Rangers at Sabres 2.2.17: Postgame Notes

Team Notes

• TOP TEN - Eight Rangers have registered at least 10 goals this season (Grabner, Kreider, Miller, Nash, Hayes, Vesey, Stepan, and Zuccarello). As of the conclusion of tonight's game, the Blueshirts are one of four NHL teams that have eight players who have tallied 10 or more goals this season (along with Washington, Minnesota, and St. Louis).
• WORKING OVERTIME - The Blueshirts have posted a 5-1 record in games decided after regulation this season, as well as a 3-0 record in games decided in the five-minute overtime session.
• WINNING WAYS - The Rangers' 32 wins in 2016-17 are tied for the fourth-most the team has earned through the first 51 games of one season in franchise history. The Blueshirts have earned at least 32 wins through the first 51 games of a season six times in franchise history (1971-72, 1972-73, 1991-92, 1993-94, 2011-12, 2016-17), and the only seasons in which the team earned more than 32 wins through the first 51 games were 1972-73 (34), 1993-94 (34), and 2011-12 (33).
• BOUNCE BACK - Since Dec. 22, 2015, the Rangers have posted a 31-8-1 record in the game following a loss (regulation or overtime/shootout). New York has posted a 14-4-1 record in games following a loss in 2016-17.
• SHOOTING GALLERY - The Rangers registered a season-high 44 shots on goal in tonight's game, and 17 of 18 skaters were credited with at least one shot on goal. The Blueshirts have registered at least 40 shots on goal in three of the last seven contests. In addition, New York has recorded at least 30 shots on goal in each of the last three games, eight of the last 10 games, and 11 of the last 16 contests.
• FABULOUS FEBRUARY - The Blueshirts have posted a 21-5-3 record in 29 games in February since the start of the 2014-15 season.
• TWO GOOD - The Rangers have allowed two goals or fewer in regulation in five of the last six games and in 31 of 51 games this season. The Blueshirts have posted a 26-4-1 record in those 31 contests in 2016-17.
• SPECIAL TEAMS - The Rangers have outscored their opponent on special teams in 20 games this season and have posted a 16-4-0 record in those 20 contests.
• POWER SURGE - New York was 1-for-3 (4:34) on the power play in the contest. New York has recorded a power play goal in seven of the last 15 contests (11-for-49; 22.4%). The Blueshirts have registered a power play goal in 22 games this season and have posted a 16-6-0 record in those contests.
• KILL ZONE - The Blueshirts were 3-for-3 (6:00) on the penalty kill in tonight's game. The Rangers have not allowed a power play goal against in five of their last six games (12-for-13; 92.3% over the span).

Three Stars on Broadway

• Henrik Lundqvistmade 36 saves, and stopped all 10 shots he faced while the Rangers were shorthanded, to earn his 22nd win of the season and the 396th win of his NHL career. He has allowed two goals or fewer in five of his last six appearances, and he has posted a 4-1-0 record, along with a 1.84 GAA, a .939 SV%, and 1 SO over those six appearances. In addition, Lundqvist has made at least 30 saves in 10 games this season; he has posted a 9-1-0 record, along with a 1.88 GAA, a .947 SV%, and 1 SO in those 10 contests.
• Chris Kreidertallied the game-winning goal in overtime in tonight's contest. Kreider registered an overtime goal in a regular season game for the first time in his NHL career (he recorded an overtime goal in Game 4 of the Eastern Conference Semifinals against Boston in 2013). He has recorded 20 or more goals in each of the last three seasons (2014-15 - 2016-17), and he is the only Ranger who has registered at least 20 goals in each of those seasons. Kreider is now one goal away from tying his career-high in goals (21 in both 2014-15 and 2015-16).
• Mats Zuccarello registered a power play goal and tied for the team-high with six shots on goal in the contest. Zuccarello leads the Rangers in points this season (39; 10 goals, 29 assists). He has tallied 19 points (two goals, 17 assists) in the last 18 contests, and he has recorded a goal in two of the last four games.

Blueshirt Breakdown

• J.T. Millerrecorded two assists, including an assist on the game-winning goal in overtime, registered four shots on goal, won seven of 11 faceoffs (63.6%), and posted a plus-one rating in 17:38 of ice time. Miller leads the Rangers in games with a point this season (29). He has registered a point in 12 of the last 14 games, recording 16 points (seven goals, nine assists) over the span.
• Ryan McDonagh tallied an assist, registered four shots on goal, and tied for the game-high with two blocked shots while skating in a team-high 26:19 of ice time. The Rangers captain has recorded 11 points (one goal, 10 assists) in the last 16 games, and he leads Rangers defensemen in points this season (29; two goals, 27 assists). McDonagh leads the Rangers in power play assists (10) and power play points (11) this season.
• Mika Zibanejad notched an assist on the game-winning goal in overtime and won 16 of 29 faceoffs (55.2%) in 19:25 of ice time. He has tallied an assist/point in each of the last two games (two assists) and has recorded four points (two goals, two assists) in seven games since returning to the Rangers' lineup.
• Alain Vigneault coached his 1,103rd career game in the NHL in tonight's contest, passing Billy Reay for sole possession of 17th place on the NHL's all-time games coached list. He earned his 598th career win as a head coach in the NHL.
• Dan Girardi skated in his 772nd career game with the Rangers in tonight's contest, tying Adam Graves for ninth place on the franchise's all-time games played list.