NHL Playoffs 2012: Ryan McDonagh's Excellent Play Shouldn't Surprise Anyone

When you watch New York Rangers' defenseman Ryan McDonagh play, you'd think he possesses the experience of a grizzled, battle-hardened veteran, the shutdown skills of a premiere NHL defenseman and the ceiling to do great things.

McDonagh is in just his second season and first full season in the NHL.

Originally drafted by the Montreal Canadiens in the first round (12th overall) in the 2007 NHL Draft, McDonagh has made a name for himself in just over 120 NHL career games as one of the up-and-coming defensemen in the league. Since his NHL debut on January 7, 2011 in a game against the Dallas Stars, the 22-year-old native of St. Paul, Minnesota has played at an elite level.

After impressing on the second-defense pairing in his rookie campaign, McDonagh was tabbed by coach Tortorella at the beginning of this season to replace Marc Staal—who began the season on the shelf with post-concussion symptoms—on the top pairing with Dan Girardi. Since the first day of the season, McDonagh never looked back and solidified himself as arguably the best defenseman the Rangers have.

In 82 games, McDonagh finished 15th in the NHL in ice time (24:44) and fifth in plus/minus (plus-25) all while routinely playing against the opposition's elite talent. When New York played against Washington and Ottawa to start the playoffs, it was Ryan McDonagh and his partner Dan Girardi paired against their top lines for every single shift.

It was also McDonagh who played nearly 60 minutes of hockey during the triple-OT game against the Capitals in the last round. 

But it's not just the numbers that impress, it's McDonagh's overall game. He's one of the best, fluid skaters on the team. There's no wasted effort and he can get to top speed rather quick. His stick work will counteract any bad positioning McDonagh finds himself in, he will go down to block shots if needed and has tremendous hockey sense. 

You think the Montreal Canadiens would like a do over?

McDonagh also chipped in 32 points during the regular season—ninth overall on the Rangers team. It's an untapped area that fans of the team saw in flashes during the season, but if coached right, could develop into one of the NHL's best two-way defensemen.

Coach Tortorella has complete faith in a 22-year-old defenseman to shut down the sport's best players. But, McDonagh has been doing it ever since his first NHL game.

Take Game 1 last night between New York and the New Jersey Devils. McDonagh was able to make two key plays—including tracking down Ilya Kovalchuk on a breakway, cutting down his angle and forcing him into a back hand shot rather than a prime scoring chance—to help his team preserve the eventual shutout.

It's plays like the aforementioned that McDonagh has been making in his short NHL career and will continue to do for the next decade on Broadway.

None of what Ryan McDonagh can do should surprise anyone—he's just that good.