Postgame Notes: Rangers at Panthers 12.08.18
© Eliot J. Schechter
- CLOSE CALL -Thus far this season, 14 of the Rangers' 29 games have been decided by one goal. The Blueshirts have posted an 8-3-3 record in games decided by one goal in 2018-19.
- WORKING OVERTIME - Each of the Rangers' last two games and nine of their 29 games this season have been decided in overtime. The Blueshirts have posted a 6-3 record in games decided after regulation this season.
- SHOOTOUT SUCCESS - Each of the Rangers' last two games and six of their 29 contests this season have been decided in a shootout. The Rangers scored on all three of their shootout attempts in tonight's game, marking the fourth time in franchise history that the Blueshirts have taken three shootout attempts in a game and have scored on all of them. The last time the Rangers accomplished this feat was on Mar. 17, 2009 at Montreal. The Rangers have posted a 5-1 record in games decided in a shootout this season and lead the NHL in shootout wins in 2018-19.
- FIRST IN SCORE -The Rangers tallied the first goal of the game for the 11th time in the last 17 games, the 12th time in the last 19 games, and the 16th time in 29 contests this season.
- HITTING MACHINE -The Rangers were credited with 26 hits in tonight's game. The Blueshirts have registered at least 20 hits in 25 of 29 games this season (including each of the last 14 games), as well as 25 or more hits in 16 of 29 games in 2018-19.
- HOT AT THE DOT -The Blueshirts won 31 of 60 faceoffs in tonight's game (51.7%). The Rangers have posted a faceoff win percentage of 50.0% or better in four of the last six games and in five of the last nine contests.
- BLOCK PARTY -The Rangers were credited with 16 blocked shots in tonight's contest. New York has registered 15 or more blocked shots in 19 of 29 games this season.
- PANTHER PARTY -New York swept Florida in the three-game season series between the two teams in 2018-19. The Rangers swept the season series against the Panthers for the third time in the last six seasons (dating back to 2013-14), and the Blueshirts have earned at least one point in 16 of 18 games against Florida since the start of the 2013-14 season (13-2-3 record).
Three Stars on Broadway
- Kevin Shattenkirktallied the game-deciding goal in the shootout, led all skaters with four blocked shots, and posted a plus-one rating. He was selected as the game's Second Star. Shattenkirk leads the NHL in game-deciding goals (three) and is tied for the NHL lead in shootout goals (four) this season.
- Fredrik Claessontied a single-game career-high with two points (one goal, one assist) and tied a single-game career-high with a plus-three rating. Claesson was selected as the game's Third Star. He posted a multi-point game for the third time in his NHL career. In addition, Claesson's assist in tonight's game, which was a shorthanded assist, was his first assist as a Ranger.
- Kevin Hayestallied two assists, including a shorthanded assist, recorded a goal in the shootout, and won six of nine faceoffs (66.7%) in 20:42 of ice time. Hayes has tallied five assists/points in the last six games, as well as 14 points (two goals, 12 assists) in the last 15 games and 16 points (three goals, 13 assists) in the last 18 contests. He ranks second on the Rangers in assists (14) and ranks third on the team in points (19) this season. In addition, Hayes extended his point streak against the Panthers to four games (two goals, three assists). Hayes recorded 193 points in his NHL career, and 152 of his 193 career NHL points have either been a goal or the primary assist on a goal. He posted his fourth multi-assist/point game of the season in tonight's contest. The Rangers have posted a 10-3-1 record in games which Hayes has tallied a point this season, as well as a 102-31-17 record in games which he has notched a point in his career.
Blueshirt Breakdown
- Henrik Lundqvistearned his 10th win of the 2018-19 season and the 441st win of his NHL career. By earning a win in tonight's game, Lundqvist is now four wins away from tying Hall of Famer Terry Sawchuk for sixth place on the NHL's all-time wins list (445). He has now earned 10 or more wins in 14 different seasons (all of his 14 seasons in the NHL/with the Rangers), breaking a tie with Mike Richter for the most seasons with at least 10 wins by a Rangers goaltender in franchise history. Lundqvist is also one of two goaltenders in NHL history who have earned 10 or more wins in each of their first 14 NHL seasons (along with Chris Osgood). He earned his 189th career NHL roadwin in tonight's contest, and he is one win away from tying Curtis Joseph for the fifth-most road wins by a goaltender in NHL history. Lundqvist earned his 14th career win at BB&T Center, which is the fourth-most wins he has registered at a venue in his NHL career (Madison Square Garden - 251; Nassau Coliseum - 15; Wells Fargo Center - 15).*He earned his 61st career NHL win in a shootout, which is the most by any goaltender in league history.
- Mika Zibanejadregistered the first goal of the game and tallied a goal in the shootout. Zibanejad extended his point streak to three games (one goal, four assists). He has notched a point in 11 of the last 16 games (four goals, 12 assists over the span), and he has tallied 25 points (nine goals, 16 assists) in the last 25 games. In addition, Zibanejad registered six points (three goals, three assists) in the Rangers' three games against the Panthers in 2018-19. Zibanejad leads the Rangers in points this season (26; nine goals, 17 assists). Zibanejad leads the NHL in shootout shots (six) and is tied with Kevin Shattenkirk for the NHL lead in shootout goals (four) this season.
- Vladislav Namestnikovrecorded a shorthanded goal and tied for the team-high with three shots on goal. Namestnikov's shorthanded goal was the first of his NHL career, and he is tied for the team lead in shorthanded points this season (two). He has registered nine points (three goals, six assists) in his last 16 games, and he has tallied a point in eight of the 16 contests. Namestnikov's team has posted an 83-22-3 record in the 108 games which he has tallied a point in his NHL career.
- Matt Beleskeytallied a goal, which was his first goal/point as a Ranger, recorded two shots on goal, and posted a plus-one rating.
- Jimmy Veseynotched an assist, tied for the team-high with three shots on goal, and posted a plus-two rating. He has tallied three points (one goal, two assists) in the last three games. In addition, Vesey has recorded 12 points (six goals, six assists) in the last 17 games. The Rangers have posted a 37-13-6 record in the games which Vesey has registered a point in his career.
- Brady Skjeirecorded an assist in tonight's contest. Skjei is tied for second among Rangers defensemen in assists (seven) and points (nine) this season. In addition, he leads Rangers defensemen in even strength points in 2018-19 (eight).
- Tony DeAngelo*tallied an assist and tied for the team-high with three shots on goal. DeAngelo is tied for second among Rangers defensemen in assists (seven) and points (nine) this season. In addition, he ranks second among Rangers defensemen in points per game in 2018-19 (0.47; nine points in 19 games this season). The Rangers have posted a 12-5-2 record in the 19 games DeAngelo has played this season.