Postgame Notes: Rangers vs. Lightning 02.02.19

Team Notes

• SHOOTING GALLERY -The Rangers registered 33*shots on goal in tonight's contest, including 16 shots on goal in the third period, and 14 of 18 skaters recorded at least one shot on goal in the game. New York has recorded 30 or more shots on goal in two of the last three games and in three of the last five contests.
• SHUTTING THE DOOR -The Blueshirts only allowed 23 shots on goal in tonight's game, including four shots on goal in the third period. New York has held its opponent to fewer than 30 shots on goal in each of the last five games.
• HITTING MACHINE -The Blueshirts were credited with 23 hits in tonight's game. The Rangers have registered at least 20 hits in 43 of 51 games this season, including 32 of the last 36 games.
• LIGHTNING STRIKE -*Tonight's game was the 100th all-time regular season meeting between the Rangers and Lightning (the two teams faced each other for the first time on Nov. 9, 1992 at MSG).

Blueshirt Breakdown

• Mika Zibanejadrecorded two assists, both of which were primary assists, led all skaters with 12 faceoff wins (12-for-21; 57.1%), recorded two shots on goal, drew a penalty, and posted a plus-one rating in 25:24 of ice time. He was selected as the game's Second Star.*Zibanejad has posted a multi-point game in each of the last two games (three goals, three assists in the two contests) and in three of the last four games (five goals, three assists in the four contests). In addition, he has tallied a point in seven of the last eight games and has registered 15 points (eight goals, seven assists) in those eight games. Zibanejad registered his team-leading 30th assist and 50th point of the season in tonight's contest; he has tied his career-high in assists and is one point away from tying his career-high. Zibanejad also recorded his 11th power play assist of the season, establishing a new career-high. He has logged at least 20:00 of ice time in each of the last five games and in eight of the last nine contests. His 25:24 of ice time was 26 seconds shy of tying his single-game career-high.
• Mats Zuccarellotallied a goal, recorded five shots on goal, tied for the game-high with two takeaways, and logged a single-game career-high 25:58 of ice time while skating in his 500th career NHL game (and his 500th game as a Ranger) in tonight's contest. He is the 36th skater (and 40th player) in franchise history who has appeared in 500 career games with the Rangers, and by playing in tonight's game, he tied Hall of Famer Edgar Laprade for 35th place on the franchise's all-time games played list (among skaters). In addition, Zuccarello is the first Norwegian-born player who has skated in 500 career games in NHL history. He has registered a point in each of the last seven games which he has played, and he has tallied 13 points (five goals, eight assists) over the span. Zuccarello recorded his 343rd career point as a Ranger in tonight's game, passing Bob Nevin for sole possession of 28th place on the franchise's all-time points list. Zuccarello has logged at least 20:00 of ice time in each of his last four games and in seven of his last eight games. He became the first Rangers forward to log at least 25:00 of ice time in a game which ended in regulationsince Derek Stepan on Feb. 26, 2013 (26:12).
• Kevin Hayesregistered a power play goal and registered three shots on goal in 22:36 of ice time. He has recorded a point in each of the last two games (one goal, two assists). In addition, Hayes has registered 19 points (six goals, 13 assists) in his last 14 games, as well as 31 points (eight goals, 23 assists) in his last 28 contests.
• Chris Kreidertallied an assist,*led the Rangers with four hits, recorded two shots on goal, and posted a plus-one rating while skating in a single-game career-high 23:18 of ice time He has recorded seven points (three goals, four assists) in the last seven games and 17 points (nine goals, eight assists) in the last 20 contests. Kreider has logged at least 21:00 of ice time in each of the last three games.
• Henrik Lundqvistmade 20 saves and tallied an assist in tonight's contest. Lundqvist made his 842nd career appearance as a Ranger in tonight's contest, passing Vic Hadfield for the seventh-most appearances by a player with the Blueshirts (skaters and goaltenders included) in franchise history. He registered his 26th career assist/point in tonight's contest, passing John Vanbiesbrouck for the most assists and most points by a goaltender in franchise history.
• Marc Staalskated in his 812th career game as a Ranger in tonight's contest, passing Jim Neilson for sole possession of eighth place on the Rangers' all-time games played list (among skaters). He also passed Neilson for the fourth-most games played by a defenseman in franchise history. The only defensemen who have played more games with the Rangers than Staal has are Harry Howell (1,160), Brian Leetch (1,129), and Ron Greschner (981).
• Filip Chytilskated in his 50th game of the 2018-19 season tonight. Chytil is one of five teenagers in Rangers history who have skated in at least 50 games in a season (Mike Allison - 1980-81; Troy Mallette - 1989-90; Manny Malhotra - 1998-99; Michael Del Zotto - 2009-10).
• Neal Pionkled all skaters and tied a single-game career-high with six shots on goal.
• Pavel Buchnevichlogged a single-game career-high 21:10 of ice time in tonight's contest.
• Kevin Shattenkirktied for the game-high with three blocked shots, registered three shots on goal, and was credited with three hits in 23:36 of ice time.