Rangers at Devils 2.25:17: Postgame Notes
© Andy Marlin
- 40/40 CLUB - The Rangers earned their 40th win of the 2016-17 season in tonight's contest. The Blueshirts have registered at least 40 wins in each of the last four seasons (since 2013-14) and in six of the last seven seasons (since 2010-11; Note: the only season when the Blueshirts did not record at least 40 wins during this stretch was the 2012-13 season, which was 48 games in length). In addition, the Rangers have earned 40 or more wins in 10 of the last 12 seasons (since 2005-06). Entering 2016-17, the Rangers were one of five NHL teams that recorded at least 40 wins in nine or more seasons during an 11-season stretch from 2005-06 - 2015-16. The Blueshirts are the second team to reach the 40-win plateau in 2016-17.
- ROAD WARRIORS - New York leads the NHL in road wins this season (21) and also leads the NHL in road wins since the start of the 2013-14 season (93). The Blueshirts have won 10 of their last 12 road games (10-2-0). The Rangers have also earned a win in 20 of their last 26 road contests (20-6-0), including 14 of their last 17 road games (14-3-0). The Blueshirts' 21 road wins in 2016-17 are tied for the eighth-most the team has registered in one season in franchise history.
- WORKING OVERTIME - The Rangers played three consecutive games which were decided in either overtime or a shootout for the first time since Nov. 1, 2014 vs. Winnipeg - Nov. 5, 2014 vs. Detroit. The Blueshirts have posted a 7-2 record in games decided in overtime this season, including a 4-0 record in games decided in the five-minute overtime period in 2016-17.
- ON POINT- Rangers defensemen registered four points (one goal, three assists) in tonight's game and a Rangers defenseman notched a point on every goal the team recorded in the contest. Blueshirts defensemen have tallied 16 points (six goals, 10 assists) over the last seven contests. In addition, one Rangers defenseman has recorded a goal in five of the seven contests (Klein - Feb. 11 vs. Colorado; Girardi - Feb. 13 at Columbus; Holden - Feb. 16 at NY Islanders; McDonagh - Feb. 19 vs. Washington; Clendening - tonight at New Jersey).
- FOUR SCORE - New York has tallied four or more goals in 29 games this season. The Rangers are tied for second in the NHL in games with four or more goals in 2016-17.
- ONE AND WON - Since Jan. 7, 13 of the Rangers' 20 games have been decided by one goal. The Rangers have earned at least one point in each of the last 10 games they have played which were decided by one goal, dating back to Jan. 22 at Detroit (9-0-1 record). The Blueshirts have posted an 18-7-2 record in one-goal games this season, and as of the conclusion of tonight's game, are tied for the NHL lead in winning percentage in one-goal games in 2016-17 (.667).
- SHOOTING GALLERY- The Rangers recorded 40 shots on goal in tonight's game, including 17 shots on goal in the second period, and 16 of 18 skaters registered at least one shot on goal in the contest. The Blueshirts have registered at least 30 shots on goal in each of the last four games, in 10 of the last 13 contests, and in 15 of the last 20 games. In addition, the Rangers have recorded 40 or more shots on goal in four contests in 2016-17.
- FABULOUS FEBRUARY - The Rangers have posted a 29-6-4 record in 39 games in February since the start of the 2014-15 season, including a 9-1-1 record in games in February this season.
- THIRD PERIOD TALLIES - The Blueshirts registered a goal in the third period of tonight's game and lead the NHL in third period goals in 2016-17 (83). As of the conclusion of tonight's game, the Rangers' 83 goals in the third period are the most a team has registered in any period thus far this season.
- STAYING DISCIPLINED - The Blueshirts took two penalties in tonight's contest. The Rangers have been shorthanded three times or fewer in each of the last five games and in 16 of the last 18 contests.
- WINNING ON THE WEEKEND - New York has posted an 18-3-1 record in weekend games this season, including a 9-2-0 record in games played on a Saturday.
