NHL Playoffs: Girardi-McDonagh Is A Bedeviling Duo for Rangers

Hope and Crosby. Starsky and Hutch. Spongebob and Patrick. Beer and fried chicken. Partnerships work well when a mutual chemistry is discovered. That’s what Dan Girardi and Ryan McDonagh have found: they’ve been traveling along since the start of the regular season, side by side.

This defense pairing came about because of injuries to Marc Staal and Michael Sauer, but New York Rangers head coach John Tortorella looks like a genius for putting these two together — even though the brash bench boss despises being labeled as such.

The duo certainly worked great in tandem on the blueline during Game 1 of the Eastern Conference final, blocking a total of eight shots (five for Girardi, three for McDonagh), dishing out five hits (Girardi three, McDonagh two) and each was a plus-two.

For good measure, Girardi contributed the game-winning goal and an assist in the 3-0 whitewash of the rival New Jersey Devils as the Rangers seized the early advantage in the matchup. Meanwhile, McDonagh’s skating speed and stellar defensive skills foiled both Zach Parise and Ilya Kovalchuk on breakaway opportunities.

The pair really shined when they had previously shut down Ottawa Senators center Jason Spezza in the opening round, then they did the same thing to Washington Capitals captain Alex Ovechkin. Looks like they’re going for a three-peat against the Devils’ offensive talents, too.

Shot-blocking is one of the reasons they and the Rangers have done so well in the playoffs. Their 293 blocks is an average of 19.5 per game; Girardi (52) and McDonagh (42) account for one-third.

Of course, it wouldn’t be fair to neglect the efforts of the other prominent Broadway Blueshirts blueliners in this post-season. Michael Del Zotto has logged two goals and nine points along with 51 hits; Staal has kicked in five points, 31 hits and 31 blocks; Anton Stralman has also made his presence known with five points, 17 hits and 22 blocks.

So it remains a team effort, not a two-man show, regardless of how well one particular partnership is doing. But what if the sky should fall on Wednesday night? It’s possible: in the three series the Rangers have played this post-season, they haven’t won a single Game 2. The Devils also have their strengths: they are effective at penalty-killing, with their own fine defenders and offensive spark.

As long as they’re together, though, Girardi and McDonagh have made it clear they can continue to make meaningful contributions to the Rangers — side by side.