Rangers at Senators (Game 2): Postgame Notes

Team Notes

• ON POINT - Rangers defensemen registered five points (two goals, three assists) in today's contest. In addition, New York defensemen have tallied 14 points (five goals, nine assists) thus far in the playoffs this year.
• SHOOTING GALLERY - The Blueshirts recorded 48 shots on goal in today's game, as 17 of 18 skaters registered at least one shot on goal in the contest. The Rangers were credited with at least 48 shots on goal in one playoff game for the first time since Game 3 of the Eastern Conference Semifinals against Washington in 2012.
• SPECIAL TEAMS - New York outscored Ottawa, 2-0, on special teams in today's contest.
• HITTING MACHINE - The Rangers were credited with 43 hits in today's game, as 16 of 18 skaters registered at least one hit in the contest. As of the conclusion of today's game, the Blueshirts lead the NHL in hits in the playoffs this year (365), recording at least 30 hits in all eight games and 40 or more hits in six of the eight contests.
• SECOND HELPING- The Rangers outscored the Senators, 3-1, in the second period of today's contest. Through their first eight playoff games in 2017, the Blueshirts have outscored their opponents, 10-3, in the second period.
• WORKING OVERTIME - The Blueshirts have played at least one overtime game in eight of their last nine playoff series, dating back to the Second Round against Pittsburgh in 2014. The Rangers have also played at least one overtime game in 17 of their last 20 playoff series, dating back to the Eastern Conference Semifinals against Buffalo in 2007.

Blueshirt Breakdown

• Brady Skjeiposted the first multi-goal game of his NHL career (regular season or playoffs) by tallying two goals, registered four shots on goal, was credited with two hits, recorded two blocked shots, and posted a plus-one rating. He became the first Rangers defenseman to tally at least two goals in a playoff game since Brian Leetch recorded a hat trick in Game 2 of the Eastern Conference Semifinals against Philadelphia in 1995 (May 22, 1995), as well as the first Rangers rookie defenseman to tally at least two goals in a playoff game since Leetch in Game 4 of the Patrick Division Semifinals against Pittsburgh in 1989 (Apr. 9, 1989). He leads the Rangers with four goals in the 2017 Playoffs, and his four goals are tied for the most a Rangers rookie defenseman has tallied in one year in the playoffs in franchise history (Reijo Ruotsalainen - 1982). As of the conclusion of today's game, Skjei is tied for third in the NHL - and leads NHL defensemen - in goals in the playoffs this year.
• Ryan McDonagh tallied two assists, led all skaters with 11 hits, tied for the game-high with five blocked shots, and registered two shots on goal while skating in a team-high, 34:23 of ice time. McDonagh notched his 30th career playoff assist with the Rangers in today's contest, becoming the ninth player - and fourth defenseman - in franchise history to register 30 career playoff assists with the Rangers. The only three defensemen besides McDonagh who have tallied at least 30 career playoff assists with the Rangers are Brian Leetch, Brad Park, and Ron Greschner. The Rangers captain extended his point streak to three games (one goal, three assists over the span), and he has recorded five points (one goal, four assists) in the last five games. He ranks second on the Rangers - and leads team defensemen - in assists (four) and points (five) in the 2017 Playoffs. McDonagh's 11 hits were the most any Ranger has recorded in one playoff game since the NHL began to track hits in 1997-98.
• Mika Zibanejad tied single-game playoff career-highs with two assists and two points, won 16 of 27 faceoffs (59.3%), recorded two shots on goal, and posted a plus-one rating in 25:46 of ice time. He leads the Rangers in assists (five) and points (six) in the 2017 Playoffs. Zibanejad has notched a point in three of the last four games (one goal, four assists) and in four of the last six games (one goal, five assists).
• Michael Grabner tallied a shorthanded goal, registered four shots on goal, was credited with three hits, and recorded three blocked shots. Grabner is tied for second on the Rangers in goals in the playoffs this year (three), and he has registered 30 goals (regular season and playoffs combined) in 2016-17. In addition, Grabner has recorded eight points (four goals, four assists) in his last 14 playoff games.
• Chris Kreidertallied a goal, registered five shots on goal, and was credited with four hits in 25:46 of ice time. He leads the Rangers in playoff goals since the start of the 2012 Playoffs (21), and he also ranks 10th on the franchise's all-time playoff goals list. Kreider skated in his 73rd career playoff game with the Rangers in today's contest, tying Carl Hagelin for 10th place on the franchise's all-time playoff games played list (among skaters).
• Derek Stepan registered a shorthanded goal and led all skaters with six shots on goal in 28:41 of ice time. Stepan notched his 46th career playoff point with the Rangers in today's contest, tying Anders Hedberg for ninth place on the franchise's all-time playoff points list. In addition, he registered his 19th career playoff goal with the Rangers, tying Walt Tkaczuk for 11th place on the franchise's all-time playoff goals list. Stepan also skated in his 93rd career playoff game with the Rangers in today's contest, tying Tkaczuk for third place on the franchise's all-time playoff games played list (among skaters). The only skaters who have played more playoff games with the Rangers than Stepan has are Dan Girardi and Marc Staal, and the only three players who have appeared in more career playoff games with the Blueshirts than Stepan are Girardi, Staal, and Henrik Lundqvist.
• Jesper Fast notched a shorthanded assist, registered four shots on goal, and was credited with two hits while skating in a single-game career-high 24:43 of ice time. As of the conclusion of today's game, Fast leads the NHL in shorthanded points in the playoffs this year (two; one shorthanded goal and one shorthanded assist). He has recorded four points (two goals, two assists) in the 2017 Playoffs, including three points (two goals, one assist) in the last five games.
• Rick Nash recorded a shorthanded assist and registered four shots on goal in 23:55 of ice time. He has tallied 15 points (seven goals, eight assists) in his last 17 playoff games, dating back to Game 4 of the Eastern Conference Final against Tampa Bay in 2015.
• Brendan Smith tallied an assist, was credited with three hits, and posted a plus-two rating in 20:44 of ice time. He leads the Rangers in plus/minus rating thus far in the playoffs this year (plus-seven). In addition, he ranks second among Rangers defensemen in assists in the playoffs this year (two).
• Marc Staal skated in his 100th career NHL playoff game in today's contest, as well as his 100th career playoff game as a Ranger. Staal is the second skater in franchise history who has played at least 100 playoff games with the Rangers (along with Dan Girardi), and he is also the third player in franchise history