Rangers vs. Lightning 10.30.16: Postgame Notes

Team Notes

• HOME COOKING - The Rangers have posted a 5-1-0 record at home this season and have outscored opponents, 27-14, in their first six games at MSG in 2016-17. The Blueshirts have earned at least one point in 66 of their last 86 home games, dating back to Oct. 16, 2014 (57-20-9 record). In addition, the Rangers have posted a 32-11-4 record at MSG since the start of last season. Since the start of the 2015-16 season, the Rangers lead the NHL in wins (32), goals for (157), and goals per game (3.34) at home.
• SECOND HELPING - The Blueshirts outscored the Lightning, 4-0, in the second period of tonight's contest. The Rangers have outscored their opponents, 16-5, in the second period through the first nine games this season.
• DÉJÀ VU - Prior to Michael Grabner's hat trick, the last Ranger who tallied a hat trick at MSG was Mats Zuccarello, who did so one year ago today (Oct. 30, 2015 vs. Toronto).
• GOALS GALORE - New York has recorded 35 goals through the first nine games of the 2016-17 season (3.89 goals per game). The Rangers have registered five or more goals in four of the nine contests, including four of six games at MSG.
• STRONG FINISH - The Rangers outscored Tampa Bay, 6-1, over the final two periods of tonight's game. Over the last five games, the Rangers have outscored their opponents, 18-4, during the second period and third period (12-3 in the second period, 6-1 in the third period).
• THREE'S COMPANY - New York has tallied three or more goals in six of nine games this season, including five of six games at MSG.
• TWO GOOD - The Blueshirts have won 31 of the last 32 games in which they allowed two goals or fewer, dating back to Dec. 15, 2015 (31-1-0). The Rangers have allowed two goals or fewer in five of the last six games.
• SHOOTING GALLERY - New York registered 37 shots on goal in tonight's contest, as 15 different skaters recorded at least one shot on goal.
• LIGHTNING STRIKE - The Rangers have earned at least one point in 16 of their last 21 home games against Tampa Bay, dating back to the start of the 2005-06 season (13-5-3 record over the span).

Three Stars on Broadway

• Michael Grabner recorded his third career NHL hat trick, led all skaters with six shots on goal, and tied a single-game career-high with a plus-four rating. He registered a hat trick for the first time since Feb. 13, 2011 at Buffalo, when he was a member of the New York Islanders. Grabner has recorded six points (five goals, one assist) in six home games in 2016-17.
• Antti Raanta stopped 31 of 32 shots he faced to earn his second win of the season. In 33 career NHL appearances at home, Raanta has posted a 21-4-4 record, along with a 1.85 GAA, a .933 SV%, and 4 SO.
• Rick Nash tallied two points (one goal, one assist), including the first goal of the game, and posted a plus-two rating. He has registered seven points (four goals, three assists) in the last seven games, including six points (three goals, three assists) in the last five contests. Nash has posted three multi-point games over the last five contests. He has tallied 397 goals in his NHL career.

Blueshirt Breakdown

• Ryan McDonagh tallied an assist, recorded five shots on goal, and posted a plus-two rating while skating in a team-high 23:29 of ice time. The Rangers captain extended his assist/point streak to seven games (eight assists over the span), and both streaks are career-highs. According to the Elias Sports Bureau, McDonagh is the first Rangers defenseman to post a seven-game assist streak since Brian Leetch from Nov. 16, 1996 - Dec. 1, 1996, and he is the first Rangers defenseman to post a seven-game point streak since Leetch from Nov. 23, 2003 - Dec. 4, 2003. Also according to the Elias Sports Bureau, McDonagh is the first Ranger to tally a seven-game assist streak since Scott Gomez from Nov. 5, 2007 - Nov. 17, 2007.
• J.T. Millertied a single-game career-high with three points (one goal, two assists) and established a single-game career-high with a plus-four rating. He has registered a point in six of the Rangers' first nine games in 2016-17, including each of the Blueshirts' six wins. Miller has recorded nine points (three goals, six assists) in the first nine games of the season.
• Kevin Hayes established a single-game career-high with three assists, and tied single-game career-high with three points and a plus-four rating. He has registered four points (one goal, three assists) in the last three contests.
• Jimmy Vesey registered a goal and posted a plus-two rating. He has tallied six points (five goals, one assist) in the last seven games and five points (four goals, one assist) in the last five games.
• Brady Skjeitallied an assist, was credited with two blocked shots, and posted a plus-one rating in 16:02 of ice time. He is tied for second among Rangers defensemen in assists (three) and points (three) this season.
• Nick Holden notched an assist, was credited with three hits, recorded two shots on goal, and posted a plus-three rating. Holden leads the Rangers in plus/minus rating this season (plus-eight).
• Dan Girardiregistered an assist, recorded three shots on goal, and posted a plus-two rating. He has tallied a point in three of the six games he has played in 2016-17 (one goal, two assists), and he is tied for second among Rangers defensemen in points this season (three).