Get To Know a Ranger: Marc Staal

by J.P. on Apr 13, 2009 10:00 PM EDT

[Ed. note: As part of the build-up to the first round playoff series between the Capitals and the Rangers, Japers' Rink will be looking at some of the important but lesser-known players on the Rangers and how they might impact the series.]

Marc Staal

#18 / Defenseman / New York Rangers

Height: 6-4

Weight: 209

Born: Jan 13, 1987

Birthplace:Thunder Bay, ONT, CA

Draft:12th overall in 2005

Acquired:Via Draft

Strengths	Has a very active stick and long reach, which make him very effective in the defensive zone. Skates well and is extremely cerebral.
Weaknesses	Could stand to utilize his 6-4 frame more often so as to keep opposing forwards honest. Needs to make better decisions on offense.
Potential	Shutdown defenseman.

Regular Season	GP	G	A	P	+/-	PIM	PPG	SHG	GWG	GTG	SOG	PCT
2007-08	80	2	8	10	2	42	0	0	0	0	78	2.6
2008-09	82	3	12	15	-7	64	0	0	1	0	96	3.1

Playoffs	GP	G	A	P	+/-	PIM	PPG	SHG	GWG	GTG	SOG	PCT
2007-08	10	1	2	3	4	8	0	0	1	0	11	9.1

Why you should know who he is - In just his second year in the League, Staal has emerged as a solid defensive defenseman and plays the tough minutes against the top competition for the Rangers. In the four regular season games against the Caps, he was on the ice against Alex Ovechkin more at even strength than any other Blueshirt blueliner and the match-up between the two will be one to watch all series long.

How the Caps can stop him - ~~Beat him like a drum~~ Ovechkin had five points in four games against the Rangers this season, three of which came at even strength, so how well Staal can contain AO remains to be seen. It's also worth noting that while the Rangers closed the season with an 8-5-1 mark, Staal was minus-5 over that stretch, perhaps an indication that the big minutes are wearing him down. If the Caps can bang him a bit on the forecheck, they can force him into making some mistakes.

Tweet Comment 14 comments | 1 recs |

Do you like this story?

Comments

If the Caps can bang him a bit on the forecheck

Giggity.

by Ovechwin on Apr 13, 2009 10:07 PM EDT reply actions

/queue http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xsdfMi7YZ2o

rofl, it never gets old.

by usiel on Apr 13, 2009 10:09 PM EDT reply actions

SBN seriously needs to do something about these headshot photos.

by David Getz on Apr 13, 2009 10:32 PM EDT reply actions

I’m curious what the Caps headshots look like now. Any way to view them?

by Yoshietree on Apr 13, 2009 10:44 PM EDT up reply actions

Just go to roster and click a guys name and it will come up.

Eric Fehr is grimacing in his photo, he must have just scored a goal or something.

by Ovechwin on Apr 13, 2009 10:47 PM EDT up reply actions

by Natty Bumppo on Apr 14, 2009 12:35 AM EDT up reply actions

I don’t know if Marc Staal is techincally a “lesser known” consider his family and his status on the Rangers, but hey, it’s a great write up anyway. He’s a terrific drum set i mean defenseman.

Capitals Kremlin the second line center of the Caps blogosphere.

by CapitalsKremlin on Apr 13, 2009 10:37 PM EDT reply actions

I think our definition of “lesser known” is fairly loose and basically “not Avery, Lundqvist, Drury, Redden or Gomez.” Surely he’s lesser known than those five.

Japers' Rink: Hockey blogging from the most powerful city in the world

by J.P. on Apr 14, 2009 6:46 AM EDT up reply actions

http://rangers.lohudblogs.com/2009/04/13/staal-vs-ovechkin/

Interesting (at least to me read)….

by Yoshietree on Apr 13, 2009 10:48 PM EDT reply actions

Really? This is the best picture they could find?

by Ovechwin on Apr 13, 2009 10:48 PM EDT reply actions

You think with OV being the caliber player that he is they could atleast post a recent one of him…

by Yoshietree on Apr 13, 2009 10:50 PM EDT up reply actions

I think whoever put these up decided to find the worst pictures.

by Ovechwin on Apr 13, 2009 11:12 PM EDT up reply actions

Wait, another young defenseman who doesn’t know how to use his size? Trade him!

"Thank God there is a sport for middle-sized white boys.."

by Bald Pollack on Apr 14, 2009 5:58 AM EDT reply actions

A very raw talent, much like his brother the first couple of years. When he hits his peak, this guy is going to be in the same class of stoppers as Chara, Phaneuf, Adam Foote, etc. I’m sure he’ll live up to his potential as the Staal brothers all work their asses off every night.

He just has to avoid Semin’s Fists o’ Fury….

Let's go Caps!

by MikeL-Pivonka on Apr 14, 2009 9:54 AM EDT reply actions