Rangers vs. Hurricanes 12.3.16: Pregame Notes
© Jared Silber
TONIGHT'S GAME
The Rangers play their 26th game of the 2016-17 season tonight against the Carolina Hurricanes at Madison Square Garden (1:00 p.m. ET - TV: MSG Network; Radio: ESPN 98.7 FM). The Blueshirts have won 15 of their last 23 games (15-7-1), including 14 of their last 21 games (14-6-1) and 11 of their last 17 games (11-5-1). The Rangers have posted a 16-8-1 record this season.
RANGERS VS. HURRICANES
RANGERS-HURRICANES CONNECTIONS
INDIVIDUAL CAREER STATISTICS VS. HURRICANES
WINNING WAYS
This season, the Rangers have earned at least 16 wins in their first 25 games of a season for the ninth time in franchise history, and their 16 wins in 2016-17 are tied for the fourth-most they have earned through 25 games of one season in franchise history. New York is tied for the NHL lead in wins this season (16 - tied with Chicago and Montreal). The Rangers are the only NHL team that has earned at least seven wins at home and seven wins on the road 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.
BOUNCE BACK
Since Dec. 22, 2015, the Rangers have posted a 24-4-1 record in the game following a loss (regulation or overtime/shootout). New York has posted a 7-0-1 record in games following a loss in 2016-17.
GOALS GALORE
The Rangers have registered 91 goals through the first 25 games of the 2016-17 season. New York has recorded at least 91 goals in the first 25 contests of a season for the first time since 1993-94. The Rangers lead the NHL in goals per game this season (3.64).
MAKING THE DIFFERENCE
The Rangers lead the NHL in goal differential this season (plus-28; 91 goals for, 63 goals against).
HOME COOKING
New York has posted a 9-4-1 record in 14 games at MSG this season. The Blueshirts have earned at least one point in 71 of their last 94 home games, dating back to Oct. 16, 2014 (61-23-10 record).
TOP TEN
The Rangers are one of two NHL teams that have three players who have registered 10 or more goals this season (Michael Grabner, Rick Nash, and Kevin Hayes have all tallied 10 or more goals thus far in 2016-17).
TWO GOOD
The Rangers have allowed two goals or fewer in regulation/overtime in 16 of their last 22 games. New York is tied for 10th in the NHL in goals against per game this season (2.48).
ON POINT
Two Rangers defensemen (Ryan McDonagh and Marc Staal) recorded a goal in the same game for the first time this season on Dec. 1 at Buffalo. Three Blueshirts defensemen have tallied a goal over the last two games (McDonagh, Staal, and Nick Holden).
HERITAGE JERSEY
The Rangers are expected to wear their heritage jersey in tomorrow's game. New York has posted a 14-7-3 record when wearing its heritage jersey since the start of the 2014 15 season. The Rangers wore their heritage jersey for the first time on Nov. 17, 2010 against Boston.
KING HENRIK
Henrik Lundqvist has posted a 10-4-1 record, along with a 2.33 GAA, a .923 SV%, and 1 SO in his last 15 starts. He is one of 10 goaltenders in NHL history who have earned at least 350 career wins and 60 career shutouts. Lundqvist enters the contest with 385 career NHL wins, and he is one win away from passing Mike Vernon for sole possession of 13th place on the NHL's all-time wins list.
UP FOR GRABS
Michael Grabner leads the NHL in even strength goals (12), is tied for the NHL lead in plus/minus rating (plus-18), and is tied for sixth in the NHL in goals (12) in 2016-17. Grabner has registered 13 points (10 goals, three assists) and a plus-16 rating in the last 17 games.
IT'S MILLER TIME
J.T. Miller has recorded a point in 14 of the Rangers' 16 wins in 2016-17, and the Blueshirts have posted a 14-0-0 record in games which he has tallied a point this season.
HEY HEY HAYES
Kevin Hayes is the only NHL player who has registered at least 19 points and a plus-16 rating thus far this season. He is the first Ranger who has registered at least 19 points and a plus-16 rating through 25 games of a season since Martin Rucinsky in 2003-04.
SKJEI HEY KID
Brady Skjei is the first Rangers rookie who has registered 12 or more assists within the first 25 games of a season since Brian Leetch in 1988-89. He is tied for first among NHL rookies in assists this season (12), and he is also tied for ninth among all NHL defensemen in assists in 2016-17.
RICK ROLLING
Rick Nash has recorded a goal/point in four of the last six games, tallying six points (four goals, two assists) over the span. He leads the Rangers in power play goals (four), power play points (six), and shots on goal (72), and he ranks second in goals (11) this season.
VESEY DOES IT
Jimmy Vesey ranks third among NHL rookies in goals this season (eight), trailing only Patrik Laine and Auston Matthews. He is also tied for first among NHL rookies in game-winning goals in 2016-17 (three).
SPECIAL TEAMS
The Blueshirts are one of three NHL teams (and the only Eastern Conference team) that have a 23.0% power play efficiency or better and a 84.0% penalty kill efficiency or better this season (along with Nashville and St. Louis). The Rangers have outscored their opponent on special teams in 12 of 25 games this season.
Power Play:
Penalty Kill:
UPCOMING MILESTONES
INJURIES (49 Man-Games Lost to Injury)
RECENT TRANSACTIONS
None
THIS DAY IN RANGERS HISTORY
- Dec. 2, 2001 - Mike Richter stopped all 20 shots he faced to earn the final shutout of his NHL career as the Rangers defeated the Tampa Bay Lightning, 1-0, at MSG. Brian Leetch tallied the only goal of the contest.
- Dec. 3, 1947 - The Rangers held a ceremony to honor Lester Patrick for his contributions to the team. The ceremony was the first time a member of the Rangers organization had a ceremony or night dedicated to him in franchise history.
- Dec. 3, 1977 - The Blueshirts posted a shutout for the second consecutive game on the road, as John Davidson made 30 saves and Ed Johnstone tallied three points (two goals, one assist) in a 4-0 win against the Minnesota North Stars.
- Dec. 3, 2002 - Pavel Bure registered his 20th and final career NHL hat trick, tallying four points (three goals, one assist) as the Rangers defeated the Columbus Blue Jackets, 5-3, at MSG.
- Dec. 3, 2006 - Brendan Shanahan tallied his 18th and final career NHL hat trick, as he recorded one even strength goal, one power play goal, and one shorthanded goal against the New York Islanders at MSG.
