BOUNCE BACK - Since Dec. 22, 2015, the Rangers have posted a 25-4-1 record in the game following a loss (regulation or overtime/shootout). New York has posted an 8-0-1 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 25 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.
WINNING WAYS - The Rangers have earned at least 17 wins through the first 26 games of a season for the fifth time in franchise history (1971-72, 1993-94, 2008-09, 2015-16, and 2016-17), and their 17 wins are tied for the second-most through the first 26 contests of a season in franchise history. The only season in which the Rangers earned more than 17 wins through the first 26 games was 1993-94 (18).
GOALS GALORE- The Blueshirts have recorded 95 goals through the first 26 games of the 2016-17 season. The Rangers have tallied at least 95 goals in the first 26 games of one season for the first time since 1993-94. New York leads the NHL in goals per game in 2016-17 (3.65).
HOME COOKING - New York has posted a 10-4-1 record in 15 games at MSG this season. The Blueshirts have earned at least one point in 72 of their last 95 home games, dating back to Oct. 16, 2014 (62-23-10 record).
TWO GOOD- The Rangers have allowed two goals or fewer in regulation/overtime in 17 of their last 23 games.
FULL HOUSE - Today's game was the Rangers' 200th consecutive regular season sellout and the Blueshirts' 241st consecutive sellout (regular season and playoffs combined). The Rangers' sellout streak dates back to Nov. 3, 2011.
KILL ZONE - The Rangers were 3-for-3 (6:00) on the penalty kill in today's contest. The Blueshirts have not allowed a power play goal against in 11 of the last 15 games.
THREE'S COMPANY - The Rangers have tallied three or more goals in 19 of 26 games this season.
Three Stars on Broadway
Derek Stepan tallied three points (one goal, two assists), led all skaters with five shots on goal, and posted a plus-two rating. He has registered 13 points (five goals, eight assists) in the last 17 games. In addition, he has recorded 23 points (nine goals, 14 assists) in 25 games against Carolina, including 20 points (nine goals, 11 assists) in his last 17 contests against the Hurricanes.
Chris Kreider tallied two goals, including the game-winning goal, recorded four shots on goal, was credited with four hits, and posted a plus-two rating. He has recorded a point in 11 of the 20 games he has played this season.
Henrik Lundqvist made 26 saves and earned his 12th win of the season. Lundqvist earned his 386th career NHL win in today's contest, passing Mike Vernon for sole possession of 13th place on the NHL's all-time wins list. He is three wins away from tying Dominik Hasek for the most wins by a European-born goaltender in NHL history.
Blueshirt Breakdown
Mats Zuccarello registered two assists and posted a plus-two rating. Zuccarello has registered a point in 14 of his last 16 games against Carolina, recording 18 points (four goals, 14 assists) over the span.
Michael Grabnerregistered a goal and posted a plus-one rating. Grabner leads the NHL in even strength goals this season (13), and he leads the Rangers in goals in 2016-17 (13). He has recorded 14 points (11 goals, three assists) in the last 18 games.
Brady Skjeitallied an assist and posted a plus-one rating. He leads NHL rookies in assists this season (13), and he is the first Rangers rookie who has registered at least 13 assists in the first 26 games of a season since Brian Leetch in 1988-89.
Kevin Klein recorded an assist, led all skaters with five blocked shots, and posted a plus-two rating. He has tallied seven assists/points in his last 14 games.
Jesper Fast tallied an assist and posted a plus-one rating. He has registered an assist/point in each of the last two games (two assists), and he has recorded eight points (two goals, six assists) in the last 16 games.
Dan Girardi tallied an assist on the game-winning goal and recorded four blocked shots in the contest.
