The numbers don't tell the whole story about Rangers' 18-year-old rookie Alberts Smits

GREENBURGH – Just looking at the numbers, one might think that the Rangers’ third defense pair of Braden Schneider and rookie Alberts Smits is having a bumpy start to the season.

According to Natural Stat Trick, the pair is underwater on nearly all of the typical metrics in the 52 minutes, 32 seconds they’ve been on the ice together. The Rangers are conceding more than they are producing in shots on goal (19 for, 32 against); shot attempts (41 for, 63 against); and scoring chances (22 for, 31 against) in those minutes, and their expected goals against (4.1) are much higher than their expected goals for (2.25).

When it comes to actual goals, though, the pair has been on ice for three for the Rangers, and only one against. And the high-danger scoring chances when they’re on are 14 for and 13 against. And they seem to be getting stronger as the season goes on. In their last game, Tuesday against the Islanders, the pair played 8 minutes, 37 seconds together, and during that time the shot attempts were 11 for and 13 against, while shots on goal were 5-4 in the Rangers favor, and goals were 1-0, Rangers.

And when Rangers coach Mike Sullivan was asked Thursday what he’s thought about the Smits-Schneider pair, he said he’s liked it.

“I think it's been pretty good,’’ Sullivan said after the Rangers returned to practice following a day off. “I think those guys have worked well together. You know, Schneider is such a great person. He's a good partner for Smitty to have. Coming back to the bench, having conversations on the bench in between periods, we think that that pair is only getting better.”

Sullivan has been asked a lot about Smits, the Rangers’ first round draft pick (fifth overall) this summer. He’s repeatedly said he and his coaching staff were well aware there would be some ups and downs for the 18-year-old as he broke into the NHL. Sullivan has maintained that the coaching staff has been impressed by Smits’ composure, confidence and decision-making, and that his size (6-3, 208) and experience playing in men’s pro leagues in Finland and Germany are advantages he has over other prospects his age.

Smits, who played in the Olympics and the World Championships for Latvia, has not looked out of place on the ice. He hasn’t scored a point yet, but he’s attempted eight shots (one made it on goal), is plus-2, and has shown no fear when it comes to throwing body checks or working the boards. He’s shown he’s willing to take a hit to make a play, and he hasn’t been shy about pinching in to try and keep an offensive play alive, trusting his instincts on when to be aggressive and when to make the safer play. As far as adjusting to the smaller ice surface in the NHL, he said that’s not been a problem.

“No, I just had to adapt, and I try to do my best to do that as fast as possible,’’ he said. “I'm feeling great now, even playing on a small ice and smaller areas. I think it's getting better, and now I feel comfortable to play on this kind of ice.”

Smits, who is averaging 14:50 in time on ice per game, credits Schneider, his defense partner since Day 1 of training camp, with helping him adjust to the game and to learn the league.

“He's helping me a lot,’’ Smits said, adding that much of Schneider’s teaching comes by example. “Even when do I make mistakes, I can rely on him, that he's gonna be there and try his best to help me out when I when something (goes wrong). So I'm really happy with my ‘D’ pair, and that I can rely on him.”

Schneider, who’s 25 and in his sixth season, said he has enjoyed taking a leadership role as far as helping Smits learn the NHL.

“He's been really impressive,’’ Schneider said of his young partner. “He skates so well, (and) I think each game you can see he's getting more and more confidence. He's making plays, and I think it's been really cool to be a part of him, and be a part of his journey here to start the NHL.

“And I think we are pretty happy with how our game has gone so far.”

Despite what the numbers may say.

By Colin Stephenson

colin.stephenson@newsday.comColinSNewsday

Colin Stephenson covers the Rangers for Newsday. He has spent more than two decades covering the NHL and just about every sports team in the New York metropolitan area.