Rangers vs. Devils 12.11.16: Postgame Notes

Team Notes

• GOALS GALORE - The Blueshirts have registered 105 goals in the first 30 games of this season. The Rangers have tallied at least 105 goals in the first 30 games of one season for the first time since 1995-96. New York leads the NHL in goals per game in 2016-17 (3.50). The Rangers have registered three or more goals in 20 of 30 contests this season, including 12 of 16 games at MSG.
• MAKING THE DIFFERENCE - The Rangers lead in the NHL in goal differential this season (plus-35) and have posted a plus-35 goal differential or better through the first 30 games of one season for the first time since 1993-94.
• HOME COOKING - New York has posted an 11-4-1 record in 16 games at MSG this season. The Blueshirts have earned at least one point in 73 of their last 96 home games, dating back to Oct. 16, 2014 (63-23-10 record).
• ON POINT- 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 30 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.
• TWO GOOD - The Rangers have allowed two goals or fewer in regulation in 20 of 30 games this season, including seven of the last nine games. New York has posted a 17-2-1 record when allowing two or fewer goals in regulation in 2016-17.
• SPECIAL TEAMS - New York has outscored its opponent on special teams in 14 of 30 games this season, and the Blueshirts have posted an 11-3-0 record in those contests. The Rangers tallied a power play goal and a shorthanded goal in the same game for the second time this season (also on Nov. 5 at Boston).
• POWER SURGE - The Rangers were 2-for-6 (8:52) on the power play in the contest. The Blueshirts have recorded a power play goal in 15 of 30 games this season.
• KILL ZONE - New York was 5-for-5 (8:56) on the penalty kill and registered a shorthanded goal in the game. The Rangers have not allowed a power play goal against in 14 of the last 19 games. New York is tied for second in the NHL in shorthanded goals this season (four).

Three Stars on Broadway

• Antti Raantastopped all 19 shots he faced to earn a win and a shutout for the second consecutive game. Raanta extended his shutout streak to 151:04, establishing a new career-high in the NHL. He is the first Rangers goaltender to earn a shutout in two consecutive appearances which were also two consecutive games for the team since Mike Dunham on Mar. 17, 2003 vs. NY Islanders and Mar. 19, 2003 vs. Buffalo. Raanta has also posted a shutout in two consecutive appearances for the first time in his NHL career. He has allowed two goals or fewer in each of his last nine starts (and in each of his last 10 appearances). In 10 starts this season, Raanta has posted an 8-1-0 record, along with a 1.52 GAA, a .945 SV%, and 2 SO.
• Chris Kreider registered two points (one goal, one assist) and recorded three shots on goal. He has tallied a point in five of the last six games, registering seven points (four goals, three assists) over the span. Kreider has recorded all of his eight goals and 16 of his 20 points in game situations when the Rangers have either led by one goal, trailed by one goal, or were tied in the contest.
• Brady Skjei tallied his first career NHL goal, recorded three shots on goal, and posted a plus-two rating. He is tied for second among Rangers defensemen in points this season (14).

Blueshirt Breakdown

• J.T. Millertallied a shorthanded goal. Miller is tied for the NHL lead in shorthanded goals this season (two). He has registered 20 points (eight goals, 12 assists) in the last 26 contests. He has recorded a point in 16 of the Rangers' 20 wins this season, and the team has posted a 16-1-0 record in games which he has tallied a point in 2016-17. He is two points away from registering the 100th point of his NHL career.
• Brandon Pirriregistered two points (one goal, one assist), including a power play goal, and recorded three shots on goal. Pirri is tied for the team lead in power play goals this season (four).
• Jimmy Vesey tallied a power play goal and recorded four shots on goal. He is one of three NHL rookies who have recorded at least 10 goals this season (along with Patrik Laine and Auston Matthews).
• Kevin Hayes recorded a shorthanded assist. He has tallied a point on three of the Rangers' four shorthanded goals this season, and he is tied for the NHL lead in shorthanded points in 2016-17 (three).
• Derek Stepan tallied an assist and posted a plus-two rating. He has notched 16 points (five goals, 11 assists) in the last 21 games, including 10 points (three goals, seven assists) in the last 12 games and seven points (one goal, six assists) in the last six contests. Stepan leads the Rangers in primary assists (11) and is tied for the team lead in assists (16) in 2016-17.
• Mats Zuccarello notched an assist. He has tallied four assists/points in the last five games. Since the start of the 2013-14 season, 149 of Zuccarello's 188 points have either been a goal or the primary assist on a goal (79.3% of his points have been primary points over the span).
• Ryan McDonagh tallied an assist while skating in a team-high 22:13 of ice time. The Rangers captain is tied for the team lead in assists this season (16), and he leads Rangers defensemen in assists (16) and points (17) in 2016-17.
• Nick Holden recorded an assist, and he is tied for second among Rangers defensemen in points this season (14).
• Kevin Klein tallied an assist. Klein has registered eight assists/points in his last 18 games (since Nov. 5), and he leads Rangers defensemen in assists over the span.
• Oscar Lindbergnotched an assist and won 11 of 18 faceoffs (61.1%).