Peter Laviolette Gives Credit To Newly Acquired Defensemen For Season Turnaround

The additions of Urho Vaakanainen and Will Borgen have been crucial in the New York Rangers’ most recent success.

Through January, the Rangers have completely shifted gears. The season seemed lost, but now, the Blueshirts are right back in the playoff hunt.

What exactly sparked this resurgence?

Peter Laviolette credits Vaakanainen and Borgen for solidifying the team’s defense and really turning the whole season around.

The Rangers traded for Vaakanainen and Borgen a few weeks apart from each other and it was shortly after the two defensemen arrived when New York started to find their footing in the Eastern Conference.

What exactly makes them so impactful though?

“I think they are good two-way defensemen, but I think they think about the game defensively and how they can defend,” Laviolette said. “They are big, they are strong, they are physical, they close quickly. I think they have good sticks.

"They are competitive with the defensive aspect to the game. From a defensive standpoint, we can put out there that close out quick, can defend, have sticks and that’s really their MO. I think that has helped our team.”

The Rangers acquired Vaakanainen from the Anaheim Ducks in the Jacob Trouba trade while acquiring Borgen from the Seattle Kraken in the Kaapo Kakko trade.

Vaakanainen and Borgen are playing over 15 minutes per game as Laviolette has put trust in them to serve substantial roles.

It’s important to note that New York’s defensive game has ascended since these players acclimated into the lineup.

There is hope for the Rangers again, something Vaakanainen and Borgen have a big part to do with.