WINNING WAYS- The Rangers have earned at least 21 wins in their first 32 games of a season for the fifth time in franchise history (1941-42, 1970-71, 1971-72, 1993-94, 2016-17), and their 21 wins are tied for the third-most the team has earned through the first 32 games of one season in franchise history. The only seasons in which the Rangers earned more than 21 wins in the first 32 games were 1941-42 (22) and 1993-94 (22). New York leads the NHL in wins this season and is the only NHL team that has earned at least 10 wins both at home and on the road thus far in 2016-17.
BOUNCE BACK - Since Dec. 22, 2015, the Rangers have posted a 27-4-1 record in the game following a loss (regulation or overtime/shootout). New York has posted a 10-0-1 record in games following a loss in 2016-17.
POINT TAKEN - The Blueshirts have not been held pointless in two consecutive games thus far this season. According to the Elias Sports Bureau, the last time the Rangers went 32 games into a season without being held pointless in two or more consecutive games was 1971-72, when the team had its first two-game losing streak in games 68 and 69 of the season.
MAKING THE DIFFERENCE- The Rangers lead in the NHL in goal differential this season (plus-36) and have posted a plus-36 goal differential or better through the first 32 games of one season for the first time since (1993-94).
TWO GOOD - The Rangers have allowed two goals or fewer in regulation in 22 of 32 games this season, including nine of the last 11 games and each of the last five contests.
ROAD WARRIORS- New York is the first NHL team that has earned at least 10 road wins this season. New York leads the NHL in road wins since the start of the 2013-14 season (82). The Blueshirts have earned a win in nine of their last 12 road contests (9-3-0).
HOW THE WEST WAS WON - The Rangers have won 11 of 14 games against Western Conference teams this season (11-3-0), including six of seven games on the road against Western Conference teams (6-1-0).
SPECIAL TEAMS- The Rangers outscored Dallas, 1-0, on special teams in tonight's game and have outscored their opponent on special teams in 15 of 32 games in 2016-17.
KILL ZONE -New York was 5-for-5 (9:59) on the penalty kill and tallied a shorthanded goal in the game. The Rangers have not allowed a power play goal against in 16 of the last 21 games, including each of the last five contests. In addition, the Rangers have killed off 50 of their opponents' last 55 power play opportunities, dating back to Nov. 3 (90.9%). The Rangers have registered a shorthanded goal in two of the last four games, and are tied for second in the NHL in shorthanded goals this season (five).
SHOOTING GALLERY - The Rangers registered 30 shots on goal in the contest, as 14 of 18 skaters recorded at least one shot on goal. New York has recorded 30 or more shots on goal in each of the last four games and in five of the last six contests. In addition, the Blueshirts have outshot their opponent in each of the last six games.
STAR-STRUCK - The Blueshirts have earned at least one point in eight of their last 10 games against the Stars, dating back to Jan. 6, 2010 (7-2-1).
Three Stars on Broadway
Henrik Lundqvist stopped all 27 shots he faced, including all 18 shots he faced in the second period, to earn his 13th win of the season. Lundqvist earned his 387th career NHL win in tonight's contest, and he is two wins away from tying Dominik Hasek for the most wins by a European-born goaltender in league history. In his last 18 starts, Lundqvist has posted a 12-5-1 record, along with a 2.29 GAA and a .924 SV%.
Rick Nashtallied a shorthanded goal, which was the game-winning goal, and posted a plus-one rating while returning to the Rangers' lineup in tonight's contest. Nash is tied for second among active NHL players in career shorthanded goals (22 - tied with Antoine Vermette and trails Marian Hossa). Nash ranks second on the Rangers in goals this season (12). He has recorded 26 points (16 goals, 10 assists) in his last 26 games against Dallas.
Mats Zuccarello registered an empty-net goal and posted a plus-one rating. He has notched five points (one goal, four assists) in the last seven contests.
