New York Rangers: Excuses Vs. Legitimate Problems

Defensive Breakdowns- Legitimate Problem

If you spend any time engaging in conversation about the Rangers, then you’ve most likely heard this common excuse.

The Rangers have been playing horrible team defense this season. Defensemen and forwards alike have made a bad habit out of leaving opposing players open.

As a result, players over-commit to the opposition and their positioning falters.

These defensemen are ultimately blamed when stats show that they are on the ice for goals against.

Watch the lack of coverage from the forwards on this goal by Justin Williams:

Emerson Etem gets caught in no-mans land on this play.

Situations like this have become a common occurrence, leaving players like Marc Staal and Dan Girardi to clean up the mess.

Don’t get me wrong, Staal and Girardi are not the spring chickens they used to be, but blaming the team’s woes solely on their play is an excuse.