- RUNNING WITH THE DEVIL - The Rangers have earned at least one point in 15 of their last 19 games against the Devils, dating back to Mar. 19, 2013 (13-4-2 record). New York has also earned at least one point in 12 of its last 14 contests against New Jersey, dating back to Dec. 7, 2013 (10-2-2 record).
- HOT AT THE DOT - The Rangers won 27 of 50 faceoffs in tonight's contest (54.0%).
- TAKING THE METRO - Following tonight's game, nine of the Rangers' final 21 regular season contests in 2016-17 are against Metropolitan Division teams.
Three Stars on Broadway
- Mika Zibanejad tallied two points (one goal, one assist), including the game-winning goal in overtime, tied a single-game career-high with a plus-three rating, and recorded two shots on goal. His goal was his first career overtime goal in the NHL. Zibanejad also registered the game-deciding goal in the shootout in the Rangers' last game on Feb. 23 at Toronto. He has recorded an assist/point in six of the last 12 games (one goal, six assists), and he has registered 11 points (three goals, eight assists) in 15 road games this season.
- Chris Kreider registered two points (one goal, one assist) and posted a plus-two rating. He added to his career-high in goals (23), and he has registered 21 points (14 goals, seven assists) in the last 26 games. Kreider has tallied five points (three goals, two assists) in the three games against New Jersey in 2016-17, and he has registered a goal/point in all three games against the Devils thus far in the season series.
- Antti Raantamade 36 saves, and stopped all 16 shots he faced in the first period, to earn his 12th win of the season. Raanta is one win away from tying his career-high (13 with Chicago in 2013-14). In 17 starts this season, Raanta has posted a 12-3-0 record, along with a 2.17 GAA, a .928 SV%, and 2 SO. Raanta has now made 30 or more saves in 20 games in his NHL career; he has posted a 17-2-1 record, along with a 2.00 GAA, a. 945 SV%, and 2 SO in those games.
Blueshirt Breakdown
- Adam Clendening registered a goal, established a single-game career-high with five shots on goal, and posted a plus-one rating in 15:23 of ice time. He has recorded nine points (two goals, seven assists) in the last 19 games he has played, including six points (two goals, four assists) in his last 13 contests.
- Oscar Lindbergrecorded a goal, won three of six faceoffs (50.0%), registered two shots on goal, and was credited with two hits. Lindberg has recorded five points (three goals, two assists) in the last nine games, and he has registered a goal/point in two of the last three games.
- Brady Skjeitallied an assist on the game-winning goal in overtime and posted a plus-two rating in 17:45 of ice time. Over the last 16 games (since Jan. 19), Skjei has recorded 12 points (one goal, 11 assists) and a plus-13 rating, and he is the only NHL player who has registered at least 12 points and a plus-12 rating over the span. In addition, he has registered nine assists/points in the last 12 games, including eight assists/points in the last 10 contests. As of the conclusion of tonight's game, Skjei ranks fourth among NHL defensemen in even strength assists this season (23), trailing only Brent Burns (25), Duncan Keith (24), and Erik Karlsson (24).
- Mats Zuccarello tallied an assist, tied for the game-high with six shots on goal, and posted a plus-three rating. Zuccarello leads the Rangers in assists (32) and ranks second on the team in points (44) this season. He has recorded 24 points (four goals, 20 assists) in the last 28 games, and he has registered a point in 19 of those games.
- Nick Holden registered an assist and recorded two shots on goal in 21:27 of ice time. Holden added to his career-highs in assists (19) and points (28) this season.
- Jesper Fast notched an assist and tied for the team-high with two blocked shots in 15:16 of ice time. He has notched an assist/point in two of the last three games.
- Dan Girardinotched an assist in 20:21 of ice time in tonight's contest. The Rangers' alternate captain has registered three points (one goal, two assists) in his last eight games.
- J.T. Millerwon nine of 12 faceoffs (75.0%), registered two shots on goal, and was credited with two hits in the contest.