Postgame Notes: Rangers vs. Blues 03.29.19

Team Notes

• HOT AT THE DOT -The Blueshirts won 24 of 44 faceoffs in tonight's contest (54.5%). New York has posted a faceoff win percentage of 50.0% or better in 10 of the last 17 games, in 11 of the last 19 games, and in 14 of the last 26 contests.
• HITTING MACHINE -The Rangers were credited with 25 hits in tonight's contest, and 15 of 18 skaters registered at least one hit in the contest. The Blueshirts have recorded 20 or more hits in 63 of 77 games this season.*The Rangers were also credited with their 2,000th hit of the 2018-19 season in tonight's contest. New York has recorded at least 2,000 hits for the first time since the 2015-16 season and for the second time in the last seven seasons (dating back to 2012-13).
• ON THE WESTERN FRONT -Tonight's game against St. Louis was the Rangers' final game against a Western Conference opponent in 2018-19. The Blueshirts earned at least one point in 16 of their 30 games against Western Conference teams this season.
• BLUE NOTE -*The Rangers swept the season series against the Blues in 2018-19. The Blueshirts have earned at least one point in eight of their last 10 games against St. Louis, dating back to the start of the 2014-15 season (6-2-2 record over the span).

Three Stars on Broadway

• Alexandar Georgievmade 44 saves and stopped all 36 shots he faced over the final two periods, including all 20 shots he faced in the second period, to earn his 12th win of the 2018-19 season. He was selected as the game's First Star. Georgiev made at least 40 saves in a game for the sixth time in his NHL career; Georgiev's six 40-save games are the second-most by a Rangers rookie goaltender in franchise history (Mike Richter - seven).* He made his 30th appearance of the season in tonight's contest, which is the second-most among NHL rookie goaltenders. Georgiev is the seventh Rangers goaltender since expansion (1967-68) who has appeared in at least 30 games in his rookie season (Gilles Villemure - 1970-71; Steve Weeks - 1981-82; John Vanbiesbrouck - 1984-85; Mike Richter - 1990-91; Dan Blackburn - 2001-02; Henrik Lundqvist - 2005-06). In addition, his 12 wins this season are tied for the fifth-most by a Rangers goaltender in his rookie season since expansion. Georgiev has made 30 or more saves in 23 of his 40 career NHL games, including 16 of his 30 games in 2018-19. He has also allowed two goals or fewer in 16 of his 30 appearances this season.
• Pavel Buchnevichregistered two points (one goal, one assist), recorded three shots on goal, and posted a plus-one rating in 19:29 of ice time. He was selected as the game's Second Star. Buchnevich extended his career-high point streak to six games (three goals, four assists over the span). He has tallied a point in seven of the last eight games (four goals, four assists), and he has registered 11 points (seven goals, four assists) in the last 13 games. Buchnevich recorded his 19th goal of the season in tonight's contest, adding to his career-high, and he ranks third on the Rangers in goals in 2018-19.
• Mika Zibanejad*notched an assist and led all skaters with 10 faceoff wins (10-for-16; 62.5%) in 21:37 of ice time. Zibanejad was selected as the game's Third Star. He recorded his team-leading 41st assist and 71st point of the season in tonight's contest, and he has established career-highs in both categories. Zibanejad extended his point streak to three games (two goals, two assists), and he has also registered eight points (three goals, five assists) in the last 10 games.

Blueshirt Breakdown

• Ryan Strometallied a goal and posted a plus-one rating. Strome has recorded 16 goals since he was acquired by the Rangers on Nov. 16, 2018; his 16 goals with the Rangers are the most any NHL player acquired during the 2018-19 season has registered with his new team. He has recorded a goal/point in four of the last five games (four goals, one assist over the span). Strome has also registered nine points (six goals, three assists) in the last 10 games and 14 points (nine goals, five assists) in the last 18 contests. In addition, he is one of only two players who have skated in all of the Rangers' 58 games since he was acquired (along with Mika Zibanejad). Strome has tallied 17 goals this season (16 with the Rangers and one with Edmonton), which is tied for his career-high (he also recorded 17 goals with the NY Islanders in 2014-15).
• Jimmy Veseytallied the game-winning goal in tonight's contest. Vesey recorded his 17th goal of the 2018-19 season, tying his career-high (he also registered 17 goals in 2017-18). He also tallied his 35th point of the season, adding to his career-high. Of Vesey's 35 points in 2018-19, 31 have either been a goal or the primary assist on a goal. Vesey ranks second on the Rangers in game-winning goals in 2018-19 (four).
• Chris Kreiderregistered a goal and posted a plus-one rating. He recorded his 27th goal of the season, which is one goal away from tying his career-high. Kreider also tallied his 50th point of the season, and he has recorded at least 50 points in a season for the second time in his NHL career. Kreider ranks second on the Rangers in goals and points in 2018-19.
• Brett Howdenrecorded an assist on the game-winning goal and posted a plus-one rating. Howden is celebrating his 21st birthday today. He has tallied an assist/point in each of the last two games (two assists), and he has registered five points (one goal, four assists) in the last 11 games.
• Vinni Lettierinotched an assist. He has tallied a point in two of the last three games (one goal, one assist).
• Neal Pionktallied an assist and posted a plus-two rating.
• Filip Chytilskated in his 73rd game of the 2018-19 season and in his 82nd career NHL game in tonight's contest. Chytil's 73 games played this season are tied for the second-most by a teenager in one season in franchise history (the only teenagers besides Chytil who have played in at least 73 games in a season with the Rangers are Michael Del Zotto (80 in 2009-10) and Manny Malhotra (73 in 1998-99)). In addition, Chytil's 82 career games played as a teenager are the second-most in Rangers history (Malhotra has the most with 100).