New York Rangers: Girardi's game winner does not justify him playing

New York Rangers’ head coach Alain Vigneault is up to his old tricks again, justifying his decision to play a player who doesn’t fit his system because of his name and one good game.

In hockey, and in life, sometimes we tend to get carried away in the now and forget to think about the big picture.

Well, when it comes to the New York Rangers, it appears that some people are going through this now with veteran defenseman Dan Girardi.

Girardi scored the game-winning goal early in the third period Sunday night in their win over the visiting Arizona Coyotes. The slapper from the point got through an unintentional screen by a Coyotes’ defender and passed goaltender Louis Domingue.

I will give credit where credit is due; Girardi made a nice play there with his usual inaccurate shot. I will also admit that Girardi played a decent game against the young and quick Coyotes. He was invisible for most of the game, which in this part of his career is a very positive thing.

But in no way, shape or form does Girardi’s goal justify Alain Vigneault’s decision to put him back in the lineup over Adam Clendening, and even Dylan McIlrath.

On a quick, transition based system, Girardi’s old and wounded legs aren’t going to cut it, especially in this new age NHL where every team is fast. Girardi had among the worst corsi stats in the entire league last season.

Clendening brings much-needed elements to the New York Rangers’ lineup.

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While I did think Girardi would be slightly better this year–and he has been, by the way–a guy like Clendening fits the system to a tee and was playing so well. He brings the offense and speed the Rangers otherwise lack without him in the lineup.

Clendening, coincidentally, has the best CF% (Corsi For Percentage) in the NHL so far this season among defenseman who have played 4 games. When you open that category up to both defenseman and forwards, only Buffalo’s Matt Moulson tops Clendening’s 66.4% mark, which is unheard of for a defenseman.

Like I said earlier, 5 games is an extremely small sample size. But when you take into account that Girardi was last in the NHL in corsi for last season among players who played 30 games or more than I think it is obvious who gives you the best chance to win.

The bottom line is this; in a system that is a more gritty, east-west style of play, than Girardi may be your guy instead of Clendening or McIlrath who, for his size can move around pretty well. But in a north-south speed and puck possession predicated system, you need guys like Clendening in your lineup and guys like Girardi in the pressbox.