A lack of offense was at the root of the Rangers’ issues this season, but defensively, first-year head coach Mike Sullivan implemented a puck pursuit-heavy system designed to support one another as a five-man unit.

Compared to last season, in which they were consistently burned on defensive breakdowns and odd-man rushes against, the Blueshirts showed flashes of the stingy defense Sullivan has in mind. 

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When Igor Shesterkin was asked about the defensive improvements in front of him, however, the star Rangers goalie pointed to one player. 

“We got Gavi,” he said with a smirk, referring to 2025 offseason free agent signing Vladislav Gavrikov.