 2.25 expected goals for.
And yet the goals have tilted the other way. The Rangers have scored three with that pair on the ice and allowed only one.
The high-danger chances are nearly even at 14 for and 13 against, and the recent trend has been even more encouraging. In Tuesday’s game against the Islanders, Schneider and Smits were together for 8:37, and the Rangers had the edge in shots on goal, 5-4, while the shot attempts were 13-11 in the Islanders’ favor and the goals were 1-0 for the Rangers.
Asked Thursday after the Rangers returned to practice following a day off, coach Mike Sullivan said he likes what he’s seen.
“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 has been one of the team’s most closely watched storylines since the Rangers took him fifth overall in the first round this summer. Sullivan has said repeatedly that he and his staff expected some growing pains from the 18-year-old as he made the jump to the NHL, but he has also stressed the traits that have stood out: composure, confidence and decision-making. The coach has also pointed to Smits’ size, listed at 6-3 and 208 pounds, along with his background in men’s pro leagues in Finland and Germany, as real advantages for a player his age.
The rookie has looked comfortable enough through his first stretch in the league. He has not recorded a point, but he has taken eight shots, put one on goal and is plus-2.
He has shown no hesitation when it comes to finishing checks, battling along the boards or pinching down to keep plays alive. He has also been willing to absorb contact to make a play, leaning on his instincts to decide when to press and when to play it safer.
The smaller NHL ice surface, he said, has not been a problem.
“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.”
Smits is averaging 14:50 of ice time per game, and he has leaned heavily on Schneider, who has been his defense partner since the first day of training camp. Smits said Schneider’s support has helped him adjust to the league, and that much of the guidance comes through the way Schneider plays.
“He's helping me a lot,’’ Smits said. He added that he can count on Schneider when mistakes happen: “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 the responsibility that comes with helping a young defenseman find his footing.
“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.”
Despite what the numbers may say.
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