Rangers at Wild 3.18.17: Postgame Notes

Team Notes

• WINNING WAYS - The Rangers' 45 wins in 2016-17 are tied for the ninth-most in one season in franchise history. The Blueshirts are tied for the NHL lead in wins since the start of the 2013-14 season (189). The Rangers' 189 wins since 2013-14 are the most in any four-season span in franchise history.
• BOUNCE BACK- Since Dec. 22, 2015, the Rangers have posted a 37-9-2 record in the game following a loss (regulation or overtime/shootout). New York has posted a 20-5-2 record in games following a loss in 2016-17.
• BACK-TO-BACK- The Rangers have posted a 10-3-0 record in the second game of a back-to-back set thus far this season. In their last 95 back-to-back sets (since the start of the 2010-11 season), the Rangers have posted a 63-26-6 record in the second game of the set. The Blueshirts are currently playing an eight-game stretch comprised of four consecutive back-to-back sets. According to the Elias Sports Bureau, the Rangers are the first NHL team in seven years to play eight straight games that are part of four consecutive back-to-back sets (Carolina - Nov. 28, 2010 - Dec. 16, 2010).
• HOW THE WEST WAS WON - The Rangers have posted a 20-5-0 record in games against Western Conference opponents this season. The Blueshirts lead all Eastern Conference teams in wins against teams in the Western Conference in 2016-17.
• THE KIDS ARE ALRIGHT - All of the three rookies in the Rangers' lineup recorded a point in tonight's contest (Brady Skjei, Pavel Buchnevich, and Jimmy Vesey), and two rookies recorded a goal in the contest (Skjei and Vesey). Each player has tallied at least 19 points this season. Prior to this season, the last time the Rangers had three rookies who all registered 19 or more points in the same season was 1999-00 (Mike York, Jan Hlavac, and Kim Johnsson).
• THREE'S COMPANY - The Rangers have registered three or more goals in five of the last six games and in 43 games this season (includes team goals awarded for a shootout win).
• TWO GOOD - The Rangers have allowed two goals or fewer in regulation in 16 of the last 27 games and in 42 games this season. The Blueshirts have posted a 36-4-2 record in those 42 contests in 2016-17.
• ON POINT - Rangers defensemen have tallied 35 points (12 goals, 23 assists) over the last 18 games, and a Rangers defenseman has recorded a goal in 10 of the 18 contests. A Blueshirts defenseman has notched a point on 19 of the team's last 31 goals.
• ONE AND WON - Since Jan. 7, 19 of the Rangers' 31 games have been decided by one goal. The Rangers have earned at least one point in 14 of the last 16 games they have played which were decided by one goal (12-2-2 record over the span). The Blueshirts have posted a 21-9-3 record in one-goal games this season and lead the Eastern Conference in winning percentage in one-goal games in 2016-17 (.636).
• COMEBACK KIDS - The Rangers have posted a 16-13-1 record in games which the opponent has tallied the first goal of the game in 2016-17.
• WINNING ON THE WEEKEND - The Rangers have posted a 20-5-1 record in games played on a weekend this season, including a 10-3-0 record in games played on a Saturday.
• SHOOTING GALLERY - The Rangers recorded 30 shots on goal in tonight's contest. The Blueshirts have recorded at least 30 shots on goal in 11 of the last 15 games, in 17 of the last 24 contests, and in 22 of the last 31 games.
• HOT AT THE DOT - New York won 32 of 60 faceoffs in tonight's contest (53.3%).

Three Stars on Broadway

• Ryan McDonaghtied for the game-high with four blocked shots, recorded two shots on goal, and posted a plus-one rating while skating in a team-high, 26:14 of ice time in tonight's contest, and he was selected as the First Star of the game. The Rangers captain has led the team in ice time in 64 of 71 games he has played this season.
• Oscar Lindberg tied single-game career-highs with two points (one goal, one assist) and a plus-two rating, tallied the primary assist on the game-winning goal, and registered three shots on goal in the contest. He has registered 10 points (five goals, five assists) in the last 20 games, including four points (one goal, three assists) in the last six contests. Lindberg has posted seven multi-point games in his NHL career, including two multi-point games over the last games.
• Antti Raanta made 25 saves, and stopped 14 of 15 shots he faced over the final two periods, to earn his 15th win of the season. He added to his career-highs in appearances (27) and wins (15) in 2016-17 in tonight's contest. In 23 starts this season, Raanta has posted a 15-5-1 record, along with a 2.16 GAA, a .927 SV%, and 3 SO. Since he joined the Rangers prior to the start of the 2015-16 season, Raanta has started the second game of the Rangers' back-to-back set 16 times. In those 16 contests, he has posted a 10-4-1 record, along with a 1.97 GAA, a .931 SV%, and 2 SO.

Blueshirt Breakdown

• Brady Skjei registered a goal, recorded three shots on goal, was credited with two blocked shots, and posted a plus-one rating in 17:25 of ice time. He leads Rangers defensemen in even strength points (29) and ranks second among team defensemen in points (33) this season. Skjei has registered 16 points (three goals, 13 assists) and a plus-14 rating over the last 27 games.
• Jimmy Vesey recorded the game-winning goal, registered two shots on goal, and posted a plus-one rating. He is the first Ranger who has tallied at least five game-winning goals in his rookie season since Mike Ridley in 1985-86 (six), and he ranks second on the Rangers in game-winning goals in 2016-17.
• J.T. Millerregistered an assist and posted a plus-one rating in tonight's contest. Miller added to his career-highs in assists (32) and points (52) this season, and he leads the Rangers in points in 2016-17. He also leads the Rangers in games with a point this season (40). Miller has registered a point in 23 of the last 35 games, recording 30 points (11 goals, 19 assists) over the span. He has tallied a point in 33 of the Rangers' 45 wins this season, and the Blueshirts have posted a 33-6-1 record in games which he has notched a point in 2016-17.
• Mats Zuccarello recorded an assist, was credited with three hits, registered two blocked shots, and posted a plus-one rating in 18:47 of ice time. He extended his point streak to four games (two goals, three assists), and he has recorded seven points (two goals, five assists) in the last eight games. Zuccarello leads the Rangers in assists this season (37).
• Pavel Buchnevich registered an assist on the game-winning goal and posted a plus-one rating. He has recorded an assist/point in two of his last three games, and he has tallied four points (two goals, two assists) in his last eight contests.
• Adam Clendening tallied an assist and posted a plus-one rating in tonight's contest. He has notched eight points (two goals, six assists) in the last 18 games in which he has played.
• Mika Zibanejadled all skaters with 13 faceoff wins (13-for-16; 81.3%) and posted a plus-one rating in 17:24 of ice time in tonight's contest.
• Brendan Smith recorded two shots on goal and registered two blocked shots in 18:43 of ice time while skating in his 300th career NHL game in tonight's contest.