Postgame Notes: Rangers vs. Golden Knights 12.16.18

Team Notes

• FIRST IN SCORE -The Rangers tallied the first goal of the game for the fifth consecutive game, the 10th time in the last 14 games, and the 19th time in 32 contests this season.
• SHOOTING GALLERY -The Blueshirts recorded 30 shots on goal in today's contest, including 13 shots on goal in the third period, as 15*of 18 skaters recorded at least one shot on goal in the game. The Rangers have registered at least 30 shots on goal in each of the last two games, in five of the last 10 games, and in 14 different contests this season.
• HOT AT THE DOT -The Rangers won 36 of 72 faceoffs in today's contest (50.0%). New York has posted a faceoff win percentage of 50.0% or better in four of the last five games and in six of the last nine contests.
• HITTING MACHINE -The Rangers were credited with 37 hits in today's game. The Blueshirts have registered at least 20 hits in 28 of 32 games this season (including each of the last 17 games). New York has also recorded 30 or more hits in four of the last nine games and in seven different contests in 2018-19.
• BLOCK PARTY -New York tied a single-game season-high with 24*blocked shots in today's game. The Rangers have registered 15 or more blocked shots in 21 of 32 games this season. In addition, the Blueshirts have been credited with at least 20 blocked shots in each of the last two games and in six different contests in 2018-19.

Blueshirt Breakdown

• Henrik Lundqvistmade 37 saves in today's game. He was selected as the game's Second Star in today's contest, and he has been selected as one of the game's Three Stars in 12 of his 25 appearances this season. Lundqvist has made at least 30 saves in 16 of his 25 appearances this season, and he has posted a .900 SV% or better in 19 of those 25 appearances. As of the conclusion of today's game, he is tied for first among NHL goaltenders in games with a .900 SV% or better this season.
• Kevin Hayestied single-game career-highs with three assists and three points, registered his 200th career NHL point, won 10 of 20 faceoffs (50.0%), and posted a plus-one rating in 20:51 of ice time. Hayes registered a three-point game for the eighth time in his NHL career, as well as a three-assist game for the fifth time in his NHL career. He posted a multi-point game for the fourth consecutive contest (three goals, six assists in the four games). In addition, Hayes has registered 12 points (three goals, nine assists) in the last nine games, 21 points (five goals, 16 assists) in the last 18 contests, and 23 points (six goals, 17 assists) in the last 21 games. Of Hayes' 200 career NHL points, 157 of them have either been a goal or the primary assist on a goal (78.5% of his career points have either been a goal or the primary assist on a goal). Hayes leads the Rangers in assists (18), even strength assists (14), and even strength points (19) this season.
• Chris Kreiderrecorded a goal, established a single-game career-high (and led all skaters) with eight hits, and tied for the game-high (and led the Rangers) with five shots on goal. He registered his team-leading 15th goal of the season, and he has recorded nine of his 15 goals in 2018-19 in the third period. Kreider has tallied 12 points (eight goals, four assists) in the last 16 games, and he has registered a point in eight of the 16 contests.
• Mika Zibanejadtallied a power play goal, led all skaters with 13 faceoff wins (13-for-22; 59.1%), and recorded three shots on goal in 21:03 of ice time. Zibanejad has recorded a goal/point in three of the last four games (three goals). In addition, he has tallied a point in five of the last six games (three goals, four assists) and has registered 27 points (11 goals, 16 assists) in the last 28 games. He leads the Rangers in points this season (28; 11 goals, 17 assists).
• Brady Skjeiregistered the first goal of the game, led all skaters with four blocked shots, was credited with six hits, and recorded three shots on goal in 20:43 of ice time. He leads Rangers defensemen in even strength goals (three) and even strength points (nine) this season.
• Mats Zuccarellonotched a power play assist and tied for the game-high with two takeaways in 20:42 of ice time. He has tallied a power play assist/point in each of the two games he has played since returning from injury (two assists). Zuccarello recorded his 222nd career assist as a Ranger in today's contest, and he is now three assists away from tying Anders Hedberg for the most assists by a Ranger who was born and trained outside of North America in franchise history.
• Pavel Buchnevichrecorded an assist and posted a plus-two rating. He has registered a point in 10 of the 16 games he has played this season (six goals, five assists), and 10 of his 11 points in 2018-19 have either been a goal or the primary assist on a goal.
• Tony DeAngeloregistered four shots on goal while skating in a game-high 24:35 of ice time. DeAngelo's 24:35 of ice time was the second-most he has logged in one game in his NHL career (25:53; Mar. 10, 2018).
• Boo Nieveswas credited with three blocked shots while skating in his first NHL game of the 2018-19 season today.
• Adam McQuaidwas credited with four hits, tied for the game-high with two takeaways, registered three blocked shots, and posted a plus-two rating. McQuaid skated in his first game since Oct. 25 at Chicago.