Rangers at Lightning 3.6.17: Postgame Notes
© Scott Audette
- WINNING WAYS - The Rangers' 42 wins in 2016-17 are tied for the second-most the team has earned through the first 66 games of one season in franchise history. The Blueshirts have registered at least 42 wins in their first 66 games of a season seven times in franchise history, and the only season in which the Rangers earned more than 42 wins through the first 66 games was 1971-72 (44). The Rangers are tied for second in the NHL - and rank second in the Eastern Conference - in wins this season. The Blueshirts have won 11 of their last 16 games (11-4-1 record over the span), as well as 14 of their last 21 contests (14-6-1 record over the span). The Rangers lead the NHL in wins since the start of the 2013-14 season (186), and the Rangers' 186 wins are the most in any four-season span in franchise history.
- ROAD WARRIORS- New York leads the NHL in road wins this season (23) and also leads the NHL in road wins since the start of the 2013-14 season (95). The Rangers have won each of their last four road games, eight of their last nine road contests (8-1-0), and 16 of their last 19 road games (16-3-0). The Blueshirts have allowed two goals or fewer in seven of their last nine road games (14 goals against over the span; 1.56 goals against per game). The Rangers' 23 road wins in 2016-17 are the sixth-most the team has recorded in one season in franchise history.
- BOUNCE BACK - Since Dec. 22, 2015, the Rangers have posted a 35-9-1 record in the game following a loss (regulation or overtime/shootout). New York has posted an 18-5-1 record in games following a loss in 2016-17.
- ONE AND WON - Since Jan. 7, 15 of the Rangers' 25 games have been decided by one goal. The Rangers have earned at least one point in each of the last 12 games they have played which were decided by one goal, dating back to Jan. 22 (11-0-1 record over the span). The Blueshirts have posted a 20-7-2 record in one-goal games this season and rank second in the NHL in winning percentage in one-goal games in 2016-17 (.690).
- WORKING OVERTIME - Four of the Rangers' last eight games have been decided in either overtime or a shootout. The Blueshirts have posted an 8-2 record in games decided after regulation this season, including a 5-0 record in games decided in the five-minute overtime period.
- KILL ZONE - New York was 6-for-6 (8:45) on the penalty kill in tonight's game. The Rangers successfully killed off six power play opportunities for the opponent in one game for the first time since Mar. 26, 2016 at Montreal. The Blueshirts have not allowed a power play goal against in each of the last three games.
- TWO GOOD- The Rangers have allowed two goals or fewer in regulation in 13 of the last 21 games and in 39 games this season. The Blueshirts have posted a 33-4-2 record in those 39 contests in 2016-17.
- LIGHTNING STRIKE - The Rangers have won each of their last four games against Tampa Bay (dating back to Dec. 30, 2015) and have outscored the Lightning, 15-5, in the four contests.
- MONDAY BLUESHIRTS - The Blueshirts have posted a 5-0-0 record in games played on a Monday this season.
- SHOOTING GALLERY - The Rangers recorded 34 shots on goal in tonight's game, and 14 of 18 skaters registered at least one shot on goal in the contest. The Blueshirts have recorded at least 30 shots on goal in seven of the last nine games, in 13 of the last 18 contests, and in 18 of the last 25 games.
Three Stars on Broadway
- Antti Raantastopped all 38 shots he faced, including all 16 shots he faced in the second period, to earn his 13th win and third shutout of the season. By earning a win and a shutout in tonight's contest, Raanta established a new career-high in shutouts and he tied his career-high in wins (he also earned 13 wins during the 2013-14 season with the Chicago Blackhawks). Raanta's 38 saves were the most he has made in any of his seven career NHL shutouts, and he is the first Rangers goaltender to make at least 38 saves in a shutout since Henrik Lundqvist on Jan. 16, 2014 vs. Detroit. In 18 starts this season, Raanta has posted a 13-3-0 record, along with a 2.03 GAA, a .933 SV%, and 3 SO, and he has allowed two goals or fewer in 13 of those 18 starts. Raanta has made at least 30 saves in 21 games in his career; he has posted an 18-2-1 record, along with a 1.90 GAA, a .948 SV%, and 3 SO in those 21 appearances. In addition, Raanta has started 11 games on the road in 2016-17, and in those 11 contests, he has posted a 9-1-0 record, along with a 2.02 GAA, a .938 SV%, and 2 SO.
- Mika Zibanejad tallied the game-winning goal in overtime and posted a plus-one rating in 18:37 of ice time. Zibanejad has registered two game-winning goals in overtime this season (also on Feb. 25 at New Jersey), and he has recorded the deciding goal in the contest (in either overtime or a shootout) in three of the last seven games.
- Ryan McDonagh notched the only assist on the game-winning goal in overtime and led all skaters with 26:28 of ice time. As of the conclusion of tonight's game, McDonagh ranks fifth among NHL defensemen in primary assists this season (20). He has led the Rangers in ice time in 58 of the 65 games he has played in 2016-17.
