RANGERS RUNDOWN
- The New York Rangers play the first game of a back-to-back on their three-game road swing when they visit the Buffalo Sabres (5:00 PM ET - TV: MSGSN - Radio: ESPN 1050 AM).
- Buffalo is the only team the Blueshirts have yet to play this season. New York is currently riding a 10-game point streak against the Sabres (9-0-1) and are 12-2-1 in its last 15 contests against them.
- On the road, New York has points in 12 of their last 15 contests (8-3-4). The Rangers' .672 points percentage on the road ranks sixth in the NHL and their 43 road points are tied for the fifth most in the league.
- Since December 5, New York is 25-9-4 for 54 points. In the NHL in that span, the Rangers rank tied for third in wins and points, and third in points percentage (.711).
- The Blueshirts' 18 comeback wins and eight third-period comeback wins are tied for the fourth most in the NH. Their eight third-period comeback wins are tied for the second most in franchise history (11 - 2010-11).
- When scoring first this year, the Blueshirts are 24-5-4 and 18-3-3 when leading after the second period. When tied after two periods, the Rangers have 12 wins, tied for the most in the NHL with Tampa Bay.
- New York's 79 third period goals are tied for the sixth most in the NHL. Mika Zibanejad leads all Rangers with 14 third period goals.
- The Rangers defensemen group has collected 153 points, tied for the fifth most in the NHL.
Pregame Notes: Rangers at Sabres - 03.11.23
RANGERS AND SABRES CONNECTIONS
PANARIN'S POINTS
Artemi Panarin notched his 70th point of the season (19G-53A) on Thursday night, becoming the eighth undrafted player (since 1963-64) to record seven or more 70-point seasons and the first since Martin St. Louis (8x, last: 2011-12). He joined Wayne Gretzky and Peter Stastny as the third undrafted player to debut since 1963-64 or later to record as many 70-point seasons in their first eight campaigns.
Panarin points in four of his last five games (1G-6A), including two multi-point efforts. Since 2019-20,
Panarin's 93 multi-point games are the fifth most in the NHL.
MIKA MARCH
Mika Zibanejad has thrived in the month of March over his career, totaling 116 points (57G-59A) in 144 games played.
Zibanejad has 17 points in last 15 games (10G-7A). Zibanejad has a team-high tying 18 multi-point games, with four in his last 11 contests.
With 32 goals this season, it marks his third 30-goal season with the Rangers/in his career (2022-23, 2019-20, 2018-19). Zibanejad is one of 11 players in franchise history to notch the benchmark three or more times.
Zibanejad's eight multi-goal games are tied for the fifth most in the NHL.
Among NHL forwards, Zibanejad is one of five that has a plus-18 rating or better and 60-plus points this year (Pastrnak, Robertson, MacKinnon, Matthews).
Zibanejad has tallied 19 of his goals on the power play, a new career-high for him and the second most in the NHL. With one more power play goal, the Rangers will become the first team since the 1992-93 & 1993-94 Boston Bruins to have a different player score 20+ power-play goals in back-to-back seasons as Kreider had 20+ last year.
ADAM'S APPLES
Adam Fox has seven assists in his last 10 games. This season, he has 10 goals and 48 assists for 58 points and among NHL defensemen, Fox ranks fifth in assists and sixth in points.
Fox is the sixth defenseman in Rangers history to record consecutive 50-point seasons, joining Brian Leetch (1995-96- 1998-99, 1988-89 - 1991-92 & 2000-01 - 2001-02), James Patrick (1989-90 - 1991-92 & 1986-87 - 1987-88), Reijo Ruotsalainen (1981-82 - 1985-86), Ron Greschner (1978-79 - 1980-81) and Brad Park (1971-72 - 1974-75).
It his third straight season with 40-plus assists as he became the fourth defenseman in Rangers history to achieve the feat, joining Brian Leetch (4x), Brad Park (4x) and James Patrick (3x).
When he records multiple points, the Rangers are 13-0-0.
KREIDING TO MAKE HISTORY
Chris Kreider has 27 goals on the season and six on the power play. He has points in 11 of his last 16 games (8G-6A), including six goals in his last 11 games.
Kreider continues to climb the Rangers all-time leader board in goals.
BLUESHIRT BULLETS
- Alexis Lafreniere has three goals in his last two games and four in his last five contests. Lafreniere's 32 points (14G-18A) are a career-high.
- Jacob Trouba ranks third in the NHL with 161 blocked shots and has a point streak of three games (2G-2A).
- Jaroslav Halak has points (7-2-1) in eight of his last 10 starts. Halak is 13-4-0 all-time against the Sabres with 2.08 GAA and .923 save percentage.
- Vladimir Tarasenko has five points in his last four games (2G-3A) and points in seven of his first 13 games (4G-5A) with the Rangers.
- Vincent Trocheck has points in three of his last five games (2G-3A). His 30 assists this season matches his season total from last year in Carolina. He has points in 10 of his last 14 games (5G-10A) and has 18 points (6G-12A) in his last 18 contests.
- Among NHL players with 15 minutes or less per game, Filip Chytil has the second most goals and points (19G-18A). With one more goal, Chytil can become the seventh Rangers player in the past 20 years to record a 20-goal season at age 23 or younger, joining Pavel Buchnevich (21 in 2018-19), J.T. Miller (22 in 2015-16), Chris Kreider (21 in 2014-15), Derek Stepan (21 in 2010-11), Brandon Dubinsky (20 in 2009-10) and Petr Prucha (30 in 2005-06).
- Kaapo Kakko has 12 points (3G-9A) in his last 18 games.
- The Rangers own a 62-13-4 record when Mika Zibanejad, Artemi Panarin, and Chris Kreider all three record a point.
SPECIAL TEAMS
- The Rangers have scored a power play goal in five of their last six games (6G) and seven of their last 10 contests (9G).
- New York's 25.0 power play percentage on the road ranks third in the league and their 23 road power play goals are tied for the fifth most.
