RANGERS RUNDOWN
- The New York Rangers begin a three-game homestand, when they complete their season-series with Minnesota on Tuesday at Madison Square Garden (7:00 PM ET - TV: MSG Network - Radio: ESPN 98.7 FM). The Blueshirts will play nine of their next 11 games at home.
- The Blueshirts have earned points in five-straight games (3-0-2) and are 4-1-2 in their last seven games. New York has points in 13 of its last 15 games (11-2-2). Since November 30, the Rangers rank fourth in the NHL in points (27).
- At home, New York has won five of its last six games dating back to December 5. In that span, the Rangers' .833 point percentage at home ranks third in the league while their 3.83 GF/GP ranks fifth.
- The Blueshirts reached the halfway point in the season with a 22-12-7 record for 51 points, tied for their 10th most points through the halfway point in franchise history. Since 2011-12, the Rangers have had 51 or more points through the halfway point on five occasions.
- The Rangers are 7-3-1 against Central Division teams this season and 11-5-3 against Western Conference foes.
- New York has scored four or more goals in three of their last four games and on the year is 15-0-0 when scoring four or more goals in a game. Only two other teams (VGK, ARI) are undefeated this season when scoring 4+ goals.
- New York ranks third in the NHL in third period goals (53) and fourth in third-period goal differential (+14).
- Heading into the third period tied, the Rangers are 9-1-5, tied for the most such wins in the NHL.
- The Rangers defensemen group has collected 102 points and 82 assists, both the second most in the NHL.
Pregame Notes: Rangers vs. Wild - 01.10.23
RANGERS AND WILD CONNECTIONS
MIKA'S MISSION
Mika Zibanejad has goals in three of his last five games (4G) and six points (4G-2A) in his last five games. With his next goal, Zibanejad would compile a 20-goal season for a sixth straight season, becoming the sixth Ranger to do so with the team.
Zibanejad has power play goals in two of his last four games and 12 on the season. His 12 power play tallies are tied for the fourth most in the NHL.
ADAM'S APPLES
Adam Fox has five assists/points in his last four games and has points in 11 of his last 17 games (1G-14A). Fox has points in 22 of his last 30 games (5G-26A). When he records multiple points, the Rangers are 8-0-0.
On Saturday, Fox became the third defenseman this season to reach the 40-point benchmark joining Erik Karlsson and Josh Morrissey.
Fox has skated over 20:00 minutes in every game this season, over 25 minutes in 19 contests and his season-high was 30:04 against the Devils on Nov. 28.
HEY NOW, SHESTY'S AN ALL-STAR
Igor Shesterkin is 18-6-6 on the season, his 18 wins are tied for the third most in the NHL. Shesterkin is 8-2-3 in his last 13 starts with a .921 save percentage and 2.30 GAA.
In earning his first All-Star Game selection, Shesterkin becomes the seventh goaltender in franchise history (Chuck Rayner, Gump Worsley, Ed Giacomin, Gilles Villemure, Mike Richter, Henrik Lundqvist) to be selected to participate in the All-Star Game. He is the 17th goaltender in NHL history to win a Vezina Trophy prior to being selected/playing in an All-Star Game.
KREIDING TO MAKE HISTORY
Chris Kreider has three goals in his last four games and a team-high tying 19 goals on the year. In the win over Carolina, Kreider surpassed Steve Vickers for the eighth most in Rangers history with 247.
Kreider has 36 career game-winning goals, tying him with Adam Graves for the seventh most in franchise history.
PANARIN PUTTING UP POINTS
Artemi Panarin has points in three of his last four contests (2G-2A) and has points in 12 of his last 17 games (5G-15A).
Panarin's 34 assists this season are tied for the sixth most in the NHL.
Against Minnesota, Panarin has a combined five points in his last two games (1G-4A).
BLUESHIRT BULLETS
- K'Andre Miller has a career-high tying 20 points this season (3G-17A) and has points in career-long tying three-straight games (1G-3A).Miller has points in nine of his last 15 games (3G-9A). In addition, Miller's 33 takeaways this year are the sixth most for a defensemen and among players who have 80 or more SH minutes, Miller ranks first in PP/GA per 60 with a 2.71 mark.
- Braden Schneider has five goals since November 22, tied for the third most among NHL defensemen in that span. He has had an even or better plus/minus in 22 of his last 23 games.
- Filip Chytil has goals in two of his last three games (3G) and seven in his last 14 games.
- Kaapo Kakko has 10 points (5G-5A) in his last 14 games. His 18 points (9G-9A) are tied for his point total from last season and he is one goal from tying his career-high of 10 set in his rookie season (2019-20).
- The Rangers own a 55-12-4 record when Mika Zibanejad, Artemi Panarin, and Chris Kreider all three record a point.
- Jacob Trouba has 127 hits and 101 blocked shots. He is the only player in the NHL with both 100+ hits and 80+ blocked shots. Trouba ranks second among defensemen in both hits and blocked shots.
- Jaroslav Halak has wins in his last three games and four of his last five appearances in net.
SPECIAL TEAMS
- The Blueshirts have scored six power play goals in their last four games.
- The Rangers have the fifth fewest PIM/G with a 7.9 mark.
- The Rangers have scored multiple power play goals in seven games this year and in two of their last four contests.
