Marc Staal and Nick Holden were first put together on the very first game of the season. For most of the season (41 games), they have shouldered 2nd pairing responsibilities of the New York Rangers together.
In the past few weeks, Dan Girardi and Kevin Klein have been out of the lineup due to injury. In addition, the Rangers added former Red Wing Brenden Smith into the fold at the trade deadline. Also, the Rangers called up Steven Kampfer from the Hartford Wolf Pack when Klein went down.
As a result, Alain Vigneault has juggled his defensive pairing the last few games.